The program is open to international students and there are both paid and unpaid internships but it would seem most are unpaid. Still, they do offer some exciting work as can be seen on the the Wilson Center’s Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP) intern application page,

The Science and Technology Innovation Program welcomes applicants for academic calendar internships. STIP focuses on understanding bottom-up, public innovation; top-down, policy innovation; and, on supporting responsible and equitable practices at the point where new technology and existing political, social, and cultural processes converge. We recommend exploring our blog and website first to determine if your research interests align with current STIP programming.

We offer two types of internships: research (open to law and graduate students only) and a social media and blogging internship (open to undergraduates, recent graduates, and graduate students). Non-degree seeking students are ineligible. All internships must be served in Washington, D.C. and cannot be done remotely.

Research Internships

For graduate students, law students, or those accepted to a graduate-level program, we offer a research internship. This is normally project-based (see below for special solicitations), with current projects falling into roughly categories:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Citizen Health Innovators
• Citizen Science
• Cybersecurity
• Public Communication of Science
• Serious Games Initiative

 

Some flexibility may be available, as STIP also overlaps with other Wilson Center Programs. We encourage anyone with cross-disciplinary interests to apply, specifying the names of two programs they wish to work with.

Assignments may include:

• Conducting independent research on science and technology innovation issues relevant to STIP initiatives
• Co-authoring a journal article or Wilson Center policy brief
• Developing grant proposals
• Developing prototypes
• Writing articles and blog posts for the STIP website, in conjunction with specific projects as described above.

 

Undergraduate/Social Media Internship

Open to undergraduates, recent graduates and graduate students, our social media and blogging internship is open year-round. We do not limit by specific majors, but instead look for students who are interested in engaging with issues around STEM from a multitude of perspectives, including the applications to science, policy, and the public.

Assignments may include:

• Drafting posts for our new blog, CTRL Forward
• Assisting with events and conferences
• Researching issues around biotechnology, nanotechnology, genomics, citizen science, and serious/educational video games
• Assisting the preparation of publications and/or outreach materials
• Performing administrative assignments in support of STIP activities

 

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 Special Project Intern: Citizen Health Innovators Project

We are seeking a research intern with a specialty in topics including precision medicine, biomedical research and innovation, and/or science policy, ethics and regulation on biomedical research to work with our Citizen Science and Health Project. Applicants with backgrounds in technology development or science and technology studies (STS) will also be considered. Experience conducting cross and trans-disciplinary research is an asset.

The project associated with this internship will relate to analyzing key challenges and promises arising in the domain of citizen and patient-driven biomedical research and innovation, including interesting trends in precision medicine. The intern may:

• Help curate the Citizen Health Innovators Map and community, data-mining and reaching out to innovators and experts.
• Co-author analyses on challenges and promises in citizen and patient-driven biomedical research and innovation
• Conduct research and/or capacity building to support the mission of the Citizen Health Innovators Project, for example by advancing work in mapping citizen and patient-driven innovation and matching these trends with tech skills and regulatory expertise
• There will be opportunities to write and gain expertise – this is part of the internship goals.

Support operations may include:

• Conducting independent research on science and technology innovation issues relevant to STIP initiatives, as requested by supervisor.
• Co-authoring a journal article or Wilson Center policy brief on topics pertaining to innovations in genomics and health.
• Developing grant proposals.
• Writing articles and blog posts for the STIP website, in conjunction with specific projects as described above.

Desired skills include:

• Familiarity with precision medicine, biomedical research and innovation, and/or science policy, ethics and regulation on biomedical research
• Familiarity with national regulation and guidelines on precision medicine in USA
• Ability to write for multiple audiences (academic publications, white papers, social media, etc.)
• Ability to work independently with minimal day-to-day guidance.
• This internship is unpaid.

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 Special Project Intern: Earth Challenge 2020

Citizen science involves members of the public in scientific research to meet real world goals.  In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN), The U.S. Department of State, and The Wilson Center are launching Earth Challenge 2020 as the world’s biggest ever coordinated citizen science campaign.  EC2020 will collaborate with existing citizen science projects as well as build capacity for new ones as part of a larger effort to grow citizen science worldwide.  We will become a nexus for collecting billions of observations in areas including air quality, water quality, biodiversity, and human health to strengthen the links between science, the environment, and public citizens.

We are seeking a research intern with a specialty in topics including citizen science, crowdsourcing, making, hacking, sensor development, and other relevant topics.

This intern will scope and implement a semester-long project related to Earth Challenge 2020 deliverables. In addition to this the intern may:

• Conduct ad hoc research on a range of topics in science and technology innovation to learn while supporting department priorities.
• Write or edit articles and blog posts on topics of interest or local events.
• Support meetings, conferences, and other events, gaining valuable event management experience.
• Provide general logistical support.

This is a paid position available for 15-20 hours a week.  Applicants from all backgrounds will be considered, though experience conducting cross and trans-disciplinary research is an asset.  Ability to work independently is critical.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter describing their interest in Earth Challenge 2020 and outlining relevant skills, and two writing samples. One writing sample should be formal (e.g., a class paper); the other, informal (e.g., a blog post or similar).

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Application Process and Materials

Unless otherwise stated, internships are unpaid.

International students are eligible, but they must hold a valid F-1 or J-1 visa and appropriate work authorization. All international students must obtain written permission from their Designated School Official or Responsible Visa Officer at their university stating that they are in valid immigration status and eligible to do an internship at the Center.

The Wilson Center is an equal opportunity employer and follows equal opportunity employment guidelines in the selection of its interns.

Applying:

For all internships there is a singular process to applying: to apply please email Elizabeth.Newbury@wilsoncenter.org with the following information. Please specify in the subject line the intended time period for your internship with [SEMESTER] [YEAR] Internship e.g. “SPRING 2018 Internship”. If there is a specific topic area or project, please note that in the subject line of the email, e.g. ‘FALL 2018 Internship for Digital Futures Project.’

Due to the sheer volume of applications we receive, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. To ensure your consideration, please submit only a completed application.

A completed application will have the following materials.

• Cover letter explaining your interest in STIP
• CV/Resume
• 1-2 page writing sample  ideally demonstrating your work in science and technology research.

Good luck! And, one more thing, application deadlines,

Application Deadlines

Fall Internship: August 1
Spring Internship: November 15
Summer Internship: March 15