Applied Research Fellow

• The Decision Lab is an applied research and innovation firm that works with Fortune 500's and governements around the world to turn decision science into positive impact. Our work has been featured in places like the New York Times, Forbes, Bloomberg, H , etc. and products we've helped design are used by over a billion people.
• We’re also one of the largest applied behavioral science publications globally, with over 5M annual readers, focused on translating academic research into real-world impact.
• Finally, we collaborate with Academic Institutions (e.g. McGill, NYU, LSE, etc.) to publish peer-reviewed research in our focus areas
• We’re seeking late PhD-level Applied Research Interns to join us on a part-time basis. This role is designed for students whose internship or research placement is funded or sponsored by their university or an external academic program.
• This position is designed to expose you to both research and application, with the intended balance being approximately 40% consulting work and 60% research-focused work
• Remote-friendly, but prefer someone who can come to enjoy our Saint Henri office on the Canal!
• Length: 3-4 months

The Decision Lab is an applied research and innovation firm. We use behavioral science & design to help ambitious organizations create a better future. We do this by providing consulting services to some of the largest organizations in the world, carrying out research in priority areas, and running one of the largest publications in applied behavioral science. In the past, we have helped organizations such as the Gates Foundation, Capital One, the World Bank, and numerous Fortune 500s solve some of their thorniest problems using scientific thinking.

WHAT WE’VE WORKED ON

• Our collaboration with the World Bank – on incentive frameworks for knowledge-sharing
• Our work with Capital One – a study we did on helping Americans undo the effects of stress on financial decisions.
• Our insights – we are one of the largest publications in applied behavioral science
• Our biases – we provide resources for organizations to learn about how behavioral science works

This internship is structured as a mentored applied research placement, designed to complement graduate-level training and provide exposure to how behavioral science is used outside of purely academic settings.

Interns work on clearly scoped projects under the supervision of senior staff and contribute to ongoing research and consulting initiatives. The emphasis is on learning-by-doing, methodological rigor, and translating academic insights into real-world contexts.

Broadly, the role involves a mix of:

Research & Analysis (approximately 60%)

• Conducting structured literature reviews and evidence syntheses
• Supporting experimental design, measurement strategies, and analysis plans
• Assisting with behavioral diagnostics and research frameworks
• Contributing to research notes, working papers, policy briefs, or public-facing research outputs
• Participating in internal research discussions and reviews

• Supporting applied research projects with public- and private-sector partners
• Translating research findings into practical insights and recommendations
• Assisting with research-backed reports, presentations, or briefings
• Observing how academic research is adapted for policy, organizational, or technological contexts

The balance between research and applied work may vary slightly depending on project needs and the intern’s academic background.

Must-haves:

• Current late stage PhD student in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology, AI, economics, public policy, cognitive science, behavioral science, data science, or a related field)
• Familiarity with behavioral science concepts and methods, such as experimental design, causal inference, behavioral interventions, or decision-making research
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to engage with academic literature
• Clear written communication skills in English, particularly for research summaries and analytical writing
• Experience conducting literature reviews, research syntheses, or empirical analysis
• Ability to work independently on…