Internship
The United Nations University (UNU) is inviting applications for a Remote Research Intern – Neuroscience, Learning and AI in Higher Education position at the UNU Institute in Macau (UNU Macau). This two-month research internship provides an opportunity for qualified postgraduate researchers to gain practical experience in policy-oriented research while contributing to work examining the intersection of neuroscience, learning sciences, artificial intelligence and higher education. The internship is particularly relevant for candidates with an academic background in neuroscience, education, learning sciences, psychology, artificial intelligence, social sciences or a related discipline who are interested in understanding how emerging technologies and evidence from learning and neuroscience can influence education policy and practice.
A quick overview based on the listing. Review the full details below before applying.
No separate application link was provided for this opportunity. Full application instructions are included in the announcement details below — read them carefully and contact the organization directly.
The United Nations University (UNU) is inviting applications for a Remote Research Intern – Neuroscience, Learning and AI in Higher Education position at the UNU Institute in Macau (UNU Macau). This two-month research internship provides an opportunity for qualified postgraduate researchers to gain practical experience in policy-oriented research while contributing to work examining the intersection of neuroscience, learning sciences, artificial intelligence and higher education. The internship is particularly relevant for candidates with an academic background in neuroscience, education, learning sciences, psychology, artificial intelligence, social sciences or a related discipline who are interested in understanding how emerging technologies and evidence from learning and neuroscience can influence education policy and practice. The successful intern will work remotely under the supervision of the Institute Director and contribute to research for a forthcoming Springer publication on AI and higher education, alongside research briefs, policy recommendations, blogs, academic papers and other knowledge products.
The advertised position lists a payment of $550 per month.
The internship will last for 2 months.
September 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Macau time (GMT+8). Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline because the application page will no longer be operational after the closing date.
The United Nations University is an international community of scholars working on policy-oriented research, capacity development and knowledge dissemination in support of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. For more than four decades, UNU has served as a global research and think-tank institution working on major challenges affecting human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and human welfare. Its research contributes to the broader work of the United Nations and its Member States and covers issues connected to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNU brings together researchers working across different countries and disciplines. The university also maintains collaborations with United Nations agencies, universities and research institutions around the world. This makes a UNU internship particularly valuable for individuals seeking exposure to international research, evidence-based policymaking, sustainable development and the United Nations system.
The United Nations University Institute in Macau is one of the research and training institutes within the UNU system. UNU Macau focuses on the relationship between digital technologies and sustainable development, undertaking research designed to address challenges identified within the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
One of the Institute’s objectives is to help nurture the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers, including computing, information and social scientists and engineers working in ICT for development. The Institute’s location in Macau also places it within the broader Greater Bay Area, a major technology and innovation hub with connections to China, Hong Kong SAR and several other Asian countries. For the selected intern, this provides an opportunity to participate in research connected to major technological and educational developments while working within a United Nations research environment.
The Research Intern – Neuroscience, Learning and AI in Higher Education will support ongoing research under the supervision of the Institute Director. The internship is connected to a forthcoming Springer publication on artificial intelligence and higher education, meaning the successful candidate will have an opportunity to contribute to research that may ultimately inform an academic publication.
The position is therefore well suited to candidates who enjoy interdisciplinary research and are interested in translating academic evidence into practical policy and educational recommendations.
The selected Research Intern will undertake a range of research and knowledge-production activities.
A major responsibility will involve conducting literature reviews and research relating to:
The intern will be expected to identify relevant academic literature, examine existing evidence, synthesize findings and help establish an evidence base for ongoing UNU research. Strong literature-review skills will therefore be important because the role requires the ability to navigate academic research and identify information relevant to specific research questions.
The intern will support research and analysis contributing to a forthcoming Springer book focused on AI and higher education. This could involve reviewing academic literature, organizing research materials, synthesizing findings and supporting the development of content for the publication. The opportunity may therefore be particularly attractive to candidates who want experience contributing to an international academic publication.
