Research Intern

This internship will be based in Philadelphia, PA, and begin in the spring of 2026. The hours and exact start and end dates are flexible to fit the intern’s academic calendar.

About FIRE

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought. Please visit to gain a sense of our work and mission.

Position Description

FIRE is looking for passionate, team-oriented, and driven undergraduates (rising juniors and seniors) or graduate students attending colleges and universities in the United States. FIRE offers a fast-paced and exciting work environment. Working at the headquarters of a national nonprofit, the student will be immersed in the general functions of running the office while learning about civil liberties in higher education from professional free speech advocates.

Responsibilities

FIRE is seeking an energetic undergraduate or graduate Research intern to aid its Research Department. The Research intern’s responsibilities may include:

• Coding qualitative features on datasets
• Summarizing news articles about speech controversies
• Gathering email addresses for survey work
• Performing literature reviews and summarizing existing research in memos
• Analyzing data
• Completing general intern duties such as answering phones, managing the general FIRE inbox, assisting with inventory, and helping with office management

Qualifications

A successful candidate will have:

• Previous qualitative or quantitative research experience
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent computer skills (Mac), including knowledge of MS Office and the Google/Gmail platform
• An understanding of and enthusiasm for FIRE’s mission
• An interest in learning more about research
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work independently

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coding in R, Stata, Python, SPSS, Tableau, or similar software
• Previous experience working for a nonprofit
• Student leadership experience

FIRE’s office is located near Independence Hall. Commuters who live outside walking distance can easily access FIRE through SEPTA regional rail, subway, bus service, or PATCO rail service. Parking is also available in the area at a variety of lots and garages for between $15 and $30 a day.

The Research Intern will work in a standard office environment. To perform job responsibilities, the intern will use personal computers, copy machines, and telephones. Some lifting of objects weighing up to 30 pounds may be required. On occasion, the intern may be asked to perform errands that involve walking to places within the immediate vicinity of the FIRE office.

Students will be evaluated at regular intervals. Highly successful candidates may be invited back for future intern experiences or may be offered a part-time position. However, further employment is not guaranteed.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

FIRE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.