PolicyLab Intern

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Utah's PolicyLab Intern role offers hands-on exposure to state policy development during Utah's legislative process. Selected students will work part-time, about 10–12 hours per week, for two semesters, with compensation of $15 per hour.

Interns will observe the legislative process, contribute to a long-term research agenda, and develop policy briefs while translating scientific insights into actionable recommendations for Utah's Legislature.

Qualifications

• Strong research and writing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, self-driven and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with research databases and tools.

Responsibilities

• Observe the legislative process firsthand and contribute to a long-term research agenda.
• Execute independent policy projects and translate scientific knowledge into actionable legislative solutions.
• Design, build and maintain a research database for tracking tech policy developments across jurisdictions.
• Create stakeholder mapping tools and standardized templates for research briefs.

Skills

Strong research and writing skills

Excellent written and verbal comm

Proactive, self-driven

Independent & team work

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Undergraduate or graduate student in Utah

Attending a Utah institution of higher education

Tools

Research databases

Job description

PolicyLab Intern

Job Summary

PolicyLab serves as a core component of the Nucleus Institute'smission, bridging frontier research and state governance to deliverclear, actionable guidance to Utah's Legislature. This selectiveinternship is designed to cultivate the next generation of policyleaders, immersing students in the full arc of the legislativeprocess while distilling expert scientific knowledge intoreal-world policy impact.

Program Structure and Commitment

• This is a paid hourly position at $15 an hour.
• Interns are encouraged to work with their academic advisors toarrange for school credit based on their university'srequirements.
• Two semesters internship.
• Interns must remain students for the duration of theinternship.

Responsibilities

PolicyLab interns engage in a specialized, two-semester program.Responsibilities include observing the legislative processfirsthand, contributing to a long-term research agenda, andexecuting independent policy projects. Strong research and writingskills, an aptitude for systems thinking, and a commitment totranslating scientific expertise into actionable legislativesolutions are essential.

Key Responsibilities and Learning Objectives

• Framework Mastery: Complete training infoundational policy frameworks, including systems thinking, wickedproblems, and deliberative democracy.
• Legislative Learning: Connect with locallawmakers to gain firsthand understanding of statepolicymaking.
• Research Infrastructure: Design, build, andmaintain a comprehensive research database system for tracking techinnovation policy developments across various jurisdictions (local,state, national, international).
• Data and Analysis: Create stakeholder mappingtools, develop standardized templates for research briefs, and gaincompetence in research workflow and citation managementsystems.
• Applied Policy Research: Conduct comparativepolicy analysis (e.g., AI regulation approaches), supportevidence-based policy research through data collection, policydesign thinking, and policy evaluation.
• Cohort Leadership & Knowledge Sharing:Serve as a mentor and transition lead by training incoming interns,thoroughly documenting research workflows, and ensuring theprogram's sustained operational success.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, or equivalency.
• Current undergraduate and graduate students attending a Utahinstitution of higher education. We encourage students from allmajors to apply.
• Strong research and writing skills with the ability tosynthesize complex information accurately and concisely.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, self-driven, and able to work independently as wellas part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity withresearch databases and tools.
• Genuine interest in technology policy and innovation shapingUtah's future.
• Availability to commit to 10-12 hours per week for the durationof the internship.

Requisition Number: PRN17562N

Full Time or Part Time?: Part Time

Work Schedule Summary: 10-12 hours per week (flexibleschedule for independent work) Ability to travel to Salt Lake Cityonce per week during the 2027 legislative session.

Department: 02488 - Nucleus Institute

Location: Other

Pay Rate Range: $15.00 /Hr

Close Date: 11/27/2026