About the Program:
WRIโs Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition speeds up the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive energy future by helping to build clean energy markets and change institutions. The U.S. Energy team focuses on the US energy transition and decarbonization of the power sector, with a focus of working with local and state governments, large energy buyers, utilities, regulators, NGOs, and others.
Our team accelerates the deployment of clean energy technologies by addressing barriers, replicating successful models, and supporting policies or programs to accelerate adoption and achieve 100% clean energy in the power sector. WRI also undertakes research to support action, covering approaches to: overcoming barriers to clean energy development, expanding wholesale markets and the grid to enable the energy transition, accelerating electrification, and meeting the demand for critical minerals while protecting people and nature.
We focus on removing market and institutional barriers to clean energy deployment through efforts to enable state and local stakeholders to advance clean technologies in light of current context, including growing electricity demand and the changing policy environment. We also lead initiatives under the Polsky Energy Center to address large buyer demand and load growth, siting, critical minerals and circularity and enabling grid expansion WRI integrates equity and social justice concerns into its work to ensure the clean energy transition benefits all.
This is a hybrid position which requires 4 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:
You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work. In this role, you will provide support to WRIโs U.S. Energy team, with a focus on advancing decarbonization in electricity generation and in addressing workforce development challenges in the clean energy sector. This intern position will provide support on a variety of topics related to clean energy, which could include:
- Addressing wholesale electricity market issues affecting deployment of commercial generating technologies
- Addressing financing issues related to First-of-a-Kind demonstrations of advance technologies
- Addressing planning and coordination issues that relate to RTO/ISOs and state agencies
- Research on electricity generation technologies, cost metrics and the modeling of net-zero carbon grids
- Research on barriers and effective strategies to support the growth of a highly-trained and inclusive clean energy workforce, particularly in the electric vehicle industry
- Research on defining and measuring various attributes of clean energy jobs, including location, number, job quality, skills required, by sector
- Collect and analyze secondary data on clean energy workforce and employment related indicators/metrics that are relevant for the topics above from different data sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Census, National Center of Education Statistics etc.
- Produce data visualizations including charts, summary tables, and maps to draw data insights for different research questions.
- Support webinars, activities and resources developed for the Polsky Energy Center
- You may support through research, content development and logistics. You may also translate complex research related to these topics into digestible documents and presentations. You may help with drafting and editing memos, background notes, slide decks, and web content; conducting literature reviews; creating data visuals and presentation decks; conducting outreach to project stakeholders and partners; developing project proposals and preparing reports for funders; producing webinars and virtual events; and assisting with other tasks as needed.
You will report to a Senior Fellow in this role and be supported by the U.S. Energy team, including staff across a host of projects. Your work with other team staff will be coordinated by your supervisor.
Internship Learning Outcomes:
Research (60% time)
- Conduct high-quality research on addressing electricity issues noted above, and workforce development related to clean energy deployment.
- Collect, clean, organize, analyze and visualize data in support of ongoing projects
- Research, draft, and edit case studies, memos, blogs, and WRI knowledge products and resources with support from WRI staff.Content development (30% time
- Communicate research on complex topics to internal audiences
- Write internal products, such as memos, and support development of external-facing products with manager guidance
- Assist with newsletters, articles, or other written materials
Logistics and facilitation support (10% time)
- Organize and carry out webinars and virtual events related to ongoing projects in collaboration with WRI staff.
- Assist with developing projects, guiding cohorts and learning groups, and reporting to funders
What you will need:
- Pursuing or recently completed a bachelorโs degree in economics, with a strong preference for those with coursework in energy economics, policy, and regulation
- Experience with research in electricity generation technologies
- Previous internship experience with government and/or nonprofit organizations
- Research, writing, verbal, and organizational skills
- Computer skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite
- Data and analytical skills, including ability to obtain, clean, analyze, interpret, and visualize data to derive meaningful insights and support decision-making
- Communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people and remotely with teams
- U.S. work authorization
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 part-time, 3-month internship with a flexible start and end date.
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 4 days per month.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with a cover letter by July 30, 2025. 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 peopleโs 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.
Our mission and values:WRIโs mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earthโs environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.
Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.
Our culture:
WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission, including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.
Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.
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