Research Intern

Deadline for application: 20 March 2026

Interviews will start immediately and continue until the vacancy has been filled

Start date: As soon as possible, exact date to be agreed

Contract: Internship based on a convention d’immersion professionnelle, i.e. CIP contract, with a monthly €1200 allowance

Duration: 6 month with possibility of renewal

Location: Brussels

The role

OpenForum Europe (OFE) is seeking a Research Intern to support our research, and outreach efforts focused on open technologies in Europe. This internship is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of EU digital policy and open source, while contributing to our work on digital sovereignty, open standards, and trustworthy tech ecosystems.

The intern will work closely with OFE’s policy team, supporting daily operations, event organisation, policy monitoring and analysis across a wide range of topics in the digital policy space.

Key Responsibilities

• You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of open source and digital government.
• You will directly contribute to OFE’s work, which is at the forefront of open technology policy and research in Europe.
• Your contributions will be part of a wide-ranging network of partners and contributors.
• You will work alongside partners from leading open source advocates, businesses, and foundations.
• You will also collaborate with EU and European Member State public administrations.

Candidate Profile & Competencies

• You must have the right to work in Belgium.
• You should be a recent graduate of a Master’s programme.
• You should have a strong foundation in research and public policy.
• You should demonstrate a commitment to digital policy and advancing principles of openness in digital markets.
• The ideal candidate is someone who cares about democratic approaches to designing and using digital technology.
• The ideal candidate is also someone who wants to learn more about the world of digital policy in Europe.
• You should be able to clearly communicate why and how you can help the organisation make a difference in these areas.

What We Offer

• A hands-on role in a high-impact digital policy environment;
• Exposure to the EU policymaking process and key open source initiatives;
• Training and mentorship by experienced policy professionals;
• Opportunities to engage with a broad network of experts, institutions, and thought leaders.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter to jobs[at]openforumeurope[dot]org with “Policy Intern [your name]” in the subject line. 

For any queries, feel free to contact us via the same email.