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:
Deputy Director
Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid, 2 days/week in office, usually Tuesday/Thursday)
Start Date: May 2026
Hours: Full-time (30-35 hours/week is also an option during a transition period)
Salary Range: Salary TBD commensurate with education, relevant experience, and hours.
The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) invites applications for a newly created Deputy Director role. This position requires a scientifically rigorous, mission-driven leader who has experience working in a leadership role on federal health policy issues and has proven expertise in translating complex medical or public health data into clear, persuasive insights that inform federal policy, health professionals, and the public.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the organization’s strategic direction, expand its national influence, and advance evidence-based health policy and the quality of medical care. It involves a key role in supervising our impressive staff, organizational strategy, external partnerships, and governance. The position is expected to grow in scope and leadership over time.
What We’re Looking For
- PhD, MD, or equivalent in public health, epidemiology, medicine, psychology, or related field
- Strong biostatistics and research interpretation skills
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills for scientific and general audiences
- Experience working with federal health policies and available to work in Washington, D.C. starting June 2026 (no visa sponsorship)
- Demonstrated ability, or clear potential, to represent a highly visible nonprofit organization
- Collaborative mindset, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to scientific integrity
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze and interpret research for clinical and policy relevance
- Lead and contribute to high-impact writing, including policy briefs, public-facing materials, and public comments to federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Represent NCHR by actively participating in national meetings, coalition building, and oral presentations at federal advisory committees
- Supervise and mentor a team of researchers and public health/public policy experts
- Collaborate closely with NCHR’s president on strategy, partnerships, organizational priorities, and long-term planning
Why This Role Is Unique
NCHR has a long-standing reputation for influencing national conversations on healthcare quality, patient safety, and the use of evidence in policy decisions. The Deputy Director will help amplify this impact—shaping how research informs regulatory decisions, media narratives, and public understanding across the United States.
To apply, please submit the following to Ava Marshall at avm@center4research.org:
- Your resume or CV
- A cover letter explaining how your expertise aligns with our mission, your available start date, and salary expectations.
No calls, please.
Summer 2026 Public Health Social Media & Communications Internship
Applications are now open for a Summer 2026 Public Health Social Media & Communications Internship position at the National Center for Health Research in Washington, DC! The internship will begin in early June. If interested, please send your resume and a cover letter describing your interests and the weeks and hours per week that you are available to info@center4research.org.
This paid internship is open to graduate students and recent graduates who can commit to 30-37 hours per week for at least 12 weeks. The internship stipend is $400-500/month, with the possibility of advancement. Please note: You must be available to work in person at least 2 days per week (usually Tuesday and Thursday) in our DC office to be considered.
Through this opportunity, you’ll gain first-hand experience with key health issues and develop practical skills in communicating health information through social media and web content. Our interns become part of our team by working on various projects such as:
- Drafting and scheduling social media posts across multiple platforms
- Tracking social media analytics and identifying opportunities to improve reach and engagement
- Supporting digital campaigns and communications strategies related to our organization’s work
- Collaborating with staff to develop messaging materials on health issues and health policies
Only candidates who meet the above criteria and have a solid background in social media will be considered. Interest and experience with health issues and health policies is preferred. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to info@center4research.org. Please look at our web articles and social media platforms before applying. Your cover letter should describe how the position and our work fit with your goals and interests.
No calls please.
Our Summer 2024 Interns
Our 2024 summer interns spent July 23 on Capitol Hill. They attended a hearing about the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the House of Representatives, a briefing on vaping at the U.S. Capitol, and had a tour of the Capitol. It’s great that so many hearings and briefings are in person again!
Previous Interns
Summer 2025 Interns
- Cathryn Bigham (University of Texas, Houston)
- Melissa Stoner (University of Maryland)
- Winnie Zao (Yale University)
- Yiguang Zhu (Johns Hopkins University)
Winter/Spring 2025 Intern
- Kenya Becerra (University of California, Santa Barbara)
Summer 2024 Interns
- Hana Rahman (University of California, Los Angeles, Susan Wood Intern in Women’s Health)
- Grace Drew (University of Texas, Houston)
- Sunny Cui (Dartmouth College)
Summer 2023 Interns
- Jenny Niwa (University of Rochester, Jack Mitchell Policy Intern)
- Andrea Sun (University of Pennsylvania, Omega Logan Silva Intern)
- Avery Nork (Georgetown University, Janice Bilden Cancer Prevention Intern)
Fall 2022 Interns
- Belinda Gorsuch (Claremont McKenna College)
- Kobi Khong (Johns Hopkins University)
Summer 2022 Interns
- Shahmir Ali (Johns Hopkins University, Janice Bilden Cancer Prevention Intern)
- James S. Castro Argueta (George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Jack Mitchell Policy Intern)
- Angelica Estrada (UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Marcy Gross Intern)
Spring 2022 Interns
- Avni Patel (Cornell University, MPH, Omega Logan Silva Intern)
- Jackie Liu (University of Maryland, Research Communications, and Policy Intern)
Some comments from our previous interns:
“As an intern at NCHR, I learned how research and coordination of different strategies are needed to make effective changes in health policy. Everything needs to be backed by evidence, or else your argument is not credible. After interning, I now know where to best find the evidence and how to explain it so anyone will understand the point we are trying to make. And I was glad to have the opportunity to transition to staff at NCHR after my internship was over.”
“During my internship at NCHR, I received extensive guidance and constructive feedback from senior staff on research and writing concerning health-related topics. This experience was more than practical training in health policy research; it also nurtured in me a strong sense of social responsibility regarding the oversight of medicines and medical devices entering the market—an invaluable lesson for all citizens.”
“My internship exposed me to the intricate process of policy development and advocacy, which emphasized the significance of strong teamwork and well-researched arguments. I learned how to navigate various research information, analyze it effectively, and communicate findings clearly. This experience deepened my understanding of how research can drive meaningful change in the healthcare policy landscape.”
“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.”
“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.”