Job Description:
Research Intern for Behavior Science Research Project

Job opened: January 7, 2026

Reports to: Director of Strategic Initiatives

Job purpose

As an organization, Upstream is unique in its singular focus on reuse, position as a thought leader, and access to a large network of stakeholders from the NGO, business, and government sectors. Given the distributed, small nature of our team and large geographic focus, we take a high level role and focus on serving the movement in a way that is impactful and scalable. 

This position’s responsibilities, outlined below, will support our Strategic Initiative Team in efforts to identify tactical barriers to widespread reuse and create solutions to overcome them, with the overarching goal of achieving widespread, quality, shared, interoperable reuse infrastructure. 

More specifically, this position will support the Strategic Initiatives Director on a project to develop a behavioral science design guide for reuse systems. 

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated research intern to support a 6-month project developing a Behavioral Science Design Guide for Reuse Systems. This guide will translate research insights into practical guidance for advocates and implementers working to increase adoption and participation in packaging reuse systems. The intern will play a critical role in conducting literature review, synthesizing behavioral science research, and organizing findings to inform system design and advocacy strategies.

Project Overview

The project aims to create an action-oriented guide organized by reuse system type (open loop vs. closed loop, foodservice, retail, etc.) that presents behavioral principles alongside research-backed insights, concrete actions, and common implementation pitfalls. The guide will serve two audiences: (1) reuse advocates developing messaging campaigns, and (2) policymakers and companies designing reuse systems.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct systematic literature review across such sectors as reuse, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainable behavior research, focusing on behavioral barriers and intervention strategies

  • Catalog and organize relevant studies in a shared format with summaries and key findings

  • Synthesize research findings by behavioral principle (e.g., convenience, social norms, defaults, incentives, habit disruption)

  • Map behavioral insights to specific reuse system types and stages (adoption, use, return)

  • Identify gaps in existing evidence and flag areas requiring additional research

  • Collaborate with project lead to refine research protocol and ensure findings are accessible and actionable

  • Prepare annotated bibliography and synthesis documents organizing insights by system type and behavioral mechanism

Qualifications

Required:

  • Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a bachelor's or master's program in behavioral science, psychology, environmental studies, sustainability, public policy, or related field

  • Strong research and analytical skills, including ability to review academic literature and extract key insights

  • Existing access to academic databases, for example through a university system

  • Familiarity with behavioral science concepts (nudges, social norms, CBSM, behavior change theories)

  • Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail

  • Ability to synthesize complex research into clear, accessible summaries

  • Proficiency with reference management tools and spreadsheet software

  • Self-motivated and able to work independently with regular check-ins

Preferred:

  • Interest in or knowledge of reuse systems, circular economy, or waste reduction

  • Experience conducting literature reviews or meta-analyses

  • Coursework or research experience in environmental psychology, behavioral economics, or sustainability

Time Commitment & Compensation

  • Up to 10-15 hours per week, schedule to be determined with Upstream’s Director of Strategic Initiatives

  • Duration: Mid-February through mid-April 2026 (approximately 10 weeks)

  • $20/hour

  • All work for this position will be conducted remotely, and candidates must reside in AZ, IL, MD, ME, NC, CA, TX, or NY. 

Please send the following to jennifer@upstreamsolutions.org by January 30th, 2026.

  1. Resume or CV

  2. Cover letter describing your interest in the project and relevant experience (max 1 page)

  3. Brief writing sample demonstrating ability to synthesize research (e.g., literature review excerpt, research summary, or academic paper excerpt; no more than 2-3 pages)

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

EEO Statement: Upstream is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions at Upstream are based exclusively on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation and all other statuses as protected by the laws and regulations of the United States and/or the state of North Carolina. 

Employment at-will: The company does not offer tenure or guaranteed employment. The company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. This is called employment at-will, and this relationship exists regardless of any other written statements or policies contained in any company documents or verbal statements to the contrary.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.