2027 PhD Policy internships in Cambridge

Company Description

Launched at the end of 2025, the Downing Battcock Institute at the University of Cambridge exists to strengthen bridges between academia and policy. We focus on major issues that are ahead of the policy curve, overlooked, or in need of fresh thinking.

Internship Description

DBI offers full-time, three-month internships for current PhD students. You will gain exposure to a broad range of policy areas, while developing skills in research, analysis, event organising, teamwork and stakeholder engagement. You will:

• Support the planning and delivery of policy-focused events and retreats.
• Conduct background qualitative and/or quantitative research and analysis on varied policy topics.
• Contribute to rapid evidence reviews, briefing notes and presentations.
• Act as rapporteur at events and support event write-ups and reports.
• Build your knowledge of how UK government works through your day-to-day interactions, research and guidance from the DBI team.
• Assist with DBI marketing and communications, including drafting social media, website and mailing content.

Where possible, we also invite interns to accompany us on a visit to Whitehall. Interns will be provided with a free lunch at Downing College on the days they are working on-site.

Internship Dates (2027)

• January - April
• April - July
• September - December

Requirements

• Current PhDs from across academic disciplines with the relevant research skills and a demonstrable policy interest
• Availability to intern on-site for three full months during at least one of the above date ranges
• Able to work from the DBI offices at Downing College, Cambridge
• Funding for the internship should be provided via the applicant’s funding body. For example, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) can allow PhD students to extend their current PhD by 3 months to gain work experience. Students continue to receive funding (their stipend) for the duration of their internship, and they can also apply for additional funding to support their participation, for example travel costs. All successful applicants must have permission from their supervisor(s) and their research funder to take three months out of their study, and to extend their PhD study accordingly.

Interviews with selected candidates will take place this November.