Deadline: October 26, 2025
Applications are open for the Nordic Africa Institute Internship 2025. Research interns at NAI gain experience in an interdisciplinary environment, with opportunities to develop subject knowledge and learn how to work within a research institution.
The research area on Development Economics at NAI investigates how economic structures, policies, and external dynamics influence inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and structural transformation in African countries. It explores the links between economic performance, social welfare, and governance, as well as the evolving role of Africa in the global economy.
Key areas of inquiry include:
- Inclusive and sustainable economic growth and employment creation
- Income distribution, inequality, and poverty reduction strategies
- Trade, investment, and industrial development
- Digitalization and economic transformation, including the role of digital technologies in productivity, market integration, and innovation
- Climate change and its economic implications
- Food security, agricultural systems, and rural livelihoods – including how agricultural policies, land use, and innovation shape economic resilience and development outcomes
- 20 weeks of internship
- Ongoing projects examine, for example, the impacts of global economic shocks on African economies, the role of digital technologies in inclusive growth, and the transformation of food systems in the face of climate change and population growth.
Responsibilities
As a Development Economics Intern, you will work closely with NAI researchers and contribute to ongoing projects within this research area. Your tasks may include:
- Conducting literature reviews and background research on ongoing research projects
- Supporting data collection, cleaning, and basic analysis (quantitative or qualitative)
- Drafting research notes, policy briefs, and research summaries
- Contributing to project management, including communications and documentation
- Assisting with the dissemination of research findings to policy audiences and the public
- Performing other duties as assigned
Benefits
- Hands-on experience in a leading research institute focused on African development
- Mentorship from senior researchers and exposure to cutting-edge policy debates
- Opportunities to publish and present your work
- Networking with academics, policymakers, and practitioners from Africa and the Nordic countries
This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in applied development research and contribute to policy-relevant knowledge production in an international research environment.
Eligibility
They are seeking motivated candidates with a strong academic background and a passion for development issues. The ideal candidate will have:
- Candidates must be enrolled in, or have recently completed, a Master’s programme in economics, development studies, political economy, environmental sciences, or other related fields.
- Candidates must reside in Sweden and be based near Uppsala, as the internship requires on-site presence and the short duration does not allow for visa sponsorship.
- Familiarity with development economics concepts and debates, particularly in the African context
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, and ability to use statistical packages and programming languages (e.g., STATA, SPSS, or R) is an advantage.
- Strong academic writing skills and very good level of oral and written fluency in English.
- Knowledge in Swedish is meritorious.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international environment.
Application
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications are invited to submit their applications through our recruitment system no later than 26 October2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more information, visit NAI Internship.