The intern will examine how findings and insights from neuroscience and learning science can contribute to better educational policies and practices. This involves exploring the relationship between how people learn, what research says about learning and cognition, and how these insights can be incorporated into education systems. The role therefore goes beyond simply studying artificial intelligence. It requires an interdisciplinary understanding of how AI, learning, neuroscience and education intersect.
Another important responsibility will be contributing to policy outputs and recommendations. The intern will explore how evidence from neuroscience and learning science can potentially inform policymaking within education. This may include helping translate academic findings into practical recommendations that policymakers and other stakeholders can understand and potentially apply.
The selected candidate will also contribute to various written knowledge products.
This means candidates should be comfortable communicating complex academic information clearly and accurately. Strong academic and analytical writing will be particularly important for this aspect of the internship.
The intern will assist with the preparation, organization and analysis of research materials and evidence. This responsibility requires attention to detail and the ability to work systematically with academic information.
During the internship, the successful candidate is expected to contribute to several research and knowledge products.
The intern may contribute to research briefs and comprehensive literature reviews examining neuroscience, learning, AI and higher education.
The intern will contribute to recommendations examining how neuroscience and learning science can be incorporated into educational policymaking.
The internship also provides an opportunity to contribute to blogs and other materials designed to communicate research findings to broader audiences.
The intern may contribute to drafts or research supporting journal articles and other academic publications.
A significant component of the internship will involve research and analysis contributing to the forthcoming Springer book on artificial intelligence and higher education.
The internship is designed not only to support UNU’s research activities but also to provide professional development for the selected intern.
Interns will gain practical experience conducting research in a professional international research environment.
One of the most valuable learning objectives is developing the ability to transform research findings into policy-relevant outputs.
The internship provides exposure to the working environment of the United Nations University. Experience within a UN institution can help candidates better understand how international organizations conduct research, generate evidence and contribute to global policy discussions.
UNU operates within an international and multicultural environment. The internship therefore offers an opportunity to develop experience collaborating across different cultural, academic and professional backgrounds.
Applicants must meet the academic and professional requirements outlined for the position.
The interdisciplinary nature of the position means that candidates from different academic backgrounds may be considered, provided their expertise is relevant to the research focus.
Applicants should demonstrate strong capabilities in research and academic writing.
Candidates should have experience conducting structured and rigorous research.
The position requires the ability to analyze academic evidence, identify important findings and synthesize information.
Applicants should be capable of producing clear, well-structured academic and research-oriented writing.
Candidates should demonstrate the ability to conduct literature reviews and synthesize findings from academic research.
Because the position is remote, applicants must be able to organize their workload, manage deadlines and work effectively with limited direct supervision.
Knowledge of another United Nations official language is considered an advantage. Applicants who can demonstrate multilingual communication skills may therefore have an additional strength, although English proficiency is the primary language requirement specified for the position.
The internship follows UNU’s core values and competency framework.
Applicants should consider demonstrating these competencies through their cover letter, CV and examples of previous research or professional work.
The opportunity is open to qualified candidates who meet the stated academic and skills requirements.
A background in neuroscience, education, learning sciences, psychology, AI, social sciences or a related field
UNU specifically states that it welcomes applications regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and encourages applications from persons living with disabilities. The organization also strongly encourages applications from developing countries and women. Therefore, the announcement does not restrict applicants to a particular continent or nationality. Qualified candidates from around the world can apply, subject to meeting the academic, skills and other requirements.
Applicants should submit a brief cover letter written in English.
The cover letter should be specifically tailored to the position rather than being a generic application letter.
Applicants must submit a current and complete CV in English.
Applicants must provide examples of relevant research work in English. This could be particularly important because the internship is heavily research-focused. Candidates should therefore select examples that demonstrate their ability to conduct research, analyze evidence and communicate academic findings effectively.
Candidates who are invited for an interview will be required to submit additional documentation before the interview.
Selected candidates must have health and life/accident insurance valid for the duration and location in which the internship is carried out. This requirement should be taken seriously when preparing for the internship because the selected intern is responsible for having the required insurance coverage.
UNU may assess qualified applicants through one or more stages.
Candidates should therefore prepare to discuss their academic background, research experience, analytical abilities, writing skills and motivation for joining UNU. A competency-based interview may also explore examples of how candidates have demonstrated communication, accountability, problem solving, collaboration and other relevant competencies.
The position is explicitly described as a remote internship. This means applicants do not need to relocate to Macau to carry out the internship.
UNU states that it does not sponsor a working visa for this position. Because this is a remote internship, applicants should carefully consider the location from which they will undertake the internship and ensure they can legally participate from that location. The internship is also intended to complement an intern’s studies and is not intended to lead directly to further employment with UNU. Therefore, candidates should not regard the internship as a guaranteed pathway to a permanent or temporary position within the organization.
Interns should also be aware that they do not have the same status as United Nations staff members.
Interns may not represent UNU in an official capacity. Interns do not hold international civil servant status. Interns are not considered staff members under the UN Staff Rules and Regulations. Applicants should therefore distinguish between gaining experience through a UNU internship and being employed as a member of the United Nations international civil service.
UNU states that it accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents, illness or death incurred during the internship. Selected interns must therefore ensure that they have the required health and life/accident insurance coverage for the relevant period.
This opportunity offers several potential benefits for postgraduate researchers and early-career professionals.
Working with a United Nations University institute can provide experience in an international research environment.
The internship brings together several rapidly developing fields, including artificial intelligence, neuroscience, learning sciences and higher education.
Contributing to research associated with a forthcoming Springer publication can provide valuable exposure to the academic publication process.
The role emphasizes translating research into policy recommendations, making it relevant to candidates interested in evidence-based policymaking.
Interns can gain experience producing research briefs, blogs, academic papers and other knowledge products.
The position provides an opportunity to develop experience working remotely in an international and multicultural setting.
Applicants can improve their applications by making sure every document directly reflects the requirements of the internship.
Your cover letter should clearly connect your academic background and research experience to the internship’s focus. Rather than simply stating that you are interested in AI or education, explain how your previous work relates to the intersection of neuroscience, learning, AI and higher education.
Your CV should make research experience easy to identify.
Because academic writing is an important requirement, choose research samples that demonstrate your ability to synthesize evidence and communicate complex ideas clearly.
Since this is a remote position, applicants should demonstrate examples of successfully managing research or professional responsibilities independently.
Candidates can strengthen their application by demonstrating that they understand the importance of translating research into practical recommendations for policymakers, institutions and other stakeholders.
Because the application page will no longer be operational after the deadline, applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours to submit their materials.
Applicants should be alert to recruitment scams. UNU states that it does not charge application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other recruitment fees.
Applicants should also be careful when providing personal information because organizational names, logos, addresses and other identifying information can be copied and misused by scammers. Applications should be submitted through the official UNU recruitment platform. Visit HERE for more information about the Remote Research Internship at United Nations University.
Interested candidates should apply through the official United Nations University careers platform and carefully review the vacancy requirements before submitting their application.
The United Nations University Remote Research Internship in Neuroscience, Learning and AI in Higher Education offers an interdisciplinary research opportunity for Master’s-level and above candidates interested in the rapidly evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, neuroscience, learning and higher education. The two-month remote internship will allow the successful candidate to contribute to research supporting a forthcoming Springer publication while developing practical skills in literature reviews, evidence synthesis, academic writing, policy research and knowledge production. The opportunity also provides exposure to a United Nations research environment and experience working within an international, multicultural setting. With applications closing on September 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Macau time (GMT+8), eligible candidates should prepare their cover letter, CV and relevant research samples early and ensure that their application clearly demonstrates the research and academic capabilities required for the role. For more global Internship opportunities, visit OFY HERE.
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