Market Research Intern

Developing data-driven insights to accelerate the alternative protein industry

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

How you will make a difference 

In this position, you will have the opportunity to learn and develop your analytical and storytelling skills in the form of market research projects that aim to advance our understanding of the alternative proteins industry and Americans’ food attitudes and behaviors. The Market Research Intern will be responsible for the following:

• Supporting a custom research project on online food narratives and mis- and disinformation on alternative proteins, including conducting social media tracking analysis and helping draft a consumer survey.
• Conducting desk research and literature reviews on external consumer research publications on alternative proteins to update a comprehensive research library.
• Supporting GFI’s Corporate Engagement team in addressing ad hoc consumer research questions from academic researchers and industry experts.
• Performing other duties to support market research as assigned.

Who we’re looking for 

An ideal candidate for the Market Research Intern position will have experience that reflects the following:

• Experience with data analysis and visualization, whether through work, academic, or personal projects. 
• Quick and intuitive grasp of spreadsheets and familiarity with statistics to sense check findings. Experience with Excel preferred.
• Ability to tell a concise and compelling story from data, including visual mediums like PowerPoint and Google Slides and to write whitepapers tailored for academic and business audiences.
• Familiarity with cultural narratives around food; willingness to dive into and understand narratives shaping Americans’ food choices from across political and cultural belief systems, as reflected in conventional and social media.
• Interest in the alternative protein industry.
• A commitment to fostering a work environment that is respectful, supportive, fair, and welcoming to all.
• Strong support for GFI's philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI's values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

GFI wants the best people and is committed to a fair hiring process. We use a third-party anonymizing tool to redact personal information from submitted applications — including name, location, contact details, and several other factors — to increase fairness in our process. We also prioritize an inclusive work environment absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team. People of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability are encouraged to apply. 

If you are passionate about GFI’s mission, think you have what it takes to be successful in this position, and meet many of the job requirements even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The fine print

• Position Type: Independent Contractor
• Position Term: 20 hours per week for 12 weeks
• Reports to: Taylor Leet-Otley, Consumer Research Lead
• Location: Remote; United States 
• Stipend: The hourly rate for determination of the stipend is $20/hour, which will be $4,800 for 20 hours of work a week for 12 weeks and will be paid pro-rata biweekly over the length of the assignment.
• Reports to: Taylor Leet-Otley, Consumer Research Lead

Important dates

Application deadline: July 24, 2025

Anticipated start date: September 9, 2025