MERICS Internship

MERICS is looking for committed and flexible team players to contribute as full-time interns (40 hours per week) to its research programs. The current round of applications for internships starting in April 2025 is open from January 15 to 31, 2025.

Our interns apply and expand the skills acquired during their studies in a dynamic working environment, contributing to independent policy-oriented research on China. 

Internships at MERICS have a duration of  three months  and are offered at four different times throughout the year, starting either in  January, April, July or October. Interns receive a small remuneration. 

MERICS offers the opportunity for interns: 

  • to contribute to independent policy-oriented research on China 
  • to be part of a dynamic and highly dedicated team 
  • to apply and expand the skills you have acquired during your studies, by conducting research based on English and Chinese primary sources, performing data analysis and writing short reports, as well as assisting in preparing events and presentations 

MERICS expects: 

  • studies in Political Science, Sociology, Economics, or Area Studies with a relevant focus on Asia and/or China 
  • good knowledge of the political and economic system of the People’s Republic of China 
  • a very good command of written and spoken English and good Chinese language skills (for research program Public Policy and Society: very good knowledge, ability to read fluently and summarize source content concerning a wide range of topics); working knowledge of German would be a bonus 
  • attention to detail and high degree of reliability 
  • proficient with Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint)  

MERICS does not offer remote internships. All interns are required to live and work in Berlin for the duration of their internship with us.

How to apply: 

Please decide first which of the research programs you wish to apply to. Here are some of the topics that might be covered:

  • Politics and Society: China’s domestic politics, party state, legal system, social policy, public debates and human rights
  • Economy: China's economic development; industrial policy; trade; FDI/ODI; monetary policy; financial markets
  • Foreign Relations: China's foreign, security and defence policies; Belt and Road Initiative; EU-China and Europe-China relations
  • Science, Technology and Innovation: China's tech ambitions in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology and biotech; scientific research collaboration; cybersecurity; data-driven research methodologies

We do not expect you to have in-depth knowledge of each of these topics but recommend that you apply to the programme that best fits in with your academic background, interests and past experiences. A lot of overlap exists between each of these programs and you are likely to interact with analysts from all four teams during your time at MERICS.

Depending on your choice of program, please then send a cover letter and a CV to one of the following team members: 

These documents need to be submitted to us in English and placed in a single PDF file. Please make sure not to send us anything other than your CV and a cover letter. The subject of your email should include the keywords “MERICS internship” followed by your name. For example: MERICS internship – James Legge.

Before you apply, please make sure that you are already legally allowed to work in Germany. MERICS will unfortunately not be able to sponsor or assist with any visa or work permit applications. If you are offered a place, you will then be required to be registered as a resident in Germany, obtain a German social security number, a German tax ID and provide proof of membership to a German statutory health insurance. Please also note that applications received outside of our application window (see above) will not be processed. 

We look forward to applications from students currently doing their first BA or MA degree and who will be enrolled at a university throughout their internship with us.