The National Center for Health Research is a nonprofit think tank that bridges the gaps between research, healthcare, and health policy. Our work helps improve the lives of adults and children across the country. We have the following openings:
Assistant to the President:
This is your opportunity to get involved in communicating to the public about health policy, keep a small nonprofit running smoothly, work with healthcare and health policy experts, and directly help provide accurate information about COVID-19 and other health issues to the public.
Although we are currently working remotely, the National Center for Health Research is a small nonprofit located in Farragut Square just a few blocks from the White House, and this position will no longer be remote when the pandemic is over. Our largest program is our Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund. We need a smart, dedicated, multi-tasking professional who wants to make a difference on a national and personal level.
The position involves traditional nonprofit office work, as well as writing articles for our website, managing our social media, supervising interns, and working with other staff to respond to requests for evidence-based healthcare information.
The successful candidate will have outstanding written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, be very detail-oriented, have a good sense of humor, and the desire to do work that will benefit others.
This position is full-time, and requires a college degree and some office experience. Must be able to make at least a 1-year commitment and be available to work in Washington, DC when we return to the office (hopefully within a few months). Excellent benefits and opportunity for advancement.
Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to sm@center4research.org and list “Assistant to the President” in the subject line.
Starting salary: $30,000.00 to $40,000.00 /year depending on experience and qualifications.
No calls please.
Health Policy Manager:
Terrific opportunity for former Capitol Hill staffer who wants to influence health policy and the quality of medical care while working more reasonable hours!
Must have experience working on Capitol Hill or with Hill staff. Excellent oral and written communication skills are also required. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of Capitol Hill experience working on health issues and will have an educational background that includes knowledge of public health.
Apply now for a position beginning in January. Send a resume and cover letter explaining how your experience fits with our work and including your available start date and salary requirements to info@
Salary commensurate with experience and relevant skills.
No calls please.
FELLOWSHIPS
6-Month and 12-Month Fellowship Positions open at National Center for Health Research with Opportunity for Renewal or Advancement
Fellow (PhD, MD, MPH, or ABD):
Terrific opportunity for someone with a PhD, MD, MPH or similar graduate degree who recently completed their degree or post-doc or wants to move into the policy arena. Learn first-hand about the Washington policy scene by gaining hands-on experience with federal agencies!
We are seeking an experienced professional with expertise in quantitative research who can interpret and “translate” research findings into compelling and persuasive information for the public, policy makers, and potential funders. A doctorate or ABD in epidemiology/public health, medicine, psychology, or a closely related field is required. Excellent understanding of public health statistics and oral as well as written communication skills are also required. Grant-writing skills are a plus. $50,000/year plus benefits for full-time work (must be 32 or 40 hours per week). Must be willing to commit for 6 months or 12 months, and will be eligible for promotion. Our office is a few blocks from the White House.
Apply now for a Fellowship in 2021. Send a resume and cover letter to info@center4research.org. For more information about our Center, see www.center4research.org and www.stopcancerfund.org. For more information about our policy work, see the policy and media sections of those websites. Include your available starting date and numbers of hours per week in your cover letter. This will be an in-person position when the office can safely reopen, so consider it located in Washington, DC.
No calls please.
INTERNSHIPS
Fall, Spring, and Summer Internships are available for undergraduate or graduate students or recent graduates who are available at least 24 hours/wk for at least 3 months. Please note: We are hopeful that these internships will be in-person at our office in Washington, D.C., for at least part of the semester, rather than remote.
Through these internship opportunities, you’ll learn first-hand about the Washington policy scene and gain hands-on experience in several possible areas, including government relations/public policy development, communications/media relations, and/or non-profit fundraising and development. The National Center for Health Research is a non-profit think tank that makes a difference in the lives of millions of adults and children by working closely with the national and international media to get our message out to the public. We connect with policy makers and decision makers on a national level to change public policy. We work with independent researchers from around the country to bring fair, unbiased and non-corporate-funded information to the public about timely issues that matter to adults and children, such as obesity, the safety and affordability of medical products and treatments, sexual assault, and so much more.
