We’re looking for a someone aged between 19 and 25 to join us for a paid internship in Autumn 2026.
Introduction from a former intern (and now staff member)
I’m Lara, a current Research Officer and former intern (Spring 2025) at IVAR. For me, the internship was the first chance I got to apply the skills gained through more informal research in school/volunteer settings, and to see where my curiosity, creativity and love of learning may translate into a career.
Not only did I gain some really valuable experience during the internship – supporting in-person events, conducting fieldwork and managing my own independent research projects – but my biggest takeaway from the programme was how much I was able to grow in confidence and capability in just five weeks. My advice for anyone considering the internship would be to: be curious and don’t be afraid to get stuck into the work!
Key details
Location: Hybrid – we currently work in the office at least one day/week (Thursday) at The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR
Time period: Either full-time (7 hours a day) over 5 weeks or part-time over 10 weeks (between 14 September and 20 November 2026)
Salary: £103.60 per day (£14.80 London Living Wage; 7 hours per day)
Closing date: 29 July
Interviews: Online via Zoom – 12 August
How to apply: We ask each applicant to send us a CV and a supporting statement – which could be in written or video form. See our recruitment pack for more instructions.
Want to find out more?
We’re running an online Q&A webinar on 8 July, 12pm. Lara Bautista, our previous intern and now our research officer, will share what the experience was like, and you’ll have a chance to ask us anything. We’ll also give a short introduction to our work and explain the interview process.
About the role
You can expect to:
- Support research projects
- Contribute to IVAR’s communications
- Get involved in designing and delivering IVAR events
- Join team meetings and get involved in the day-to-day life of a research organisation
What we hope you’ll get from it
- Hands-on experience in a range of research approaches
- An understanding of how the voluntary and grant-making sectors work
- Experience of a working in a small, collaborative organisation
- Greater confidence and a clearer sense of the work you enjoy and want to pursue
What we’re looking for
We are particularly keen to hear from young people from backgrounds that are underrepresented in research and the voluntary sector.
That might mean you’re from a Black or minoritised ethnic background, have a disability, come from a lower socioeconomic background, or simply haven’t had easy access to this kind of opportunity before. We’re not looking for a specific qualification or background, you do not need to have a degree and you do not need prior research experience. We’re interested in how you think, learn and communicate.
Here’s what we care about:
- You’re curious and genuinely interested in our work and the communities we serve
- You’re a problem-solver and comfortable sitting with uncertainty
- You’re a good listener and are interested in hearing different people’s perspectives
- You can communicate and can express your ideas clearly and confidently
- You can manage your own time and workload, and ask for help when you need it
- You enjoy working both within a team and independently
- You’re committed to IVAR’s values and ways of working
Download our internship recruitment pack for more information and how to apply.
If you have any further questions please email Lara at lara@ivar.org.uk.