Energy Research Intern

The WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition (WRI Polsky Energy Center) delivers pragmatic, scalable and urgently needed solutions to achieve a clean, abundant, affordable and reliable energy future. Harnessing WRI’s renowned analytical power, convening ability and global expertise, the WRI Polsky Energy Center works with governments, utilities, companies, financial institutions and civil society to find bold solutions to the barriers that stand in the way of the energy transition, including modernizing grids, unlocking financing, sourcing critical minerals responsibly and building a future-ready workforce.

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

As an intern supporting the WRI Polsky Energy Center’s global research and data function, you will gain hands‑on experience developing high‑impact research to advance the clean energy transition. This role offers exposure to applied research careers in a non‑profit setting, with opportunities to see how research translates into real‑world impact.

The internship includes both research support and project coordination responsibilities.

• Support the development of one or more major research products, which may include the WRI Polsky Energy Center’s flagship report on electricity demand growth and/or other reports on topics such as clean industrial heat, electric transport as a grid asset, or critical minerals, depending on program needs and the intern’s interest and expertise
• Tasks may include literature reviews, data gathering and analysis, research synthesis, drafting content, fact‑checking, and quality assurance

Project coordination:

• Coordinate team meetings, including scheduling, agendas, notes, and action items
• Organize knowledge‑sharing events like brownbags and research seminars
• Support knowledge management and documentation systems
• Facilitate communication across WRI's global research network

Through this internship you will:

• Deepen your knowledge of energy transition challenges such as large load growth, grid modernization, critical minerals, and workforce issues
• Gain exposure to how rigorous, independent research is produced and used to create impact by a mission‑driven, non‑profit organization
• Gain experience coordinating across global, multidisciplinary research teams
• Develop skills in research design, data analysis, and project coordination

• Enrollment in or recent completion of a master’s or PhD program in a relevant field (e.g. energy, environmental science, economics, public policy, engineering, sustainability)
• Familiarity with one or more of the priority themes of the WRI Polsky Energy Center:
  Transmission and distribution infrastructure; finance; critical minerals; large buyer energy demand; clean energy siting; energy entrepreneurship and workforce issues.
• Skills in research design, data analysis, and project coordination

The pay for this internship opportunity is $20/hourfor undergrads; $22/hour for graduates and $24/hour for PhD students.

This is a full-time 3 month internship.

• This is a hybrid internship that will be based out of our Washington D.C. office.
• You will be required to work in the Washington DC office at least 8 days per month.

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