Careers & Internships

EPIC is a public interest research center in Washington, DC. EPIC was established in 1994 to focus public attention on emerging privacy and civil liberties issues and to protect privacy, freedom of expression, and democratic values in the information age. EPIC pursues a wide range of program activities including policy research, public education, conferences, litigation, publications, and advocacy. EPIC routinely files amicus briefs in federal courts, pursues open government cases, defends consumer privacy, organizes conferences for NGOs, and speaks before Congress and judicial organizations about emerging privacy and civil liberties issues. EPIC works closely with a distinguished advisory board, with expertise in law, technology and public policy. EPIC maintains one of the most popular privacy web sites in the world—epic.org.

We welcome applications for jobs, fellowships, and clerkships. Please see the listings below for current openings and application deadlines.

EPIC is an equal opportunity employer. EPIC strongly encourages women, people of color, and underrepresented populations to apply for positions at EPIC. 

Jobs

COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE

EPIC seeks a full-time Communications Associate based in Washington, D.C. This is a hybrid role with a flexible telework policy.

The Communications Associate will translate complex legal, policy, and technology concepts into everyday language to promote EPIC’s work across various mediums. The role will support both EPIC’s day-to-day communications and social media outputs as well as the medium- to long-term rollout of major projects, events, and campaigns. The Communications Associate will be supervised by members of the communications team, including a senior staffer, and work alongside other staff to provide our program teams with support in all areas of communications strategy, development, and execution. We are looking for someone who is passionate about EPIC’s mission, able to identify opportunities for increase EPIC’s reach and impact, equipped to work independently and execute ideas and projects, and eager to play a key role in a small but mighty organization fighting to protect privacy.

This role is a new position that builds on the work of part-time communications interns and fellows over the past 18 months. It will begin as a supervised junior position with the opportunity to take on more responsibility and seniority overtime, and the potential to help build out EPIC’s communications team further in the future. With this in mind, the Communications Associate should be willing to provide suggestions and feedback on our current communications practices, trial innovative ideas and strategies, and work to develop new publicity initiatives. Proactive, highly motivated, and detail-oriented people are encouraged to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Promote EPIC’s work to media, lawmakers, academics, other organizations, funders, and the general public by distilling complex legal and policy information into accessible, compelling written and visual content.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of EPIC’s social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Bluesky), including content idea generation, drafting, scheduling, and publishing content across platforms.
• Perform content publishing and website management. This includes creating webpages on WordPress, drafting and publishing updates of major EPIC outputs or key developments in our issue areas on our home page, and regularly updating EPIC in the News and the Events page.
• Manage the development and execution of communications plans for major projects, campaigns, and events. This includes creating graphics, coordinating press outreach, drafting and sending press releases, drafting and publishing social media posts, drafting emails to partners and EPIC board members, creating physical and digital event materials or handouts, etc.
• Track and compile EPIC’s news coverage.
• Design and format EPIC outputs such as reports, white papers, or one-pagers. Create brand-aligned graphic content for web, social, or internal/external communications.
• Monitor incoming press inquiries, alert relevant staffers, and ensure timely follow-up on time-sensitive press requests.
• Draft and circulate EPIC’s monthly email newsletter, the “EPIC Alert.”
• Track and analyze EPIC’s web stats and social media metrics on a monthly basis, and present key takeaways at an all-staff meeting once a month.
• Coordinate with external partners on joint press and media strategies.
• Strategize and assist in growing EPIC’s newsletter list, membership, and social media following. EPIC welcomes creative thinkers who want to work closely with staff to develop new ways to implement the organization’s communications goals.
• Engage in big-picture thinking about how to best ensure that EPIC’s work reaches all desired audiences. This includes creating routines and processes for ensuring communications strategy is top of mind for EPIC staff, collaborating with EPIC staff to brainstorm ways to highlight their work more effectively, and building narratives that tie EPIC’s work threads together and tell a cohesive story.
• Engage in other projects and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet all of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of these qualifications.

