BFT - HIV/Aging Research Methods Intern

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

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. Also include your preferred start date, Summer or Fall 2024.
• Resume or CV
• Two personal references (Examples could include: current or former manager/supervisor from work or volunteer settings, a teacher or mentor)
• 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.

We welcome applications as early as January 16th. The start date for this position will be in June 2024 and the end date is August 2024 for the Summer. The Fall start date is September 2024, and it ends in November 2024.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

What Interns will do with 1:1 mentorship from a faculty investigator

• 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.
• Help to prepare slide decks for project presentations

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.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• 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).

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Duties will be carried out in a typical office environment, with the potential for some duties to be performed remotely. Hours will be approximately from 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday, with some flexibility.