2027 Internship - Analyst/Researcher

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This internship focuses on applying analytical, research, data, or language skills to real-world problems within cyber operations. Interns will gain hands-on experience working alongside analysts, researchers, engineers, and cyber practitioners, contributing to real problems supporting cyber operations. The role involves investigating complex questions using various information sources and research methods, applying analytical methods such as intelligence analysis, targeting, graph theory, network analysis, data science, structured analytic techniques, or human-systems analysis. Interns will develop assessments, analytical methods, data products, visualizations, or decision-support approaches, and critically evaluate AI-enabled analytical tools. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and government partners is expected, with opportunities for interns to contribute their own ideas and perspectives.

Requirements

Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Intelligence Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Foreign Language, Psychology, Data Science, Statistics, Economics, History, or a related analytical discipline.
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Enjoy investigating ambiguous questions, identifying patterns and connections, evaluating evidence, and turning findings into useful insights.
Ability to critically evaluate analytical methods and tools, including AI-enabled approaches, and distinguish evidence-supported conclusions from unsupported assumptions.
Ability to effectively communicate information, concepts, findings, and ideas to technical and non-technical audiences.
Able to acquire an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a Top Secret with SCI level security clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on cybersecurity, vulnerability research, information security, networking, programming, or other technical experience that helps connect analytical findings to cyber systems and operations.
Academic, research, extracurricular, personal project, internship, or other experience in one or more areas such as intelligence analysis, targeting, open-source intelligence (OSINT), PAI/CAI analysis, geopolitical analysis, foreign-language analysis, data analysis, graph theory, network analysis, cyber threat intelligence, human behavior, or related fields.
Proficiency in a defense-critical foreign language or experience applying language and cultural knowledge to analytical problems.
Experimented with AI/ML, large language models, or AI agents for research, analysis, or automation and are interested in understanding their opportunities, limitations, and risks.
Demonstrated initiative, leadership, teamwork, or a willingness to take ownership of challenging problems.
Understanding of defense and intelligence missions, organizations, or processes through coursework, research, military/ROTC experience, internships, or other activities.

Responsibilities

Investigate complex questions using open-source information, publicly or commercially available information, data, intelligence, foreign-language sources, and other research methods.
Apply analytical methods such as intelligence analysis, targeting, graph theory, network analysis, data science, structured analytic techniques, or human-systems analysis.
Develop assessments, analytical methods, data products, visualizations, or decision-support approaches that turn complex information into useful mission insight.
Use and critically evaluate AI-enabled analytical tools and emerging methods, understanding both their potential and limitations.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary APL teams and government and contractor partners as analysis informs capability development and mission execution.
Contribute own ideas and perspective to the team.