Communications Assistant internship – 12-month fixed-term contract 

Start date: End of July 2026 

Interviews: Week commencing 22 June 2026 

Contract: Full-time, fixed-term 12-month contract 

Location: 2 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 4DF 

Apply by 11:59pm, Sunday 10 May 2026.  

About IFS   

The Institute for Fiscal Studies is the UK’s leading independent economics research institute and an award-winning ‘think tank’. We are independent of political influence and have a strong reputation for producing high-quality, far-reaching and policy-relevant analysis and commentary. We are recognised as a global centre of academic excellence. 

Our goal at IFS is to promote well-designed and effective economic and social policies. We do this by conducting research that helps us better understand how such policies affect individuals, families, businesses and the government's finances. Our research not only has an impact on policymakers, think tanks and practitioners, it has also gained a worldwide reputation for academic rigour.  

We communicate our research widely, providing independent advice and evidence to policymakers; collaborating with renowned academics on new economic theories and techniques; and disseminating our findings through the press, media, social media and online. Our remit and expertise are wide, covering important topics such as education, health, the public finances, retirement, consumer behaviour, the environment, development, tax, benefits, wealth, inequality and poverty. 

Purpose of the role   

We are looking for a hard-working and engaged individual to join us for a 12-month fixed-term contract as a Communications Assistant. This is a unique opportunity to gain the essential skills and experience needed to kickstart a career in communications.  

Reporting to the Communications and Publications Manager, the successful candidate will be part of a fast-paced, high-impact organisation and will gain valuable skills with on-the-job and formal training where needed. 

The role will include assisting in all aspects of communications but with an emphasis on digital. The successful candidate will work across digital platforms including our website, social media, podcasts and e-marketing. Additionally, they will help with online and in-person events and work on a wide range of day-to-day communications and press activities.  

Last year, the small but high-performing and professional communications team oversaw  44,000 mentions in the UK press, over 1.8 million website visitors, over 220 mentions in parliament, 47 events and a sector-leading podcast. They will share their expertise with the successful candidate.  

What we are looking for    

The successful candidate will be motivated by the opportunity to be a key player in an organisation that makes a real difference to people’s lives through impartial, rigorous analysis of policy and insight. This is your opportunity to be a part of that story. 

We are looking for someone who: 

• Has excellent attention to detail, a passion for accuracy and an eye for spotting errors 

• Has strong organisational and time management skills 

• Has a good understanding of the current digital and social media landscape 

• Can communicate with a range of different audiences, both inside and outside IFS 

• Is keen to learn and develop new skills 

• Has an interest in the wider political/policy landscape 

• Understands and values the importance of our political independence and our commitment to impartiality  

Alongside the Communications Team and others at IFS, you will champion a positive and collaborative approach and feel excited to be part of a team that strives to place high-quality evidence and research at the heart of everything we do.   

What you can expect from us  

• A salary of £28,860, the London Living Wage 

• Training opportunities and a positive environment in which to develop your skills  

• The chance to make a real difference, helping us to promote rigorous and truly independent research that has a genuine impact on public debate and government policy  

• The support of an experienced, fun and professional communications team and a friendly, sociable and collaborative organisation  

This role involves 

• Being a proactive, hands-on, creative, flexible and friendly member of the communications team 

• Working with the digital team in creating website pages, helping to develop and maintain areas of the website and new content 

• Producing and scheduling high-quality, accurate social media posts to promote our reports, briefings, podcasts, announcements, events and recruitment activity, including short-form videos, charts, infographics, text and explainers for a range of channels, including X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn 

• Assisting the events team with on-the-day support for in-person and online events, press briefings and academic conferences, helping to update events pages on the website and produce events collateral 

• Supporting the successful planning and scheduling of IFS communications work, including reports, comments, events, videos and social media 

• Drafting and sending newsletters and marketing emails to thousands of subscribers using Mailchimp 

• Working with the Communications and Publications Manager to learn data visualisation skills, creating and adapting charts and infographics for the website and social media 

• Keeping an eye on the external public policy and media environment and using this to feed into all aspects of communications and decision-making  

• Providing a high level of professional support to the communications team, research teams and external stakeholders as needed, and assisting with the day-to-day running of the communications function 

Our criteria for this role 

Essential   

• Strong written and oral communication skills 

• Excellent attention to detail and consistent accuracy  

• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage their time well 

• Interest in developing a career in communications 

• Competency in Microsoft Office 

• Willingness to get stuck in and an eagerness to learn  

Highly desirable   

• An understanding of and interest in the public policy and media landscape 

• Experience writing for an external audience beyond academic work 

• Experience working with a range of digital formats including social media 

• Familiarity with production tools such as Adobe or Canva 

• Familiarity with video and/or audio editing 

• Familiarity with website content management systems 

Occasional out-of-hours working may be required. 

The postholder will be expected to spend the majority of their contracted hours in the London office, with one day a week working from home if desired. 

IFS has an active social calendar with weekly teatimes, sports groups and after-work activities for a variety of interests. 

Interviews will be held in person at our London office.  

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, as this role is not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.