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:
Project Manager, Medical Research Communications
The successful candidate will manage our new 2-year project, which will directly train journalists and medical writers to understand the implications of comparative effectiveness studies; engage them in a network that also includes independently funded researchers, medical experts, and patient partners who are knowledgeable about specific studies; and help ensure that new study results are widely disseminated. Our multi-pronged strategy has the potential to reach tens of thousands of healthcare professionals as well as millions of patients and family members. Substantial media coverage of well-designed studies will prompt patients and their family members to request safe and effective treatments that they heard about in the media.
We will hold two workshops to improve communication between specific researchers and journalists/medical writers. We also will hold press teleconferences to highlight 3-6 studies when the results first become available, and offer conference calls, webinars, and other activities aimed at creating a network of journalists and medical writers who understand the importance of comparative effectiveness research as well as a community of researchers, patient partners, and medical experts who are skilled at communicating with the media.
The ideal candidate will be attentive to details, very well-organized, dedicated to improving public health, comfortable summarizing quantitative data, have excellent oral and written communication skills, and work well with journalists and with health professionals. Preference will be given to candidates with management skills/experience and the ability to explain quantitative research data on medical or public health issues to non-scientists.
Must be willing to commit to 32-40 hours per week for at least one year, preferably two. Our office is on Farragut Square (next to Metros for red, blue, orange, and silver lines). A background in health communications, and/or a Masters in epidemiology/public health, or closely related field is required. Salary of 50,000/year with benefits.
No calls please. Please send your resume and cover letter describing how your interests and expertise fits this position as soon as possible to info@center4research.org. Include your available starting date and numbers of hours per week (at least 32) in your cover letter. Please note: this is not a telecommuting position
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.
FELLOWSHIPS
6-Month and 12-Month Fellowship Positions open at National Center for Health Research with Opportunity for Renewal or Advancement
Senior Fellow:
Terrific opportunity for someone with a PhD or MD or similar doctorate who recently completed their degree or post-doc or wants to move into the policy arena. 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 in epidemiology/public health, medicine, psychology, or closely related field is required. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. Grant-writing skills are a plus. $50,000/year plus benefits for full-time work for candidate with a doctorate or medical degree (must be at least 32 hours per week).
Apply now for a Fellowship beginning as soon as possible. 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. No calls please.
Fellow: An MPH or ABD
An MPH or ABD in epidemiology/public health, psychology, or closely related field is required. Other skills as described above. The starting salary is $35,000-40,000/year for a full-time position.
Learn first-hand about the Washington policy scene by gaining hands-on experience! We are a non-profit think tank that makes a difference in the lives of millions of adults and children. We work 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 health issues such as the safety of medical products and treatments, dating violence, women’s health, affordable health care, and so much more.
The ideal candidate will be attentive to details, well-organized, dedicated to health issues, have excellent oral and written communication skills, and work well individually and as part of a team. Preference will be given to candidates with the ability to critique quantitative research data on medical or public health issues and to explain it in an interesting way to a lay audience. This is a part-time (at least 32 hours/week) or full-time 6-month position, eligible for renewal or promotion after 6 months. Our office is a few blocks from the White House.
We will fill this position asap, so do not apply if you are not available soon. To learn more about us, check out www.center4research.org and www.stopcancerfund.org. No calls please. Please send your resume and cover letter describing how your interests and expertise fits our work as soon as possible to info@center4research.org. Include your available starting date and numbers of hours per week in your cover letter. Please note: this is not a telecommuting position.
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.
Through these internship opportunities, you will learn first-hand about the Washington policy scene by gaining hands-on experience in several possible areas, including government relations/public policy development, communications/media relations, and/or non-profit fundraising/development. We are a non-profit think tank that makes a difference in the lives of millions of adults and children. We work 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.
- Researching and analyzing data, reviewing and critiquing research studies, and helping gather information for professional meetings and policy forums.
- Communicating with reporters and with the public via social media and our online hotlines.
- Assisting with fundraising activities, including event planning and other development issues.
- Performing outreach to college campuses, students, and other young adults.
We offer four kinds of internship experiences:
Janice Bilden Cancer Prevention internship: This is the only internship with a stipend and is limited to a graduate student or young professional with a graduate degree. 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. Stipend is $500/month for 3-6 months.
Communications and policy internship: Learn about the Washington, D.C. policy scene while working on communicating about a range of health issues. Work with national media and gain experience writing and editing articles, reports, and press releases, and using the Internet 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.
Marketing internship: Learn how non-profit policy organizations operate by working to increase the impact through social media following, developing strategies, researching grant funding sources, and building relationships with donors and partner organizations.
Topics for all the internships include cancer prevention and treatment, obesity, safety of medical treatments and products, women’s health, dating violence; toxic exposures; and other health issues.
We are especially interested in at least one intern with a solid background in public health and/or biostatistics.
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 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.”
What our 2015 interns said:
“Overall, I feel like I gained a much better understanding of the field of health policy. I really enjoyed getting to do data analysis, getting to write 
articles, and learning more about 21st Century Cures.”
“This internship was amazing because it allowed me to gain a wide range of experiences and skills. My number one take away from this internship is the importance of scrutinizing research, big pharma, and news, which is a very important lesson and will have a lasting impact on me.”
“The most valuable experiences during my internship were writing articles for the website, and attending briefings on Capitol Hill. Writing articles made me feel like I was contributing to the company, and that I had learned enough from the people here to examine and synthesize research on my own. The briefings were a great way to see how our focus fit into the broader scope of domestic health policy issues.”
Click to read an interview with our former intern Samantha Kahn, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania.