If you are a Master’s student interested in social science research, labor market inequalities, computational methods, data analysis, and programming, the Centre for Research on social InequalitieS (CRIS) at Sciences Po is offering an exciting paid internship opportunity beginning in September 2026.
This four-month, part-time internship provides an excellent opportunity to work alongside experienced researchers on a cutting-edge project that explores how skills influence labor market opportunities and inequalities. Interns will gain practical research experience, strengthen their analytical abilities, and contribute to a major academic research project using one of the largest datasets of online job advertisements.
The application deadline is 20 July 2026 at 9:00 AM CET.
About the Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS)
The Centre for Research on social InequalitieS (CRIS) is a joint research center established by Sciences Po and CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research).
CRIS is internationally recognized for producing high-quality, theory-driven empirical research on social inequalities. The center brings together:
- 22 permanent researchers
- 6 emeritus researchers
- 29 PhD students
- A dedicated six-member support team
Researchers at CRIS investigate inequality from multiple perspectives using interdisciplinary approaches and a wide variety of research methods, including:
- Qualitative research
- Quantitative research
- Experimental methods
- Comparative research
- Micro-level analysis
- Meso-level analysis
- Macro-level analysis
Their research contributes to both academic knowledge and evidence-based policymaking.
Research Areas at CRIS
CRIS researchers specialize in numerous areas related to social inequalities, including:
- Education
- Labor market inequalities
- Economic inequality
- Social mobility
- Welfare states
- Public policy
- Urban segregation
- Migration
- Discrimination
- Social movements
- Policing
- Cultural consumption
- Digital inequalities
- Health inequalities
- Environmental inequalities
- Life course dynamics
The center emphasizes:
- Empirical research
- Methodological rigor
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- International perspectives
- Comparative research
- Theoretical pluralism
About the Internship Project
The internship forms part of an ongoing research project led by Marie Labussière.
The project seeks to better understand how workers’ skills influence labor market opportunities.
Although educational qualifications and occupations are commonly used to study labor markets, individual skills themselves have received comparatively less direct attention. This research aims to fill that gap by measuring skills directly through large-scale analysis of online job advertisements.
Using computational approaches and advanced data analysis techniques, the project investigates how different skills are valued across occupations and how they contribute to labor market inequalities.
What Will Interns Do?
Successful applicants will work closely with the project supervisor and contribute to several important research activities.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Conducting literature reviews on labor market inequalities and skills research.
- Analyzing large datasets of online job advertisements.
- Coding latent skill dimensions.
- Performing both manual coding and computational coding.
- Working with word embedding models.
- Supporting ongoing academic research activities.
Throughout the internship, participants will receive guidance from the project supervisor while developing valuable research and analytical skills in an academic environment.
Skills You Will Develop
This internship offers practical experience in several highly valuable areas, including:
- Academic research
- Literature review
- Data analysis
- Statistical analysis
- Computational social science
- Programming
- Python applications
- Word embedding models
- Labor market research
- Research methodology
- Analytical thinking
- Quantitative research methods
These skills are highly relevant for students considering careers in academia, research institutions, policy organizations, international organizations, or data-driven social science.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
Educational Background
Applicants must be currently pursuing a Master’s degree in one of the following fields:
- Sociology
- Economics
- Psychology
- Computational Social Sciences
Technical Skills
Candidates should have:
- Statistical knowledge
- Experience with regression analysis
- Basic knowledge of linear algebra, including vector projections
- Programming proficiency
Knowledge of Python is considered an advantage. However, applicants with strong motivation to learn Python are also encouraged to apply.
Internship Duration
The internship will run for:
- Duration: 4 months
- Period: September to December 2026
Working Hours
The internship is part-time and requires:
- 18 hours per week
This makes it suitable for students who wish to combine research experience with their academic commitments.
Internship Benefits
Successful interns will receive numerous professional and academic benefits, including:
- Paid internship
- Hands-on research experience
- Mentorship from an experienced academic researcher
- Experience working with large real-world datasets
- Exposure to computational research methods
- Development of statistical and programming skills
- Opportunity to contribute to impactful research on labor market inequalities
- Experience within an internationally respected research center
- Strong addition to an academic CV
Compensation
Interns will receive:
- Internship allowance at the legal minimum rate applicable under French law.
Internship Location
Administrative Address:
27 rue Saint Guillaume
75337 Paris Cedex 07
France
Office Location:
1 Place Saint Thomas d’Aquin
75007 Paris
France
Required Application Documents
Applicants must prepare:
- A Letter of Intent
- A Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages)
Applications must be submitted through the official online application form.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 20 July 2026 at 9:00 AM CET
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the official online application form and upload:
- Letter of Intent
- CV (maximum two pages)
Click here to apply
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Why You Should Apply
This internship presents an outstanding opportunity for Master’s students seeking practical research experience in computational social science and labor market analysis. Participants will collaborate with leading researchers, gain exposure to advanced analytical techniques, and contribute to an important project examining how skills shape labor market inequalities.
Whether you are planning a research career, pursuing a PhD, or looking to strengthen your analytical and programming skills, this internship offers valuable academic and professional experience within one of France’s leading research centers.
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