Research Intern

Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW); Delhi; On-site; INR 167,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

CEEW seeks a full-time intern in the Sustainable Food Systems team to support qualitative and quantitative research, contribute to policy-relevant insights, and help scale research impact.

The role involves coordinating across research streams, preparing briefings and presentations, and assisting with stakeholder consultations, project tracking, and knowledge dissemination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's in a relevant field for food system transformation.
• Analytical skills with mixed methods—qualitative and quantitative.
• Interest in international relations and policy research.
• Enthusiasm for cross-team collaboration and diverse research areas.
• Strong communication, oral and written, with active listening.
• Comfortable using AI tools to support research and analysis.
• Ability to deliver in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Responsibilities

• Support qualitative and quantitative applied research on varied food system issues.
• Prepare concept notes, briefing notes, and presentations; assist stakeholder consultations.
• Coordinate with teams, manage priorities, and track project progress.

Skills

Analytical skills

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

IR/policy research

Cross-team collaboration

Communication skills

AI tools usage

Adaptability

Discipline/time management

Education

Bachelor's / Master's degree in Public Policy/Development Studies/Economics/Social Sciences/Food systems/Global policy/ International relations/ Agriculture

Job description

CEEW seeks to hire a suitable candidate for a full-time intern position in the Sustainable Food Systems team to expand its capacity to conduct research and drive change. We are looking for a detail-oriented researcher with a hunger for impact and the ambition to make our food system sustainable.

The successful applicant will work across multiple teams within the Sustainable Food Systems programme, contributing to research on natural farming, SDGs, alternative development pathways, and development economics. The role will engage with areas including food systems transformation, agroecology, food security and nutrition, agricultural and rural economics, livelihoods, and related policy and governance issues, including through international platforms, research networks and global knowledge forums. The candidate should be prepared to contribute to related areas of research and take on additional responsibilities in response to emerging priorities and developments.

Responsibilities and Duties

Support the team in undertaking qualitative and quantitative applied research on varied food system issues, including conducting background research and analysis, preparing concept notes, briefing notes, presentations, supporting stakeholder consultations, and presenting research findings in a clear and coherent manner. The candidate will also support strategic communication with the Fellow and Senior Programme Lead, as well as project management across multiple research projects, including tracking progress, coordinating with team members, and managing priorities.

Selection Criteria and Key skills

• Bachelor's / Master's degree in Public Policy/Development Studies/Economics/Social Sciences/Food systems/Global policy/ International relations/ Agriculture or any other relevant field relevant for food system transformation.
• Analytical skills and knowledge of mixed methods – qualitative and quantitative research methods, relevant for impact evaluation
• Strong interest in and understanding of international relations (IR) and policy research
• Enthusiasm for cross-team collaboration and working across diverse research areas and teams
• Strong communication skills for effective, efficient, and adaptive verbal and written communication and active listening
• Comfortable using AI tools to support research, analysis, and day-to-day work
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to evolving priorities

Personality

• Willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to adapt to a new environment and deliver under tight deadlines in a professional environment
• Striving for rigour in research and quality in work output
• Ability to effectively work in a team while driving research with minimum assistance, when time demands independently.
• Ability to dig deeper into details, while also keeping a sense of the broader objectives and big picture
• Willingness to learn, grow and develop a personal and professional front, at a rapid pace with a steep learning curve
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment

CEEW operates in a dynamic environment, and the candidate will be required to show flexibility in undertaking a variety of tasks.

Compensation

Competitive compensation – commensurate to the experience and matching the best of standards adopted by industry or other similar organisations for similar roles.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We appreciate your interest.