Policy Intern, Nucleus

Job Summary

PolicyLab serves as a core component of the Nucleus Institute's mission, bridging frontier research and state governance to deliver clear, actionable guidance to Utah's Legislature. This selective internship is designed to cultivate the next generation of policy leaders, immersing students in the full arc of the legislative process while distilling expert scientific knowledge into real-world policy impact.

PolicyLab interns engage in a specialized, two-semester program. Responsibilities include observing the legislative process firsthand, contributing to a long-term research agenda, and executing independent policy projects. Strong research and writing skills, an aptitude for systems thinking, and a commitment to translating scientific expertise into actionable legislative solutions are essential.

Responsibilities

• Framework Mastery: Complete training in foundational policy frameworks, including systems thinking, wicked problems, and deliberative democracy.
• Legislative Learning: Connect with local lawmakers to gain firsthand understanding of state policymaking.
• Research Infrastructure: Design, build, and maintain a comprehensive research database system for tracking tech innovation policy developments across various jurisdictions (local, state, national, international).
• Data and Analysis: Create stakeholder mapping tools, develop standardized templates for research briefs, and gain competence in research workflow and citation management systems (e.g., Zotero, Notion).
• Applied Policy Research: Conduct comparative policy analysis (e.g., AI regulation approaches), support evidence-based policy research through data collection, policy design thinking, and policy evaluation.
• Cohort Leadership & Knowledge Sharing: Serve as a mentor and transition lead by training incoming interns, thoroughly documenting research workflows, and ensuring the program's sustained operational success.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma, or equivalency
• Current undergraduate and graduate students attending Utah universities. We encourage students from all majors to apply.
• Strong research and writing skills with the ability to synthesize complex information accurately and concisely.
• Genuine interest in technology policy and innovation shaping Utah's future.
• Availability to commit to 10-12 hours per week for the duration of the internship.