About the Academy
The Academy of Medical Sciences is the independent, expert voice of biomedical and health research in the UK.
Our vision is good health for all supported by the best research and evidence.
Our mission is to help create an open and progressive research sector to improve the health of people everywhere.
Our new strategy for 2022-2032 focuses on the following strategic priorities.
You can read more about our strategy 2022-2032 here
COVID-19 notice
The Academy is carefully monitoring the developing situation and advice about the current global outbreak of COVID-19. The health, safety and appropriate support of candidates and interns is our first priority. Interviews for this opportunity will be conducted remotely by video call. Successful candidates will be kept closely informed on any potential impacts on their internship period, and how these can be mitigated or managed.
What the internship scheme provides
The scheme will:
Activity of interns
During the internship, the intern will be involved in a wide variety of activities that will provide them with experience in the management of research funding and career development programmes within the biomedical research field.
The intern will be involved in tasks that are consistent with the role of a Grants Officer and a Programme Officer at the Academy and will lead on discrete projects with the support of the wider Careers Team. The range of activities the intern might be involved in include:
Structure of the scheme
Four internships will be offered in three-month time blocks from January 2023 to December 2023. Candidates are invited to indicate their preferred time to undertake the placement, although we cannot guarantee the timing of placements.
We expect the internships to be full-time positions for the full three-month period.However, in exceptional circumstances, the Academy will consider requests for a reduced duration.To facilitate this time away from research, the students’ stipend is covered during the three-month internship as part of their BBSRC funding.
Remote working
Academy staff are currently mostly working from home and internships are being conducted remotely. While your main place of work will be at home, you may decide/be invited to work at the Academy offices from time to time. Furthermore, you may be asked to travel elsewhere within the UK as part of internship activities, and in such circumstances, expenses will be provided at the Academy’s normal rates. We would like to provide reassurance that we will discuss with you the feasibility of any travel, either to the Academy or elsewhere in the UK for internship activities, in consideration of government guidelines and your personal circumstances.
Each intern will be allocated a supervisor from among the Academy staff who will:
Experience of PhD students on the Academy’s internship scheme:
Former interns planning an academic career have found their experience valuable; for others it has helped them to secure jobs in science policy and science communication.
‘The internship at the Academy was one of the best experiences linked to my PhD. This is such a unique opportunity, I would encourage all PhD students to apply for these limited positions.’
‘I really enjoyed my time at the Academy, and it has definitely highlighted to me the importance of scientists and clinicians engaging in policy. I really hope in the future I will have the opportunity to contribute to policy as an academic or clinician. I would definitely recommend the scheme to others.’
‘Despite conducting my internship entirely remotely, I was made me feel incredibly welcome and really felt like part of the team, which is a testament to how kind and supportive everyone was.’
‘The internship programme has exceeded all my expectations – both in terms of responsibilities and the opportunities made available to me. The staff have all gone out of their way to welcome us, and I hope I can stay in touch long after my three months has expired.’
‘I think the main strength of the scheme is the opportunity to engage with so many people, from Academy staff from different teams to the Fellows as well as stakeholders from other organisations.’
'I haven’t had exposure to so many high profile researchers in such a short space of time before.’
Eligibility
The scheme is open to all BBSRC funded PhD students. BBSRC students are normally able to undertake a three-month internship between the second and third year of study through the Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS) scheme.Applications must be endorsed by each student’s primary PhD project supervisor. Candidates must ensure that they leave enough time to secure this endorsement before they submit their application.
Selection criteria
Skills
Competencies
Application procedure
Candidates are asked to supply – all in PDF format:
If you experience any technical issues with the form please get in touch with Maksi Vicheva (Senior HR Officer), at [email protected].
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with a selection panel of Academy staff.
Applications must be received by 15.00 on Thursday 10 November 2022.
Interviews will be conducted in w/c 21 November 2022. Successful candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application within two weeks of the interview date.
Placements on the scheme are allocated on a competitive basis so withdrawal from the scheme once a place is accepted is likely to result in another potential intern being denied the opportunity to participate.