Research Internships – Data and Advanced Analytics

Location: Frankfort, KY, (hybrid work schedule with one required in-office day per week)
Travel: Some statewide travel for quarterly CPE Board Meetings, the annual Kentucky Association for Institutional Research meeting, and other required meetings.
Compensation: $16 – $20 per hour
Term: Sept. 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
Time commitment: 20 hours per week
Application Deadline: July 11, 2025

Overview

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) is excited to announce a call for two (2) paid internships for the 2025-2026 academic year. These positions will support the agency’s Data and Advanced Analytics unit by conducting research, contributing to agency reports and publications, and communicating findings to internal and external stakeholders.

As Kentucky’s postsecondary coordinating board, CPE supports higher education by monitoring academic quality, affordability, and student success through policy and accountability measures. The Data and Advanced Analytics unit plays a critical role in this mission by leveraging data and research to drive the agency’s strategic agenda and provide meaningful insights on higher education issues to the Governor’s Office and state legislature.

Interns will gain professional experience in a fast-paced state agency and contribute to projects intended to inform and shape postsecondary education policy in Kentucky. Our goal is that data interns have an impactful experience with CPE that enhances their professional and/or academic aspirations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with unique, large-scale administrative data to analyze trends and draw inferences
• Assist CPE staff with information requests and publications.
• Attend internal and external meetings with policymakers and agency partners.
• Earn credits towards their degree, if applicable.
• Prepare, present, and publish research work.
• Develop and manage original research projects with staff support.
• Support the review and revision of technical documentation, including data submission guidelines, policy updates, and user instructions.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred but not required. Graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.

• Students in higher education, social sciences, public policy, statistics, computer science, or related fields.
• Experience with SQL database querying
• Experience with data analytics and visualization in R, Tableau, and Stata
• Experience with applied statistical methods
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.)

Application Information

Applicants must submit the following application materials to CPE.HR@Ky.gov:

• Cover letter describing interest in and qualifications for the position
• A CV or résumé
• A writing sample (full or excerpted)

Selection Process

The search committee will select 3 to 5 candidates for virtual interviews. Follow-up interview may be conducted if needed. Finalists will have one week to accept or decline the internship offer.