US Institute of Peace Internships: Opportunities for Aspiring Peacebuilders

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and related organizations like EarthScope Consortium offer various internship programs, providing invaluable opportunities for students and recent graduates interested in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and related fields. These internships provide practical experience, skill development, and exposure to real-world challenges.

US Institute of Peace Research Assistantships

The USIP, a premier peacebuilding organization with over 40 years of experience, offers Research Assistant (RA) positions. These roles provide support to fellows, experts, and teams within the USIP, advancing specific goals and programs. RAs contribute to in-depth studies on particular issues or geographic regions, providing broad support to the organization.

Key Aspects of USIP Research Assistantships:

Compensation: RAs are paid an hourly wage, ranging from $17.50 to $18.50 depending on their degree level.
Work Schedule: The positions offer flexible scheduling, with an average of 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during summer and school breaks.
Eligibility: USIP is open to hiring students attending colleges and universities both locally and in other states.
Application Process: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis to meet program needs. Interviews typically commence one to two months before the intended start date.

The USIP engages with a diverse range of stakeholders committed to peace or learning about nonviolent conflict resolution, including members of Congress, religious leaders, students, veterans, and leaders from around the world. Working as a Research Assistant offers a unique opportunity to contribute to this mission.

EarthScope Consortium Student Career Internships

EarthScope Consortium, dedicated to supporting transformative global geophysical research and education, offers the EarthScope Student Career Internship Program. It provides real-world work experiences for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates (within one year of graduation at the time of application), aligning with their academic and career objectives. Project managers guide interns, offering insights into working within a non-profit organization that facilitates geoscience research and education.

Key Features of EarthScope Internships:

Eligibility: The program is open to undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates (within 1 year of graduating at time of application). International students should verify their eligibility with their university's international student office.
Duration and Location: Internships are full-time for at least 11 weeks, with many positions offering remote options. Some positions may require in-person work.
Compensation: Career interns receive a weekly stipend of $800.
Learning Opportunities: EarthScope provides formal and informal learning opportunities, including team meetings and company-wide gatherings.
Application Timeline: Applications are typically due each year on February 15th. Applications for summer 2025 are closed. Applications for 2026 will open in late fall.

Types of EarthScope Internship Positions:

EarthScope offers a variety of internship roles, each with specific responsibilities and skill requirements. Some examples include:

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Science Communication Intern: This role involves creating content for outreach-focused science communication to broad audiences and highlighting EarthScope’s science-support activities to stakeholder communities. Tasks include contributing to news stories and science summaries, creating social media content, updating webpages, and designing graphics and videos.
Geophysics and Education Intern: This intern is responsible for data processing, data presentation, technical support documentation, and educational resources development related to geophysics.
Cloud Research OnRamp JupyterHub Intern: This position focuses on assisting in the development of the EarthScope JupyterHub platform to make cloud-based geophysical research more accessible.
Seismic Instrumentation Intern: Working within the Sensor Group, this intern tests and evaluates the performance of seismic instrumentation at the EarthScope Primary Instrument Center (EPIC).
Project Management Intern: This intern supports EarthScope’s Project Management Office (PMO) by assisting in the planning, scheduling, and coordination of ongoing projects.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Intern: This role focuses on unlocking the potential of fiber optic sensing technology for applications in seismology, volcanology, glaciology, marine, and environmental monitoring.

Benefits of EarthScope Internships:

Real-World Experience: Interns are assigned real-world work with an impact on the organization and the community it serves.
Training and Development: Interns receive appropriate training, including compliance and safety training if needed. They also collaborate with their manager to develop a work and learning plan.
Networking Opportunities: Interns have the opportunity to participate in in-person orientation activities, including team-building, field trips, and professional development, as well as networking with EarthScope staff.
Career Advancement: Career intern alumni are added to the internal EarthScope job list, giving them priority access to available positions.

Additional Opportunities: The USIP-DSCU Summer Scholar Fellowship

The USIP-DSCU Summer Scholar Fellowship supports Ph.D. candidates completing summer field research and dissertation writing related to security cooperation. While applications for 2025 are closed, this fellowship represents another avenue for those pursuing advanced research in relevant fields. The USIP's Peace Scholar Fellowship program awards non-residential fellowships to Ph.D. candidates at universities who are writing doctoral dissertations on topics related to conflict management, peacebuilding and security studies. All applicants must be Ph.D. candidates at the time of application.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

For both USIP Research Assistant positions and EarthScope internships, a strong application is crucial. Here are some tips:

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience: Carefully review the job descriptions and tailor your application to emphasize the skills and experiences that align with the specific requirements of each position.
Showcase Your Passion: Express your genuine interest in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, or geoscience, and explain why you are drawn to the specific organization and role.
Provide Concrete Examples: Use specific examples from your academic, professional, or volunteer experiences to demonstrate your skills and accomplishments.
Pay Attention to Detail: Proofread your application materials carefully to ensure they are free of errors.
Follow Instructions: Adhere to all application guidelines and deadlines. For EarthScope internships, complete the application within the Submittable system.

USIP's Broader Engagement

USIP's engagement extends beyond internships, encompassing a range of activities aimed at promoting peace and understanding. The Institute hosts and engages with stakeholders committed to working for peace or learning about nonviolent conflict resolution, including members of Congress, religious leaders, students, veterans, and leaders from around the world. USIP also provides proven approaches, practical policy research, and a platform to convene diverse stakeholders. For example, USIP is closely following the situation in the Philippines, recognizing its importance as an ally in the Indo-Pacific, and analyzing the upcoming elections in the Bangsamoro region. USIP also provides free online courses through the Gandhi-King Global Academy and produces new and archival research and analysis.

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