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Summer 2026 - Research Intern, Incarceration & Inequality Project

Brooklyn, New York

About the team:

The Incarceration and Inequality Project (IIP) combines research, data science, and strategic communications to explore and document how mass incarceration has impoverished communities and widened racial disparities in income and wealth over the past five decades. Vera is creating a national dataset that includes information on incarceration, community supervision, and economic outcomes from a range of local and federal sources. The project team will use this dataset to produce data-informed products, including policy briefs, research papers, and an online data visualization tool. 

We are seeking a full-time Graduate level Intern to provide a range of supports for new and ongoing studies, including quantitative analysis, data management, and literature reviews on topics related to mass incarceration, and economic justice. This is an opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team that is addressing policy-focused questions at the intersection of mass incarceration, economic mobility, and racial equity. 

The IIP Intern will learn: 

  • Working with a dynamic team on applied quantitative analysis 
  • Managing and analyzing economic data from the census and other sources 
  • Reviewing the literature on the intersection of income inequality and criminal legal system contact 
  • Conducting research to inform policy briefs and other publications 

About the role:

1. Background research 

  • Reviewing the literature on criminal legal and economic justice topics 
  • Producing research summaries 
  • Working with members of the research team to develop estimation techniques, based on existing research 

2. Data management and exploratory analysis 

  • Merging and aggregating administrative datasets 
  • Conducting descriptive analysis 
  • Producing data visualizations 
  • Authoring memos and other internal documents describing results 

3. Research methodology 

  • Participating in IIP research meetings, discussing research designs and providing feedback on emergent findings 
  • Presenting findings to the team 

What qualifications are we looking for?

  • Currently enrolled in graduate school in economics, sociology, criminology, demography, public policy or a related discipline or equivalent experience 
  • Interest in applied social justice research, particularly to advance policy reform and advocacy and issues related to economic inequality and the legal system 
  • Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills 
  • Familiarity with analyzing quantitative datasets 

Preferred:

  • Experience with R and/or Python

Technical knowledge helpful for this role:

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software 
  • Quantitative analysis software (ie:  R, Stata, etc) 

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $17.00 - $25.00. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here. 

Application Process:

To receive further consideration for this career opportunity, applicants are asked preliminary questions about logistics, their interest and qualifications. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional details about their experience via a phone screen/form in advance of an invitation for a virtual or in-person interview with the team. Some searches may explore scenarios during the interview process and/or an assessment prior to reference checks and a hiring decision.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / Summer 2026 - Research Intern, Incarceration & Inequality Project
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.

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