The Datalab of The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies offers an exciting internship to aspiring data scientists. Our clients include major corporations, key government ministries, development aid agencies, and security providers, both domestic and global. The HCSS data internship therefore offers invaluable experience working on some of the most significant global issues of our time. Candidates should either have a strong quantitative background or demonstrated affinity for all things quantitative. They should also demonstrate transferable programming skills, as well as a keen interest in the topics covered by HCSS policy research.
Starting time: End of July/beginning of August
Deadline vacancy: 15th of June
Want to know more about the experience of HCSS general interns? Look out for the HCSS Internship Blogs entries from our current interns!
Requirements
- An affinity with computer science, statistics, mathematics, physics, engineering, econometrics, or a related field;
- Fluency in Python;
- Very good communication skills in English, both orally and in writing;
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment;
- Strong work ethic and willingness to learn;
- An affinity for policy research;
- Structured way of working, the ability to document your own work.
The following attributes are considered an asset:
- Prior experience with statistical and scientific computing, machine learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP) or optimization;
- Prior experience with dashboarding, visualization, or web development (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Streamlit);
- Prior experience with Generative AI, LLM’s and LMstudio;
- Prior experience with Version Control tools such as Git;
- Prior experience with Docker, containerization and deploying code on servers;
- Data management and/or systems engineering skills;
- First-principles thinking.
Prospective tasks of a data intern
- Conduct research;
- Collect, analyze and visualize data;
- Assist in policy development and recommendations;
- (optional) Basic software or monitor development;
- (optional) Professionalize and standardize NLP pipeline;
- (optional) Plan and write your own snapshot paper for publication or give a presentation.
Eligibility
- Candidates must be enrolled as a student at a university during the whole internship period.
- An internship period of six months is highly preferred, although shorter periods can be discussed (minimum is 5 months). Please indicate your availability in your cover letter. Interns should be able to commit to working 40 hours a week.
- If successful in obtaining a position, candidates are asked to provide a certificate of good conduct (‘Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag’), available from the Dutch Ministry of Justice. Candidates residing outside of the Netherlands should provide a certificate from their country of residence.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply if I am no longer a student (recently graduated)? Data internships are for enrolled students. Without a proof of enrolment, which is valid for the entire duration of data internship, you are not eligible for an internship position.
Is it possible to do a part-time internship? At present, HCSS does not offer part-time data internships within the Data Internship Program for a work week under 32 hours.
Is it possible to work remotely as an intern? No, HCSS only offers in-person internships and positions at our offices in The Hague.
Application Procedure
To apply, send the following items to internship@hcss.nl, using ‘Data Internship/2025’ as the subject line:
- A resume, including a list of references;
- A cover letter, thoroughly demonstrating why and how your data skills can be applied to data-intensive policy research and mentioning when you are available to start the internship;
- Proof of university enrolment, valid for the entire duration of the data internship;
- An official transcript of academic grades;
- A portfolio of previous data projects, including the code (or a GitHub address).
Notes regarding the application procedure:
- Please ensure that your application is complete before sending it in. Providing a list of references with contact details as part of your CV (at least two) is a mandatory requirement- we will not request them at a later stage;
- The whole application should be written in English including the writing sample;
- Please apply only if you are available for the above mentioned start date. HCSS recruits interns on a bi-annual basis; later start dates will be announced in due time.
Practical Information
The HCSS internship is paid: € 675,- per month. Our internship takes place in person at our offices in The Hague.
At HCSS, we firmly believe in prioritising qualifications and skills when making hiring decisions, without any discrimination based on personal characteristics such as race, religion, gender, age, disability, and sexual orientation. HCSS only considers candidates that submit a complete application and fulfill all eligibility requirements. Successful applicants will be invited for an interview.discrimination based on personal characteristics such as race, religion, gender, age, disability, and sexual orientation.
The deadline for applying is June 15th, 2025 at 12 PM. Starting dates of the internship are preferably end of July.
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