Climate and Energy Research Intern, Climate & Energy Program

Third Way is seeking a Climate and Energy Research Intern for its Climate & Energy Program in Washington, DC. The role involves conducting research and data analysis on clean energy investments in North America, Europe, and China. Interns will support the climate & energy finance team, organize data, and assist in developing reports and visualizations. This position is focused on climate advocacy and requires strong organizational skills and a passion for clean energy.
Third Way is a national think tank founded in 2005 to champion modern center-left ideas. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security.

We are proud of the organization that we have built and continue to seek out talent who contribute to our ambitious mission. We are deeply committed to promoting a culture of results and respect where every employee has opportunities to contribute, develop, and grow professionally.

Third Way’s Climate & Energy Program (CEP) is looking for a highly organized individual with a keen interest in research, data analysis, and clean energy deployment. If you love to learn about emerging clean energy technology, have a knack for data visualization, and want to make an impact on climate advocacy at Third Way, then this may be the role for you!

The Research Intern will conduct targeted research (including data aggregation and organization) that will provide CEP’s climate & energy finance team (CEF) with clear and comprehensive data sets on North American, European (including the United Kingdom), and Chinese energy investment. Results will be used to inform CEF’s investor network building, technology developer outreach, and to develop fact sheets on US & Chinese clean energy investment in specific advanced energy technologies.

Examples of our impact include:
• Donor Relationships: We build and maintain relationships with new and existing donors.
• Policy Work Coordination: We work with policy teams to ensure alignment between policy teams’ projects and grant priorities.
• Reporting: We regularly update donors on project progress and impacts.
• Convenings and Events: We organize opportunities to connect with current and prospective donors as well as highlight the impact of our work.
• Research: We identify new funding opportunities and stay up to date on current trends in philanthropy.

As a CEP Research Intern, a typical day might include…
• Meeting regularly with the Climate & Energy team to keep track of stakeholder meetings and research requests.
• Conducting and compiling research on current investment level and international investors in clean energy technologies, from multiple data platforms.
• Updating Salesforce with contacts from climate & energy finance stakeholder outreach efforts.
• Organizing spreadsheets in Google & Excel and developing charts, tables, and infographics to on climate & energy investment.
• Executing ad-hoc research requests on fiscal policy and investment tools to better understand clean energy finance trends and support the climate & energy finance team’s commercialization work.
• Aiding in the development of factsheets and memos on topics in clean energy finance through coordination of meetings with Climate & Energy Program policy teams and data visualization support.

Internship Daily Operations:
• Regularly update Climate & Energy Program excel records including CEF investment mapping data and Clean Investment Monitor (CIM) data.
• Respond to relevant CEF emails and pull data as necessary for CEP members.
• Occasionally assist in scheduling meetings with external partners to discuss CEF team priorities.

Internship Meetings and Events:
• Conduct research on technology companies and investors in US, Europe (including UK), and China.
• Meet regularly with CEF team, including visiting fellows and consultants to identify new research topic in clean energy.

Internship Short-Term Projects:
• Research, identify, and track the top 50 -100 capitalized early stage (Seed through C) US and Chinese clean energy companies by energy technology including nuclear energy (incl. fusion), long-duration energy storage, carbon management, and geothermal.
• Research and identify the top 50-100 US and Chinese investors by investor class & level of capital deployed including venture capital, Private equity, and private debt investors.
• Using provided databases and open-sources, research and develop a contact sheet of identified US Clean energy investor "targets" to be used for CEF outreach & future targeted surveys.

Internship Long-Term Projects:
• Aid in developing one to four “Clean Energy Finance Snapshots” blog products that identify key trends in US CE investment and compare industry financing landscape with that of China.
• Intern will help develop the template and infographics for these materials. Drafting the factsheets in partnership with SPA for CEF
• Organize and consolidate external excel data received from partners and consultants into CEF data book, generating pivot tables and reports as needed.
• Give an end-of-term presentation about your work to Third Way staff
• Topic will be determined by you and your supervisor.
• Please note all duties and events will require in-office participation. All Third Way staff are required to be vaccinated. This is a part-time, PAID INTERNSHIP. We are flexible with scheduling. *

This might be the right job for you if you…
• Are a current student or recent graduate with an interest in and knowledge of climate and clean energy policy as well as philanthropy. Environmental or Policy degree preferred but not required;
• Enjoy research and problem solving. This internship will be heavily focused on prospective donor research. Being able to conduct effective research and problem solve when information is not readily available is essential;
• Have a passion for taking action to address climate change. A basic understanding of climate and clean energy policy is preferred but not required;
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and synthesize information;
• Are detail-oriented: Your duties include internal communications, scheduling events and meetings, and using templates to maintain consistency across research;
• Can prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines; and
• Have strong computer skills, with excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for…
• Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.
• Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.
• Creators: People who foster divergent thinking and aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.
• Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.
• Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and fosters the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.

The Internship Program runs from Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, through Thursday, August 28th, 2025.

Interns work part-time, in-person, and are paid $18.00/hour.

Third Way is an equal-opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.