We are hiring a Policy Data & AI Intern to build custom AI applications, design lightweight workflows, and synthesize policy research and data into clear, decision-ready deliverables. Join our team of experts producing insight and intelligence on how Washington works.

National Journal is a premier research and insights company helping organizations navigate Washington’s political landscape. Best known as a trusted media brand for more than 50 years, our expertise spans government affairs, communications, political research, and exceptional journalism. Our mission is to equip government and business leaders with the intelligence, insights, and connections they need to save time, increase efficiency, and deliver success.

What is the National Journal’s Presentation Center? We analyze, synthesize, and visualize policy and political information exclusively for senior public policy practitioners and government affairs executives. Serving a diverse membership of policymakers and leaders from the world’s top companies, nonprofits, and associations, we publish hundreds of easy-to-edit slides and charts each week. Leveraging this expertise, we also create custom content, delivering 40–60 bespoke deliverables tailored to our members' specific needs.

Why this role? You will gain hands-on experience working at the intersection of policy, data, and AI, contributing to research that informs senior decision-makers. You will leverage and build AI tools to support and enhance policy analysis, strengthening our ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights.

You Are The Ideal Candidate If You

Are an exceptionally organized team player with an “AI-first” approach to problem-solving.

Are excited by policy research and analysis, and driven to apply data and AI tools to strengthen insight generation.
Are a policy wonk conversant across multiple issue areas who is also excited by technical experimentation.
“Nerd out” on data outputs and enjoy identifying patterns, trends, and anomalies.
Enjoy building lightweight workflows or prototypes to scale our research capabilities.
Move comfortably between research, analysis, synthesis, and systems thinking.

In This Role, The Policy & Data Intern

Builds custom AI applications and workflows to support research, summarize reporting, and surface key insights.
Bridges editorial and analytical workflows, refining AI-assisted outputs into newsletter-ready insights.
Applies AI-driven approaches to synthesize datasets and reporting, contextualizing findings within broader policy and political trends.
Leverages AI and automation to create high-quality presentations and executive-ready visual summaries from diverse news and information sources.
Develops and deploys daily newsletters that spotlight the team’s content using AI tools.
Evaluates AI outputs for accuracy, handles administrative duties, and supports broader team research as needed.

Qualifications Of The Ideal Candidate

Current graduate or undergraduate student with an interest in politics or public policy (economics, statistics, data science, or a related quantitative field is a plus).
Experience working with datasets and AI platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude) to support research, data analysis, and policy insight generation.
Strong analytical and communication skills, able to synthesize complex quantitative and qualitative research into clear, accurate, and concise insights.
Proficient with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; highly skilled in creating graphical and visual representations of data for executive audiences.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive about testing and implementing new tools.
Entrepreneurial, creative, and resourceful problem-solver, with a prodigious work ethic and spirit of generosity for independent and collaborative work.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

$20 - $40 an hour

Employment Type: Internship (full-time)

Term: June 2026 - August 2026

Location: Hybrid schedule based in Washington, DC. National Journal operates on a hybrid schedule, with employees required to be in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. During the month of August 2026, teams will be fully remote.

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About Us

Across National Journal Group, generally, the firm looks for two “pillar gifts” in you, and everyone else. In all of us, these are more aspirational than actual, but they are central in our intentions:

Force of Ideas: At the center of National Journal Group work are the ideas within our writing. We believe that ideas – to the good and not – have consequences. Our highest work is bringing rigor, insight, intellectual honesty, to that ultimate purpose of separating the bad from the good, and giving voice to the latter.
Spirit of Generosity: National Journal Group seeks in its ranks a spirit of generosity – a natural disposition in each colleague toward service and selfless conduct. National Journal Group writing should be cut from the same cloth – critical on the merits but informed by charity and forbearance in measuring motive and personal character.

National Journal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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Policy Data & AI Intern