We are hiring an AI & Automation Research Intern to build and apply AI tools, agents and automation to scale how our research is produced and delivered. 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 building and applying AI tools in a real-world policy and research environment, contributing to systems that directly support how insights are produced and delivered. You will work at the intersection of AI, data, and political research, with the opportunity to test, iterate, and see your work used in live outputs.
You are the ideal candidate if you:
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Are an exceptionally organized and analytical team player with an “AI-first” approach to problem-solving.Â
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Are excited by both research and systems thinking, and are driven by how AI can improve how work gets done.Â
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Enjoy experimenting with technical tools and building lightweight workflows or prototypes.Â
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“Nerd out” on data outputs and are interested in how automation, agents, and models can scale insight generation.Â
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Know when to shift between building, testing, and refining, and when to translate outputs into clear, usable insights.Â
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Are comfortable working independently while also collaborating with a team in a fast-moving environment.
In this role, the AI & Automation Research Intern:
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Builds and iterates on AI agents and automated workflows to support research, summarization, and content production.
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Leverages structured and unstructured data to improve speed, consistency, and quality of outputs.
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Develops and refines NLP-driven workflows to extract key phrases, identify key figures, and surface themes in large datasets.
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Supports the development of internal tools and templates to streamline team workflows.
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Designs, builds, and tests automations for repetitive tasks across slide creation and data collection, connecting sources and streamlining workflows.
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Evaluates AI outputs for accuracy, creates deliverable content, and supports broader research as needed.
Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate:
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Current graduate or undergraduate student, preferably in computer science, data science, engineering, or related field.
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Proficient with AI platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini); experience or strong interest in building custom workflows (e.g., NLP, Python, APIs).
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Strong analytical and communication skills, able to translate complex findings into clear, concise, audience-ready outputs.Â
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Proficient with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with structured and unstructured data; experience creating graphical and visual representations of data.
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Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive about testing and implementing new tools.
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Entrepreneurial, creative, and resourceful problem-solver, with a prodigious work ethic and spirit of generosity for independent and collaborative work.
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Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Employment Type: Internship (full-time)Â
Term: June 2026 - August 2026Location: 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 UsÂ
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:
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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.
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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.Â