IIP Placements in Sweden
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes and it acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, expertise, and a platform for debate on democracy issues. International IDEA’s areas of expertise include constitution-building and electoral processes, political parties, democracy and gender, and democracy assessments. IIP internship positions are available for students with a background in democratization, international affairs, civil society development, electoral processes, etc. Two placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns.
Previous work responsibilities (in the words of the previous IIP intern): My main task was to assist in updating the Direct Democracy (DD) section of International IDEA’s Unified Database. Specifically, this involved editing, formatting, and revising country-level data on legal provisions for DD instruments. In almost all cases, most of the relevant information was already available in the form of questionnaires completed by external researchers. I conducted research to find relevant legal text where necessary and searched for additional legislation to supplement and verify the information provided in the questionnaires. I edited and uploaded data to the Unified Database for a total of 15 countries, with an emphasis on European countries that have complex legal provisions for DD instruments. As part of this effort, I also compiled a checklist on how to edit and upload data on DD to the Unified Database. This mostly involved gathering existing guidelines on how to classify and organize the data for certain questions in the questionnaire. I added my own suggestions to the checklist where relevant. In addition to updating the database, I engaged in other tasks as a member of the Electoral Processes team. I drafted a background memo on the Association of World Electoral Bodies (A-WEB) for internal use and edited the first draft of the 2014-2017 strategy development document for the Electoral Processes Team. I also revised the Korean translation of an informational brochure for the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network.
Karolinska Institute, Division of Molecular Structural Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
The IIP intern will participate in an ongoing project in the lab, working alongside a graduate student or researchers. It is highly likely that the project will be working towards structural studies of proteins from the Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the human cell, but the exact target will be decided later. This group uses a wide range of techniques including cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, crystallization and X-ray structure determination. The lab will try to ensure that the IIP intern experiences as much of this process as possible, but it is almost certain that the project will include purification of protein from recombinant E. coli cells and screening for crystallization conditions, as well as other techniques. This IIP placement is ideal for IIP candidates with a background in biological sciences and an interest in biophysics or in the structure and function of proteins. Experience in the basic lab techniques of biochemistry/molecular biology, such as the use of pipettes, electrophoresis, preparation of buffers etc., would be an asset. One placement has been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern.
Previous work responsibilities (in the words of the previous IIP intern): Cloning protein constructs of proteins involved in the transport pathway from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus into bacteria and insect cells to generate protein that could be purified and crystallized for structural studies. Work responsibilites: Performing the cloning procedures, Western blots, SDS-PAGE gels, etc. The work is heavily lab based and is perfect for Molecular Biology majors. Occassionally you will write protocols outlining the modifications used in your procedure, or will analyze DNA sequences and primers on the computer.
Swedish Parliament
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
IIP interns will work as political aides to Göran Pettersson, a member of the Swedish Parliament, assisting and advising him on political issues. As part of the internship, students will learn about Sweden and Swedish politics by doing research and visiting departments, authorities, organizations, and companies. Interns will get to know other young people working for the parliamentarians. Interns will work as a sidekick/host for a Political Talk Radio podcast. Interns are expected to keep a blog about assignments and findings. Mr. Pettersson serves on the standing committee on finance, and his main spheres of interest are fiscal and monetary policy and energy and security policy. Topics, however, are not restricted to the abovementioned ones. Other sectors can be included in interns' work. The working language will be English. Learn more about the internship by listening to a podcast with Göran Pettersson http://dinledamot.blogspot.se/p/princeton-internship.html. IIP Interns should be prepared to do one trip to Gotland for the annual political week in Almedalen, and there may also be an option to spend one week at the European Parliament in Brussels. Two placements were created by Mr. Pettersson for the International Internship Program.
Previous work responsibilities (in the words of the previous IIP intern): Writing articles, hosting radio-talk shows, organizing/moderating seminars, going on study visits.