Generative AI Research Intern at UNDP | Home-Based with Stipend | Apply by September 1, 2025. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking a Generative AI Research Intern to support the Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) and the SDG AI Lab. This six-month, home-based internship focuses on applying generative AI, natural language processing (NLP), and large language models (LLMs) to address global development challenges like poverty, inequality, and digital inclusion. Open to graduate students and recent graduates in computer science, economics, or related fields, this role offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools and frameworks, a stipend, and the chance to contribute to sustainable development goals. Fluency in English is required. Apply now to join UNDP’s mission to harness AI for social good.
Background & Job Description
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in approximately 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience. UNDP helps countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing complex development challenges through innovation, partnerships, and policy advocacy.
This internship opportunity is hosted by the Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD), which leads UNDP’s private sector strategy by mobilizing businesses, foundations, and other stakeholders to engage in sustainable development. ICPSD focuses on facilitating knowledge sharing, catalyzing private sector initiatives for SDG implementation, and promoting innovative financing models like blended finance.
The intern will also support the SDG AI Lab, a joint initiative of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) teams, hosted under ICPSD. The Lab provides research, development, and advisory support through cutting-edge digital solutions, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and geographic information systems (GIS). Its mission is to strengthen UNDP’s capacity and that of its partners for digital transformation, leveraging AI to tackle global development challenges.
This home-based internship is designed for graduate-level students and recent graduates seeking practical experience in applying generative AI to development contexts. The intern will contribute to research and projects that explore the use of NLP, LLMs, and other AI technologies to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and digital inclusion. This role aligns with UNDP’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and individuals from marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The intern will be responsible for a range of duties aimed at supporting the SDG AI Lab and ICPSD’s work on generative AI and sustainable development:
- Research on Generative AI Applications: Conduct in-depth research on the use of generative AI, including NLP and LLMs, to address global development challenges. This includes reviewing existing literature, identifying gaps, and proposing innovative solutions for issues like poverty reduction, inequality, and digital inclusion.
- Draft Analytical Briefs: Prepare clear and concise analytical briefs that communicate research findings, use cases, and methodologies related to generative AI in development. These briefs should be accessible to diverse audiences, including policymakers, development practitioners, and the public.
- Develop and Implement AI Solutions: Support the development and implementation of generative AI, NLP, and LLM solutions for economic and international development projects. This may involve designing prompts, fine-tuning models, and evaluating their performance.
- Power Automate Integration: Assist in implementing Power Automate workflows to connect prompt engineering processes with Microsoft tools like Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams, enhancing efficiency and automation.
- Administrative and Logistical Support: Provide general support to the Technical Specialist, including participating in meetings and conferences, drafting meeting minutes, and performing other administrative tasks as needed.
- Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Work closely with team members to share insights, contribute to collaborative projects, and support capacity-building initiatives within UNDP and among partners.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
- Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a second university degree programme (Master’s Degree) in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Statistics, Econometrics, Mathematics, Economics, or a related field.
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (Bachelor’s Degree) in one of the above fields.
- Have graduated with a university degree in one of the above fields within the past year.
- Certifications in AI, machine learning, or related areas (e.g., TensorFlow Developer Certificate, AWS Machine Learning Certification) are advantageous but not required.
Experience
- Hands-on experience implementing machine learning models using frameworks such as Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.
- Previous experience in NLP projects, including the use of libraries and models like NLTK, SpaCy, BERT, RoBERTa, or GPT-4.
- Proficiency in prompt engineering, with demonstrated experience designing and testing prompts for LLM applications.
- Familiarity with open and closed-source LLMs, such as OpenAI, Gemini, LLaMA, and other foundation models.
- Exposure to LLM chaining frameworks like LangChain, LlamaIndex, and ChromaDB.
- Knowledge of evaluation frameworks for assessing AI system performance, bias, and robustness.
- Experience with Power BI, Power Automate, or other Microsoft Power platforms is a plus.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and communicate complex data clearly.
Generative AI Research Intern at UNDP | Home-Based with Stipend | Apply by September 1, 2025.
Additional Information
This is a six-month, home-based internship with a full-time commitment. The intern will receive a stipend according to UNDP’s internship policies if not financially supported by another institution. The stipend amount is determined based on the duty station and published yearly by UNDP’s Office of Human Resources.
Key Details:
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2025.
- Required Languages: Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of another UN language (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is an asset.
- Location: Home-based, with possible collaboration with the ICPSD team in Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Insurance: The intern must secure valid medical and life/accident insurance for the internship duration.
- Visa and Logistics: The intern is responsible for arranging their own visa and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Application Process:
Interested candidates must submit:
- A brief cover letter in English stating their interest and qualifications.
- A current and complete CV in English.
- Combined PDF of all documents uploaded to the UNDP application portal.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to provide official documents confirming their education status and proof of insurance.
Note: This internship does not lead to employment with UNDP. Its purpose is to complement the intern’s studies and provide practical experience. UNDP is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from minority groups, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities.
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