We are inviting applications for our one-year 2026–27 research internship programme starting on 7 September 2026.

Our research staff spend their time thinking, talking and writing about how to make government more effective. They conduct research in a range of forms exploring themes across our work programme. Using that research, they develop recommendations for how government could better organise itself, develop and deliver policy, and evaluate and regulate its own activities.

Our research interns work across the research team, with each intern typically allocated to one of the themes in our work programme (e.g. civil service, devolution, public finances, etc). The precise nature of each individual internship will vary according to the needs of the projects that specific teams are working on, but key tasks include:

• Carrying out literature reviews
• Completing background research and conducting interviews with MPs, civil servants and others alongside colleagues
• Undertaking data analysis, including creating and updating charts and developing data visualisation skills
• Working with colleagues across the research and communications teams to organise and deliver the IfG’s public and private events
• Presenting research findings to colleagues
• Writing explainers and contributing to published reports
• Providing other forms of administrative support to the rest of your team as required.

For full details, including a person specification, please read the job application pack. We encourage all applicants to read the job pack before starting their application.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the time they apply. We are unable to progress or confirm offers for candidates whose visa or right to work documentation will only be available after the recruitment period.

The IfG is committed to supporting greater diversity and inclusion within our workforce, and to fostering an environment in which everyone feels welcome, supported and valued. We welcome applications from anyone who is interested in government and how to make it more effective, and particularly encourage applications from candidates who belong to groups currently underrepresented in the think-tank sector. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled candidates, and candidates from low-income backgrounds.