Grants and Programmes Internship

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.     

• We support researchers with innovative funding and career development opportunities.    

• We help create a more sustainable environment for delivering outstanding research.    

• We help researchers to work with academia, the public, charities, policy makers, health and social care partners, and industry to make the greatest difference to health.   

   Our new strategy for 2022-2032 focusses on the following strategic priorities.   

1. Influence policy and practice to improve the lives of patients, the public and communities   
2. Support UK biomedical and health research to strengthen its global competitiveness and reputation   
3. Support the next generation of researchers to reach their full potential   
4. Work with our partners to increase the Academy’s impact on global health   
5. Build our resources to ensure our long-term independence and effectiveness    

    You can read more about our strategy 2022-2032 here

What the internship scheme provides  

The scheme will: 

• Provide future researchers and academic leaders with a deeper understanding of the UK and international grant review process and career development support programmes, gaining a valuable insight into the wider funding landscape at a critical and exciting time. 

• Allow interns to gain insights into all aspects of the Academy’s work and experience working in a non-research focussed organisation, including learning about the management of research funding, organising events, science communications and biomedical research policy.  

• Allow interns to develop a wider network of contacts, both through their access to the Academy’s prestigious Fellowship and work with other Academy stakeholders, such as the UK National Academies. 

• Provide opportunities for PhD students to develop valuable transferable skills and to enhance their CVs. 

• The intern will be embedded within the Academy’s Careers Team and, as an early career researcher, will provide valuable perspective in the development of our schemes and programmes. 

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: 

• Supporting our growing portfolio of grant schemes, including assessing eligibility of applicants, identifying peer reviewers, attending decision-making Panel meetings and preparing feedback to the applicants. 

• Supporting the delivery of our career development programmes, including our flagship mentoring scheme.  

• Assisting in the organisation and delivery of workshops, conferences and other career development events, e.g. arranging venues, preparing conference materials, helping to co-ordinate activities on the day.  

• Contributing to the engagement strategy of the Careers Team, including working on the Academy’s awardee and alumni programmes. 

• Liaising with the Academy’s Fellowship, external stakeholders, funders and other professional bodies. 

Structure of the scheme 

Internships will be offered in three-month time blocks from January to December 2025. 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 and/or part-time working (with consent from their PhD funder).  

To facilitate this time away from research, the students’ stipend is covered during the three-month internship as part of their PhD funding. 

Remote working 

Academy staff are currently working in an agile, hybrid manner. 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; you may be required to attend the office in the first week of your internship for induction. Travel expenses for travel to the Academy’s offices at 41 Portland Place will not be provided. However, you may be asked to travel elsewhere within the UK as part of internship activities, and in such circumstances, travel 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: 

• Provide line management and guidance. 

• Conduct entry and exit interviews. 

• Co-ordinate review of the work produced by the intern. 

• Carry out relevant administration in accordance with the Academy’s Human Resources policies. 

Requirements

Eligibility  

The scheme is open to all PhD students whose funding includes a mandatory internship placement. This includes three-month internships available through the Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS) scheme and other similar schemes.  

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. 

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.  

Selection criteria 

Skills 

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills 

• Attention to detail 

• Team player 

• Excellent IT skill 

• Good literacy and numeracy skills 
   

Competencies 

• Participates in teams and engages with others effectively, understanding the benefits of collaborative working. 

• Able to plan own work to ensure maximum effectiveness and prioritises to ensure tasks completed within deadline. 

• Shows awareness of the Academy's vision and strategic priorities. 

• Considers differing audiences and adapts communication style accordingly. 

• Networks effectively with stakeholders internally and externally. 

• Respects the diverse values, views and experiences of others

Application procedure  
Candidates are asked to supply as part of their application: 

• A completed application form that includes a personal statement describing their reasons for application. Download here
• A supporting statement from their supervisor. Download here
• An up-to-date CV. 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual interview with a selection panel of Academy staff.  Applications must be received by  16.00 on Monday 7 October 2024.  

Interviews will likely be conducted virtually the w/c 21 October 2024 and may go into the w/c 28 October 2024 as required. Successful candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application within two weeks of the interview date.   

Please contact Holly Sinclair on [email protected] if you have any questions prior to applying.