Research Intern – Neuroscience, Learning and AI in Higher Education
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations University (UNU) is an esteemed international community of scholars dedicated to policy-oriented research, capacity development, and the dissemination of knowledge, all aimed at furthering the principles of the United Nations Charter. Established over four decades ago, UNU has become a pivotal think tank for impartial research addressing critical global issues such as human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With a robust team of over 400 researchers operating across 12 countries, UNU's work encompasses the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to foster positive global change. The organization maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies, leading universities, and research institutions worldwide, reinforcing its commitment to impactful research and capacity building.
Job Overview:
The Research Intern – Neuroscience, Learning and AI in Higher Education will play a vital role under the supervision of the Institute Director at the UNU Institute in Macau. This position is primarily focused on contributing to ongoing research for a forthcoming Springer publication that explores the intersection of AI and higher education, alongside related policy and knowledge products. The intern will engage in literature reviews and research on neuroscience, learning, education, and AI, supporting the analysis and synthesis of findings to inform educational policy and practice. The role also involves drafting blogs, research papers, and journal articles, thereby contributing to the dissemination of knowledge and policy recommendations. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in policy-oriented social science research within a UN research environment, enhancing research skills and the ability to translate findings into actionable policy outputs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities include conducting comprehensive literature reviews and research on topics related to neuroscience, learning, education, and AI in higher education. They will support the research and analysis for the upcoming Springer book on AI and higher education, exploring how insights from neuroscience can inform educational policy and practice. The intern will also contribute to policy outputs and recommendations, draft blogs and research papers, and assist in the preparation and organization of research materials. Expected outputs from the intern include research briefs, policy recommendations, blog articles, and contributions to academic publications, all aimed at enhancing the understanding of the role of neuroscience in education.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong research, analytical, and academic writing skills, with a demonstrated ability to conduct literature reviews and synthesize academic research. A strong interest in the intersection of neuroscience, learning, AI, and higher education is essential, along with the ability to work independently and effectively in a remote environment. The ideal candidate should also exhibit a commitment to the values of diversity and inclusion, as well as a professional demeanor in all interactions.
Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or higher in neuroscience, education, learning sciences, psychology, AI, social sciences, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for engaging with the complex topics addressed in the research and policy outputs.
Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a solid background in research, particularly in social sciences, with experience in conducting literature reviews and synthesizing findings. While specific years of experience are not mandated, familiarity with policy-oriented research and the ability to work in a collaborative, multicultural environment are highly valued.
Languages:
Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, having a working knowledge of another UN language would be considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse research materials and collaborate with international teams.
Additional Notes:
This internship is remote and has a contract duration of 2 months, anticipated to run from October 05, 2026, to December 04, 202
The United Nations University (UNU) is an esteemed international community of scholars dedicated to policy-oriented research, capacity development, and the dissemination of knowledge, all aimed at furthering the principles of the United Nations Charter. Established over four decades ago, UNU has become a pivotal think tank for impartial research addressing critical global issues such as human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With a robust team of over 400 researchers operating across 12 countries, UNU's work encompasses the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to foster positive global change. The organization maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies, leading universities, and research institutions worldwide, reinforcing its commitment to impactful research and capacity building.
Job Overview:
The Research Intern – Neuroscience, Learning and AI in Higher Education will play a vital role under the supervision of the Institute Director at the UNU Institute in Macau. This position is primarily focused on contributing to ongoing research for a forthcoming Springer publication that explores the intersection of AI and higher education, alongside related policy and knowledge products. The intern will engage in literature reviews and research on neuroscience, learning, education, and AI, supporting the analysis and synthesis of findings to inform educational policy and practice. The role also involves drafting blogs, research papers, and journal articles, thereby contributing to the dissemination of knowledge and policy recommendations. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in policy-oriented social science research within a UN research environment, enhancing research skills and the ability to translate findings into actionable policy outputs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities include conducting comprehensive literature reviews and research on topics related to neuroscience, learning, education, and AI in higher education. They will support the research and analysis for the upcoming Springer book on AI and higher education, exploring how insights from neuroscience can inform educational policy and practice. The intern will also contribute to policy outputs and recommendations, draft blogs and research papers, and assist in the preparation and organization of research materials. Expected outputs from the intern include research briefs, policy recommendations, blog articles, and contributions to academic publications, all aimed at enhancing the understanding of the role of neuroscience in education.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong research, analytical, and academic writing skills, with a demonstrated ability to conduct literature reviews and synthesize academic research. A strong interest in the intersection of neuroscience, learning, AI, and higher education is essential, along with the ability to work independently and effectively in a remote environment. The ideal candidate should also exhibit a commitment to the values of diversity and inclusion, as well as a professional demeanor in all interactions.
Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or higher in neuroscience, education, learning sciences, psychology, AI, social sciences, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for engaging with the complex topics addressed in the research and policy outputs.
Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a solid background in research, particularly in social sciences, with experience in conducting literature reviews and synthesizing findings. While specific years of experience are not mandated, familiarity with policy-oriented research and the ability to work in a collaborative, multicultural environment are highly valued.
Languages:
Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, having a working knowledge of another UN language would be considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse research materials and collaborate with international teams.
Additional Notes:
This internship is remote and has a contract duration of 2 months, anticipated to run from October 05, 2026, to December 04, 202
- The application procedure requires candidates to submit a brief cover letter, a current CV, and examples of relevant research work. Candidates invited for an interview must provide documentation confirming their education status and proof of health and life/accident insurance valid for the duration of the internship. It is important to note that UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position, and the internship is designed to complement the intern's studies rather than lead to further employment with UNU. Interns are not considered staff members and do not hold international civil servant status. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all backgrounds, particularly from women and candidates from developing countries.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.