BFT - HIV/Aging Research Methods Intern

We are offering paid internships for Summer and Fall in Research Methods with a focus on HIV and Aging for undergraduates who are interested in careers in medicine, public health, scientific research, and management. Note that this internship is one of two open HIV/Aging internship opportunities. Click here to find more detailed information.

The HIV/Aging Research Methods Internship pairs undergraduate students with experienced Harvard Medical School faculty mentors to work 1:1 on a research project with a focus on interventions to reduce complications and death among older people with HIV.

Each intern will be paired with a specific faculty-mentor investigator (MD or PhD) from the Medical Practice Evaluation Center (MPEC) or Center for Aging and Serious Illness (CASI) at Massachusetts General Hospital with a focus on HIV/aging-related research. Projects could include a range of methods, including epidemiology, qualitative analysis, intervention development, clinical trials, implementation science, computer simulation modeling, and cost-effectiveness analysis. MPEC and CASI faculty mentors will break down research projects into manageable pieces that undergraduate students could tackle on the timeline of the internship (6-8 weeks).

At MPEC, research teams use computer simulation models and cost-effectiveness analysis, as well as implementation science and epidemiology to address questions of value in global health care with a primary focus on HIV and its complications and associated conditions. CASI brings together multidisciplinary researchers (e.g., medical doctors, surgeons, physical therapists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and social workers) across Mass General Hospital and the Boston community to improve the well-being of older adults and enhance the lived experience of people with advanced illnesses to achieve health equity and to holistically shape health policy.

How to Apply

Please upload the following application materials (applications that do not include all components will NOT be considered):

• Personal Statement




• 250 words describing your interests, professional goals, and past experience.




• Resume or CV
• Two professional references




• Please include both name and email contact information, as well as how you are affiliated. Examples could include: current or former manager/supervisor from work or volunteer settings, a teacher or mentor. No peer-level references, please.
• Please do not submit letters of recommendation. We will email your references to connect by phone.)




• All college transcripts. Original transcripts are preferred, although unofficial transcript copies will be accepted at the time of application (original transcripts will be required if accepted into the program).

Find more information on the HIV/Aging Internships available here.

The spring internship is scheduled to start in early March 2025 and end in late May 2025. Please note that we expect interns to be local and working at our Boston location. Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to provide relocation or housing sponsorship for this internship.

* Application Available: October 4, 2024

* Application Deadline: December 5, 2024

* Notification of Acceptance: January 27, 2025

* Program Starts: March 3, 2025

* Program Ends: May 23, 2025

• Conduct literature reviews to critically review and summarize published data.
• Develop tables and figures for visualization of data.
• Assist in the writing of abstracts and manuscripts.

* Create slide decks for project presentations.

• Prepare grant applications and Institutional Review Board documents for submission

Additional opportunities:

• Participate in career mentoring sessions with MPEC and CASI faculty regarding steps in training and future professional opportunities.

* Gain exposure to a range of research methodologies and approaches.

* Development of professional skills necessary for clinical research.

* Development of technical skills, including improving scientific writing and visual representation of data (e.g., development of figures and tables).

* Network with other student interns, MGH faculty, and staff.

• Member of a group that is underrepresented in medicine and/or public health (URiM) as defined by the National Institutes of Health. See the definition of URiM here.
• Enrolled in an undergraduate institution.
• Availability to attend the program in its entirety (see Summer and Fall start and end dates).
• Interns who have completed a Research Administration Internship at MPEC/CASI remain eligible to participate subsequently in the Research Methods Internship (and vice versa).
• Authorized to work in the United States.

This paid part-time position will be conducted in a standard office setting, requiring a commitment of 15 to 20 hours per week for 12 to 18 weeks. It's a hybrid role, with the expectation that most of the hours will be spent working in person.

Flexible scheduling for these hybrid hours is available, and we're open to discussing arrangements to accommodate individual needs. However, our preference is for the hours to align with the standard workday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

The information contained in this document is intended to describe the general contents and requirements of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities or skills of individuals so classified.