• 2-4+ years of experience in a communications role.
• Passion for EPIC’s mission and values, primarily an interest in securing the right to privacy for everyone and ensuring tech policy centers humans.
• Strong editorial judgement and experience in social media management and content creation, including writing and editing copy and creating visual assets. A strong candidate should have experience with social media platforms like Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Facebook.
• Strong writing and communication skills, including an ability to effectively translate complicated legal concepts into everyday language.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines, juggle multiple projects, and prioritize time-sensitive tasks. Must be able to independently work in a busy environment that requires an ability to multi-task and transition easily between projects.
• Be an adept problem-solver and have a willingness to learn new skills or tools.
• Be a self-starter who is capable of being creative on self-guided tasks while also possessing the ability to be flexible and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Be comfortable approaching other EPIC staff members to ask for their input on communications material related to their work and collaborating with them to ensure accuracy and timeliness in promoting work products.   
• Undergraduate or graduate degree studying communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing, public policy, political science, law, technology, international studies, nonprofit management, or other related fields preferred; or the equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Experience in nonprofit, legal, public policy, government, or advocacy organizations is a plus.
• Experience with email marketing platforms and website content management systems is a plus.
• Experience in building relationships with reporters and successfully securing earned media or op-ed/column placements is plus.
• Experience in web and social analytics tools, SEO/GEO best practices, and content management platforms is a plus.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, WordPress, Canva is preferred; experience with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator is desirable.

Compensation

• This position offers a competitive salary range of $60,000–75,000 annually, commensurate with experience. EPIC provides all employees with a comprehensive benefits package that includes full employer-paid health coverage, 401k matching after the first year, paid vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, observance of all federal holidays, office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day, monthly health and wellness benefit, worker’s compensation, and monthly transit benefit.

Application

Applicants should send a single PDF that includes a cover letter, resume, sample of work or link to portfolio, and a list of three references to [email protected]. The sample of work should include examples of written and visual communication such as social media content, a communications plan/strategy, press releases, email newsletters, blogs, graphics, report designs, promotional materials, etc. Please use the subject line “EPIC Communications Associate Application” in your email. EPIC is accepting applications now on a rolling basis until October 1. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Fellowships

EPIC LAW FELLOWSHIP

EPIC invites outstanding applications for the 2027 EPIC Law Fellowship. EPIC encourages applications from law students graduating in 2027, recent graduates, and judicial clerks. 

The EPIC Law Fellow will fill an integral role in EPIC’s Washington, DC office. The Fellow will work on various EPIC Projects in areas such as Administrative Law, Appellate Advocacy, Consumer Privacy, International Privacy, Open Government, Surveillance Oversight, and State Policy. Creative, highly motivated, and accomplished law school graduates are encouraged to apply. 

The EPIC Law Fellowship is a one-year position to begin September 2027, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. 

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Undertake legal research. 
• Draft complaints, petitions, briefs, and testimony. 
• Pursue Freedom of Information Act requests and identify appellate amicus opportunities.  
• Prepare posts for EPIC website and EPIC Alert. 
• Participate in legal strategy sessions and coalition meetings.  
• Provide support and assistance to EPIC staff and EPIC advisory board. 

Compensation  

The EPIC Law Fellow will receive an annual salary of $66,000. EPIC provides all employees with a comprehensive benefits package.  

EPIC would also be pleased to serve as a host organization for recent law graduates that have obtained funding from their law schools. EPIC is happy to work with applicants to obtain funding from their respective law schools or foundations. 

How to Apply 

Applicants should prepare a single PDF that includes a cover letter, resume, unofficial law school transcript, writing sample, and references in that order. The writing sample should be legal in nature (brief, memorandum, or research paper) and should be the applicant’s own work, not a collaborative piece or something heavily edited by someone else. Please send the complete document, not an excerpt.  

Letters of recommendation are welcome and encouraged, not to exceed more than two. Applications to be submitted via email should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line “EPIC Law Fellowship.” 

Please direct cover letters and letters of recommendations to Jeramie Scott, EPIC Senior Counsel. Although applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, we recommend applicants submit their materials by September 30, 2026 to ensure consideration. 

Experience and Qualifications 

• J.D. before September 2027.  
• Exceptional academic background.  
• Outstanding research, writing, and analytic skills.  
• Passionate commitment to public interest law. 
• Deep interest in EPIC’s subject areas.  
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team environment.  
• Journal experience, such as law review, preferred but not required.  
• Masters degree in computer science or related field preferred but not required.  
• Judicial clerkship preferred but not required.

