The Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI) at Princeton University is hiring Research Assistants (Internship)! Up to $25 per hour

BDI Research Assistant Internship: Contributing to Conflict Mitigation and Community Safety

About the Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI)

The Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI) at Princeton University is a non-partisan research initiative focused on tracking and mitigating political violence in the United States.

BDI works to create a future where communities are equipped to handle times of risk, address societal divides, and contribute to building a pluralistic, multi-racial democracy. By producing action-oriented research, enabling cross-sector collaboration, and driving policy and community responses, BDI plays a key role in addressing the long-term challenges related to political violence and democratic crises.

BDI is housed within the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) and is co-hosted by the Empirical Studies of Conflict (ESOC).

The initiative strives to empower local leaders with the data, analysis, and tools necessary to effectively intervene and prevent political violence.

Over the past five years, BDI has supported various actors in their efforts to prevent and respond to these challenges, helping decision-makers at both the national and local levels mitigate risk and foster resilience.

For more information, visit BDI’s website.

Research Assistant Internship Position Overview

The Research Assistant (RA) Internship at BDI is a remote, 12-month paid internship designed to support the organization’s strategic objectives. RAs will work directly with a BDI researcher or project manager, gaining mentorship and hands-on experience in conflict mitigation and peacebuilding practices.

The internship provides valuable skills in political violence research, open-source intelligence, digital safety, conflict analysis, and communication.

This program is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students interested in political violence, conflict resolution, and community safety. RAs will participate in professional development workshops and engage with a network of mission-aligned organizations, receiving continuous training in areas like digital security, briefing skills, and conflict analysis.

RAs are expected to commit to at least 10-15 hours per week, attend onboarding orientation sessions in early August, and work remotely from within the United States.

Key Areas of Focus

BDI is seeking multiple RAs to support various projects, allowing applicants to express preference for up to two areas of interest. These projects include:

1. State-Level Violence Mitigation Support

The State Leads at BDI monitor and analyze political violence risks across the United States. They provide real-time briefings and memos, supporting local groups by translating data into actionable insights. By focusing on specific states, BDI State Leads help build local resilience and foster collaboration among key stakeholders.

RA Role: State Lead RAs will assist in preparing state-focused Situation Reports, contributing to open-source monitoring and supporting local networks. This role requires excellent writing and communication skills. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in open-source monitoring and familiarity with one of BDI’s focus states: AZ, GA, MI, NC, OH, PA, TX, and WI.

2. Data Coding and Analysis

BDI’s research is driven by data. The Data RA will assist in updating data infrastructure, coding emerging trends, and performing quality assurance to ensure that the data collected is actionable and accurate.

RA Role: The Data RA will work with researchers to organize data, maintain datasets, and support data extraction tasks. Familiarity with R and Tableau is required, along with strong organizational and collaborative skills.

3. Data Library

BDI is developing a comprehensive data library to make political violence data more accessible and usable. This initiative will streamline access to important data and help identify gaps in research and analysis.

RA Role: The Data Library RA will help maintain the data flow and organization within the library, respond to partner information requests, and improve the interface and infrastructure. Proficiency with Google Sites and Drive and strong attention to detail are essential for this role.

4. De-escalation and Community Safety

BDI’s de-escalation project aims to provide tools and resources to mitigate conflict and enhance community safety. This project connects local stakeholders with peacebuilding resources to help them prepare for and respond to contentious events.

RA Role: RAs in this area will support the maintenance of a de-escalation map/directory, assist with collaboration efforts, and conduct additional research. A background in peacebuilding or conflict mitigation is preferred, as well as strong writing and organizational skills.

5. Media and Communications Support

The Communications team at BDI works to translate complex research into accessible messaging and media content. This includes digital content production, social media management, and public relations to help communities track and mitigate political violence.

RA Role: The Communications RA will assist in producing digital content, managing social media, and supporting the creation of research products. Skills in copyediting, data visualization, graphic design, or audiovisual production will be especially valued.

Qualifications and Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• Current 3rd or 4th-year undergraduate, or graduate student enrolled in a relevant field (e.g., Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, Sociology, Peace and Conflict Studies).
• Ability to commit to the full 12-month internship (August 2025 – July 2026).
• Ability to work remotely from within the United States.
• A commitment of at least 10-15 hours per week, including meetings, training sessions, and team collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in political violence mitigation and peacebuilding.
• Experience conducting desk-based research and analyzing complex data.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Independent problem-solving skills, with the ability to work autonomously.
• Strong communication skills, especially in a remote work environment.
• Familiarity with MS Office (Word, Excel), Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Forms), and common research tools like NexisUni and Google News Alerts.

Timeline and Compensation

• Start Date: August 4, 2025
• Commitment: 10-15 hours per week
• Compensation: $18.50 per hour for undergraduate students; $25 per hour for graduate students or those with a degree.
• Application Deadline: May 2, 2025

How to Apply

Interested applicants must complete the Google Form application and upload a resume. Applicants may also submit a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For questions, email [email protected].

Call to Action

The BDI Research Assistant Internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of political violence research, conflict resolution, and community safety. Interns will contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of political violence mitigation in the United States, all while receiving professional mentorship and skill-building support.

SEE FULL CALL HERE

This internship is ideal for students interested in making a real impact in the areas of conflict mitigation and peacebuilding.

Apply today and be part of a team committed to building a safer, more resilient future for all communities.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding