View Vacancy - Science Policy Intern

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Science and Innovation

Background:

  • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the Government body responsible for public funding of research and innovation in the UK. The US team based in the British Embassy in Washington, DC, helps to foster dialogue and collaboration between UKRI and research funders in the US, enabling the best researchers in both countries to work together to maximise the impact of their work.  

  • The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) works across the entire UK and US science and innovation landscape supporting UK stakeholders to make international connections, set up strategic collaborations and leverage research and innovation funding, driving global prosperity and growth.

  • The UKRI and SIN teams in DC work closely together to promote UK-US science collaboration. The Science Policy Intern would work across the two teams to gain a broad understanding of science policy and research funding.

  • The intern will focus on developing resources for the UKRI and SIN teams that offer in-depth understanding of the science policy and research funding landscapes in the US in key areas of interest for UK-US collaboration. These will contribute to the teams’ future planning and work in these areas.


Duties and Responsibilities:


  • Produce reporting on the US science policy and funding landscape in agreed thematic areas (e.g. quantum technologies) by conducting desk research, synthesising findings and writing a final report. (60%)

  • Present draft findings from the research conducted to the UKRI / SIN teams, to ensure the team are fully briefed on key messages about the US policy and research landscape in the target field. (10%)

  • Assist in the planning, preparation, delivery and follow up of senior visits and science events. This may include a reception bringing together British and American research funders, and academic communities. (20%)

  • Contribute to UKRI / SIN team meetings and other meetings as requested. (10%)




  • Must be a junior or a senior in an undergraduate program, or enrolled in a graduate program by the start date of your internship (least 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework completed). Since this is an unpaid internship, students receiving college credit in exchange for their internships is required.

  • Excellent written and oral presentation skills.

  • Experience of conducting secondary research / literature reviews.  

  • Interest in and willingness to learn about science policy.

  • Although there is no requirement for the intern to have a specific scientific background, it is expected that the intern will be able to engage with expert scientific topics on a general level.  


20 June 2018
Internship
Intern, Fixed Term
15-25
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
$100
27 August 2018
14 December 2018

This program offers internships for 15-25 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer. These are unpaid internships, for college credit only, but the Embassy does provide a stipend of $100 per month for transportation costs. This internship will start on 27 August 2018 and end on 14 December 2018.



Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders, A or J1 Visa holders with valid Work Authorization Document. If you hold a Visa other than an A or J1 Visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

 

Resume and a cover letter should be submitted in a .doc(word) file format by 20 June. Please note in your cover letter if you are currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

The British Consulate General is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or other category protected by law.


Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.