2026 Summer Research Internship Power Sector Model Development

Position Summary

Do you want to begin a career in academic or policy research Are you interested in contributing to impactful balanced research that is aimed at improving environmentalenergyand natural resource decisions A summer research internship with Resources for the Future (RFF) might be right for you. The RFF summer internship programprovides an opportunity for studentstoprepare forcareers that engage in academic and policy-relevant research. Interns are essential members of the Resources for the Future (RFF) Research and Policy Engagement team. Theyare responsible forproviding technical support that under the direction of RFF Fellows allowsfor the production ofcompelling and impactful research that aligns with RFFs mission of improving environmental energy and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement.

Our research internships are a 10-week programpaid at $20-$26an hourfor up to 35 hours a week. Applications will be open untilFebruary20. Interviewswill be conductedbeginning in March with hiring decisions made byApril24. Internships will run fromJune152026through August21 2026. Start or end dates can be changed with an approved exception.

All internships will be conducted in RFFs offices in Washington DC.

RFFs mission is to improve environmental energy and natural resource decisions through impartial evidence-based economic research and policy engagement. We are committed to being the most widely trusted source of research insights and policy solutions leading to a healthy environment and a thriving economy. We envision a future where climate change no longer threatens our well-being and where smart environmental decisions help to uplift communities around the world. Our experts bring the brightest thinking to bear on our future while having shaped many of the worlds most successful environmental decisions and policies over the past 70 years. Our workbroadly centersonthe economicsanddesignofsmart strategies to reduce sectoral andeconomy-wide emissions of greenhouse gases and policies that confront climate change risks and build also increasingly emphasize issues related to equity economic transition and disaggregated climate and policy impacts not solely aggregate outcomes.

Project Summary:

Summer Research Intern (PAID):Power Sector Model Development

We are seeking an intern tocontribute to the development of one of RFFs electricitysectormodelsworking withAaron Bergman(Fellow)and McKenna Peplinski (Senior Research Associate II).The intern will support theRFFmodeling team thatcontributes to theEngineering Economic and Environmental Electricity Simulation Tool (E4ST) an open-platformpower sector model that simulates impacts of environmental and energy policies on the electricityor powersector ( construction ofnew wind projects). The internwill workwith our modeling team to help develop newcapabilitiesimprove policy representations and increase model flexibility and the intern may also be able to contribute to a policy analysisstudying how demand growth from electrification trends and data centers couldimpactthe power sector.

Qualifications Experience & Competencies

• Education: Priority is given to candidates enrolled inan undergraduate orgraduate program that is relevant to RFFs research and motivated candidates ineconomicscomputerscienceor related fields with interest in operations research or optimization and/or interest in energy electricityorthe environment are encouraged to PhDstudents with strong programming skills are preferredfor this position.
• Required: Experience in Julia Python or GAMS programming students must have experience with Julia.
• Required:Data analysis and data management skills and comfort working with large datasets.
• Preferred: Experience with optimization or linear programming.
• Preferred: Experience with power sector modelingand/or familiarity with power systems.
• Preferred: experience with energy system databases ( ATB NEEDS).
• Preferred:Experience with version control software (e.g. git) and package/environment management in programming.

All applications must besubmittedelectronically. Pleasebeginthe name of each file with your last name.

• Resume summarizingyour experiences and qualifications for the position

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job some standing walking sitting bending and carrying of light items such as books and papers is required.

Working Conditions

The work may involve everyday light risks and discomforts which may require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices meetings and training rooms etc. The work area is adequately lighted heated and ventilated. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position description may not describe all duties responsibilities and skills associated with this position. It is intended to portray the major aspects of the job and is not meant to be all inclusive. Other duties or skills may be required.

Commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion

RFF (Resources for the Future) is committed to the letter and spirit of diversity equity and inclusion. It does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion gender sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in hiring and employment nor in the administration and other programs.RFFs Vision for a Diverse Equitable and Inclusive Future.

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