Strategic Research Team Intern

Based in Bangkok, SEI Asia has a diverse team of multinational experts who integrate scientific research with participatory approaches to co-develop and share knowledge, build partnerships, and influence policy for resilient development. SEI Asia’s work focuses on gender and social equity, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water insecurity and integrated water resources management, transitional agriculture, renewable energy and urbanization. 

SEI Asia is an affiliate of Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand. SEI and CU have an agreement to foster innovative scientific research combined with effective policy engagement on development and environmental challenges in Asia. The key areas of collaboration are intellectual engagement for joint research applications and fund mobilization, lectures and seminars for CU students, postgraduate supervision and examination, and CU–SEI employee links. 

The role

The intern will support SEI Asia’s research-to-policy impact by contributing to systems for monitoring, learning and collaboration. This role offers an opportunity to work closely with senior researchers and cross-cutting teams to enhance knowledge sharing, research quality, and policy influence.

Key roles and responsibilities:

1. Support the development of an in-house monitoring and learning system.

• • Collaboratively design and pilot a user-friendly system to track, assess and record SEI Asia’s research outputs, communications and influence.
  • Work with the Science Director and the Communications-MEL-Policy team to co-create a system that captures:

• • • Outputs produced: scientific and non-science outputs by type, theme, team, etc.)
    • Analytics and metrics: data on readership, downloads and sharing (e.g. altmetrics).
    • Influence: the reach and policy impact of outputs, using evidence like change stories, policy citations and lessons learned.

• Ensure alignment with SEI’s existing systems (e.g. communications tracking, SEI HQ’s altmetrics, and SEI’s new project management tool.
• Focus on practical, feasible data and analysis that can be sustained long-term.

2. Coordinate and support the Strategic Research Team’s priority actions.

• • Help convene cross-team/cluster sessions for staff learning, reflection and exchange on thematic issues (e.g. environmental rights, nature-based solutions, oceans) or regional work (e.g. SEI’s engagement in the Pacific).

3. Assist with research quality initiatives.

• Support the Science Director in organizing in-house learning sessions based on SEI Asia’s Research Quality Framework.
• Help document and refine processes to ensure replicability across teams.

Required skills, qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree or higher.
• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to collaborate with senior researchers.
• Proactive, collaborative and an excellent communicator and team player.
• Creative problem-solver with the ability to take initiative.
• Background in and understanding of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), including theory of change.
• Experience setting up and maintaining MEL, data or tracking systems using tools such as Excel, Teams or similar.
• Enthusiasm for research-to-policy work, including communications.

Questions?

• Inquiries about the internship can be directed to Cynthia McDougall, SEI Asia Research Director: [email protected].
• Questions about the application process can be directed to Nipa Laithong, Senior Administrative and HR Officer: [email protected].

Additional information 

SEI is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants based on their qualifications and competencies, regardless of – though not limited to – race, national origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or marital status. We are committed to fostering diversity and equality within our organization, and we strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. 

About SEI 

Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles climate, environment and sustainable development challenges.   

We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Scientific quality and integrity are foundations of our work. Partnership is at the heart of our approach, leading to change that lasts.    

Our work connects science to policy and practice, aiming to drive tangible impacts. It spans climate change, natural resources, water, air, and health, and addresses questions of governance, innovation, finance, poverty, gender equality and social equity.   

We are committed to transparency and full disclosure of our funding. The Government of Sweden is our largest funder, and we also receive funds from a range of public research funders, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, governments, NGOs and other partners.   

Through SEI’s HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all.