2027 Science Policy Fellowship

Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) • Washington, DC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI) is a congressionally chartered, Federally Funded Research and Development Center operated by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). STPI provides independent analytical support to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other federal departments and agencies on science and technology (S&T) policy issues. The STPI Science Policy Fellowship Program provides recent bachelor’s or master’s degree recipients a unique opportunity to use their critical thinking and analytic skills to work on a diverse set of challenges in S&T policy areas, including space sciences, innovation and competitiveness, energy, health and life sciences, national security, biotechnology, information technologies, and STEM education.

Requirements

• Recent recipients of a bachelor’s or master’s degree
• Bachelor's degree conferred between May 2025 and July 2027
• MA/MS degrees if bachelor's degrees were conferred between May 2024 and July 2026
• Degrees in engineering, life sciences, physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, computer science, mathematical sciences, statistics, and learning sciences are encouraged
• Strong interest in science and technology policy
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Able to contribute to and support team efforts
• Application materials submitted no later than January 4, 2027

Nice To Haves

• Previous policy experience is not required

Responsibilities

• Conducting survey-based and interview-based research
• Database development
• Use of data visualization tools
• Use of statistical techniques
• Other qualitative and quantitative methods to perform project-driven policy analysis
• Participation in analyses that support tasking from Federal Government policymakers
• Interaction with OSTP and other Federal science agency personnel
• Involvement in workshops and discussions on relevant topics
• Mentorship from members of the STPI research staff
• Training on specific analytical methods and tools
• Attendance and presentation at select professional society meetings

Benefits

• Diverse health insurance options
• 10% contribution to retirement
• 6 weeks 100% paid parental leave
• 20 days paid time off
• Relocation reimbursement
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Internal and external trainings
• Funding for researcher-pitched projects and publications
• Flex time
• Telework options
• Commuter benefits ($300/month)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree