Energy Research Intern

About the Program

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.

What you will do

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.

Research support:

• 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

Internship Learning Outcomes

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

What you will need

• 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

Compensation

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

Length of Contract

This is a full-time 3 month internship.

Location

• 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.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by October 16, 2026. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

About Us

World Resources Institute works to improve people's lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Internships at WRI are learning experiences designed for current students, recent graduates, and other candidates who wish to gain knowledge about a specific area of our work. We strive to attract diverse, intellectually driven candidates who have a passion for sustainability and development. WRI provides many internship opportunities throughout the year in all our programs.

WRI is committed to advancing gender, racial, and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.