The FTC’s Office of Technology Research and Investigation (OTech) routinely seeks skilled technologists to intern with us in Washington, D.C. OTech conducts research and provides technical guidance that helps drive the FTC’s consumer protection mission.
OTech’s internships are directed towards students typically pursuing a PhD in a technical field. These internships entail a technical research project that can help inform the agency’s consumer protection work. They provide a unique opportunity for graduate students to conduct publishable research in a setting that facilitates direct impact. Previous OTech interns have studied some of the most challenging tech issues affecting the public, such as fake consumer reviews, the origins of developer security mistakes, data collection by smart devices, and race discrimination in advertising algorithms.
Although the number of interns is contingent on available funding, most summer interns are hired in the winter and spring of each year, with the majority of positions being posted in January and February. Schedule and details vary by year, so we encourage you to check USAjobs.gov throughout the year for vacancies.