Research Internships – Data and Advanced Analytics

This announcement is for two positions.

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: $20 per hour
Term: September 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027
Time commitment: 20 hours per week
Application Deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026

About the Council on Postsecondary Education

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) is the state agency that oversees Kentucky’s public colleges and universities. We work to keep college high-quality, affordable, and focused on helping students succeed. Our Data and Advanced Analytics team supports this mission by using data and research to guide the agency’s goals and to explain higher education issues to the Governor’s Office and the state legislature.

Position Description

We are hiring two (2) paid interns for the 2026-2027 academic year to join the data team. This is a chance to gain real work experience at a busy state agency and to help with projects that shape college policy in Kentucky. Our goal is to give you valuable experience that supports your career and academic goals.

As a research intern, you will:

• Use large, real-world datasets to find trends and draw conclusions
• Help CPE staff answer data requests and prepare publications
• Take part in meetings with policymakers and partner organizations
• Earn course credit toward your degree, if your program allows it
• Prepare, present, and publish your own analyses
• Lead your own research project with support from CPE staff
• Help review and update technical documents, such as data guidelines, policy updates, and how-to instructions

Preferred Qualifications

These skills are helpful but not required. We welcome both undergraduate and graduate students to apply.

• Studying higher education, social sciences, public policy, statistics, computer science, or a related field
• Some experience writing SQL database queries
• Some experience with data analysis or visualization tools, such as R, Tableau, or Stata
• Some experience using statistics to answer research questions
• Strong writing, speaking, and presentation skills
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams)

Application Information

To apply, please email the following to CPE.HR@ky.gov:

• A cover letter that explains why you are interested and what makes you a good fit
• A resume or CV
• A short writing sample that demonstrates the qualifications listed above

Selection Process

We will accept applications until Monday, July 13, 2026. The hiring committee will choose 3 to 5 candidates and invite each one to at least one virtual interview. If there are many strong applicants, we may hold a second round of interviews. Finalists will have one week to accept or turn down the offer. We plan to have both interns start on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, and the internship will run through Friday, April 30, 2027.

Other Information

Each internship is about 20 hours per week and pays $20 per hour. The work is hybrid. Typically, 7.5 hours will be in-person on Tuesdays at the CPE office at 100 Airport Rd., Frankfort, KY 40601. The remaining 12.5 hours will be scheduled virtually and with consideration of your academic schedule.

Please send any questions to Dr. Christopher Ledford (christopher.ledford@ky.gov).