Other Fellowships

Each year, EPIC seeks qualified recent law graduates to apply for project-based fellowships. EPIC seeks to serve as a host organization for applicants for these fellowships, which are funded by outside organizations, including law schools (e.g., Georgetown Law’s Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program and Yale Law School’s Arthur Liman Public Interest Program), Equal Justice Works, the Skadden Foundation, Justice Catalyst, and the Open Society Foundations. These project-based fellowships are highly competitive and seek to fund new and innovative public interest law projects. These fellowships are a chance to gain high quality public interest legal experience.

Applicants should contact EPIC describing their interests. Applicants should be aware of the outside funder organization’s deadline, and that it takes time for EPIC to evaluate and work with a candidate to develop a quality proposal. The earlier candidates contact EPIC with their proposal, the stronger the proposal can be developed.

Please direct inquiries about project-based fellowships funded by outside organizations to [email protected]. Please address correspondence to Jeramie Scott, EPIC Senior Counsel.

Internships/Clerkships

Internet Public Interest Opportunities Program (IPIOP) Clerkships

The EPIC Internet Public Interest Opportunities Program (IPIOP) is an intensive legal internship held during the summer, fall, and spring terms. EPIC seeks outstanding law students interested in public interest issues related to privacy and the Internet to spend a summer or a semester at the EPIC office in Washington, DC.

Description: Learn about the legislative process, public interest litigation and advocacy, and emerging privacy issues.

The IPIOP Program gives law students the opportunity to actively participate in valuable programs in Internet law, policy, and legislation. In the summer, IPIOP clerks attend weekly seminars led by eminent scholars and practitioners in the field of Internet policy and are exposed to a variety of issue areas and assignments. In the fall and spring semester, IPIOP clerks work closely with specific program teams and dive deeper on specific issue areas. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities for clerks to experience first-hand the new and exciting intersection between Internet law, privacy, and public policy.

Washington, D.C. provides an ideal location for an introduction to Internet law and policy. IPIOP clerks may attend agency proceedings, policy meetings, Congressional hearings, and visit many landmarks in the Nation’s Capital.

Policy: IPIOP clerks research and draft memoranda on critical issues before Congress, state and local lawmakers, and agencies. Clerks learn about the legislative process which includes: making a case directly to lawmakers and agencies, engaging in discussion about the details of proposed legislation or rulemaking, and establishing connections with critical committees and decision makers.

Government Oversight: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a powerful tool for public interest organizations to learn about otherwise inscrutable governmental activities and to promote public oversight. IPIOP clerks research and draft memoranda on government activities, and may submit FOIA requests on a controversial issue to one of many governmental agencies. Clerks also assist in litigating pending FOIA matters.

Litigation: Clerks assist EPIC staff in developing litigation strategy in key cases with significant impact on critical Internet issues. Clerk activities in this area include researching and drafting memoranda, contributing to briefs, and meeting with attorneys.

Collaboration: EPIC works in association with public interest litigators and advocates across the country. Clerks will have opportunities to observe and work on projects in collaboration with our external partners.

Qualifications: Energy, enthusiasm, and creativity. Currently enrolled in law school (students enrolled in non-US schools are welcome to apply). Excellent writing and communication skills. Strong interest in civil liberties issues relating to the Internet, particularly free speech, privacy, open government, and democratic governance.

Application: Submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample, law school transcripts, and three references in a combined PDF to [email protected]. Please use the email subject line “EPIC IPIOP Clerkship” and indicate semester or summer, e.g., “Spring 2026,” “Summer 2026.” 

Application deadlines: 

Spring Semester (typically for an internship from Jan through April or May): September 1 – November 15

Summer (typically for an internship from May through July or August): September 15 – February 22

Fall Semester (typically for an internship from Sept through Dec): April 15 – July 15

Applications will be evaluated as they are received. You are encouraged to apply early, as we will be accepting on a rolling basis. 

Compensation: This is an unpaid clerkship. Law schools routinely fund IPIOP clerkships. Upon law school approval, IPIOP clerks may also receive course credit for their time spent with EPIC. EPIC is happy to work with applicants to obtain funding from their respective law schools.

IPIOP Experiences

Siri Nelson, Northeastern Law School (Fall 2017) “An EPIC Experience”

Ruchika Agrawal, Stanford (IPIOP Science Policy Fellow) “Profiles of Success.”

Mark Pike, William & Mary (Summer 2007) “An EPIC Summer”

Caitriona Fitzgerald, Northeastern Law School (Spring 2007) “On the Cutting Edge”