Our interns become part of our team by working on various projects such as:
- Helping to gather information, whether from the Internet, from newspaper and journal articles, or contacting researchers and other experts to ask questions.
- Writing or co-authoring fact sheets, briefing materials, and letters to Congress and the Executive branch. Editing and assisting with our website, co-authoring reports, grant proposals, and journal articles.
- Attending briefings on Capitol Hill, policy panel meetings, and policy-oriented meetings with representatives from other non-profit think tanks and advocacy organizations. You can attend hearings with Members of Congress and their staff and watch as we testify at Advisory Panel meetings of the FDA, Medicare, and other federal agencies. These may be in-person or virtual.
- Researching and analyzing data, reviewing and critiquing research studies, and helping gather information for professional meetings and policy forums.
- Assisting with fundraising activities, including event planning and other development issues.
- Creating and sharing content for our social media accounts that clearly communicates important information to the general public.
- Performing outreach to college campuses, students, and other young adults.
We offer three kinds of internship experiences:
Communications and policy internship: Learn about the Washington, D.C. policy scene while working on communicating about a range of health issues. Gain experience writing and editing articles, reports, and press releases, and learn to use social media and web posting to influence people and policies.
Research and policy internship: Learn about the Washington, D.C. policy scene by researching the stakeholders’ positions on a range of healthcare issues. Develop your research skills and prepare for graduate school or a research position.
Janice Bilden Cancer Prevention internship: This intern will focus on reviewing new studies and updating our web articles to reflect the latest research on cancer prevention, including diet, exercise, and other health habits as well as avoiding dangerous exposures. This is the only internship with a stipend and is limited to a graduate student or young professional with a graduate degree. Stipend is $750/month for 3-6 months.
Topics for all the internships include cancer prevention and treatment, covid-19, obesity, the safety of medical treatments and products, women’s health, mental health, toxic exposures and other critical health issues.
We are especially interested in at least one intern with a solid background in public health and/or biostatistics.
To apply for an internship, please send a resume and cover letter with the dates and number of hours per week you would be available to work to info@center4research.org.
If you’re interested in an internship, please send a resume and cover letter describing the dates and time commitment (hrs/week) you are available to info@center4research.org. As with most non-profits, internship stipends are rarely available, so please describe any financial requirements.
What our 2019 interns said:
“The internship experience I have had at NCHR has been invaluable. From attending congressional briefings to researching and writing articles for the website, I have learned so much about the world of health policy. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work for an organization that always puts the health of the patient first.”
“In writing tweets and articles for NCHR, as well as assisting with comments submitted to federal health agencies, I have learned to succinctly articulate health research and policy to a variety of audiences and critically assess differing perspectives on health issues.”
“By attending congressional briefings and researching current health issues, I learned how to critically and objectively analyze research regarding drugs and medical devices.”
“My experience interning at NCHR has given me an incredible foundation of knowledge and skills. It’s broadened my perspective of health policy, allowed me to understand a wide range of emerging health issues, and taught me to write concisely. I look forward to using what I’ve learned here in my future studies and work.”
“Attending congressional briefings and creating content for both our website and social media has allowed me to gain specific skills and experiences that I will be able to use throughout my entire career!”
What our 2018 interns said:
“I will really cherish my lessons from this summer and the interactions that I have had with all of the incredibly impressive NCHR employees. Your mission and passion have really inspired me this summer.”
“Being an intern at NCHR has opened my eyes to the intricate world of health policy and has motivated me to continue working toward solutions that serve the patient first. This organization truly creates an impact on improving health standards, and I am grateful to all the employees here for guiding me throughout the summer.”
What our 2016 interns said:
“I cannot thank you enough for this wonderful internship. I’m grateful for this opportunity to have learned so much from this organization. I feel far more prepared for my future now! Honestly, everyone in this office is so lovely, not to mention incredibly impressive, and I’ve gained so much just from being around all of you.”
“Thank you so much for the incredible semester. You have created a welcoming and stimulating work environment, and I am grateful for everything I have learned from it. From briefings to staff meetings, I feel as though you were always willing and excited to be mentors and teachers.”
Click to read an interview with our former intern Samantha Kahn, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania.