The Downing Battcock Institute (DBI) offers full-time, three-month internships for current PhD students.
You will gain exposure to a broad range of policy areas, while developing skills in research, analysis, events organising, teamwork and stakeholder engagement. You will:
- Support the planning and delivery of policy-focused events and retreats.
- Conduct background qualitative and/or quantitative research and analysis on varied policy topics.
- Contribute to rapid evidence reviews, briefing notes and presentations.
- Act as rapporteur at events and support event write-ups and reports.
- Build your knowledge of how UK government works through your day-to-day interactions, research and guidance from the DBI team. Where possible, we also invite interns to accompany us on a visit to Whitehall.
- Assist with DBI marketing and communications, including drafting social media, website and mailing content.
Current PhDs from across academic disciplines who have the relevant skills, interest, and availability are welcome to apply.
Interns work hybrid from the DBI offices at Downing College, Cambridge.
For further information and to apply online visit: https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/DBIpolicy/policy-internships
Application deadline: 11.59am, 15 October 2026.
About the Downing Battcock Institute:
The Downing Battcock Institute exists to strengthen bridges between academia and policy. We work to shape public policy that confronts society’s biggest threats and most persistent challenges using rigorous evidence, global insight, and innovative approaches. We focus on major issues that are ahead of the policy curve, overlooked, or in need of fresh thinking. We also work to build a new generation of innovative and evidence-engaged policy entrepreneurs through our internships and skills building activities.
Find out more at: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/DBIpolicy