Science & Innovation Internship




Description of Internship Project:

The British Government maintains a network of Consulates-General throughout the United States. The British Consulate-General in Boston is the United Kingdom’s diplomatic mission covering the six New England States and focuses on a range of objectives on behalf of the British Government. This includes areas such as press and public affairs, political and economic developments, trade and investment, science and innovation, supporting British citizens with difficulties in the US, and building meaningful relationships with New England decision-makers and opinion formers on behalf of the UK. Further information about the British Consulates-General and Embassy can be found on www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk.

The UK Science and Innovation Network’s (UKSIN) Boston team is recruiting one part-time unpaid intern for mid-September 2015 to early-December 2015. UKSIN is a global network committed to science diplomacy and fostering UK/US collaborations in science and innovation. UKSIN works to four main objectives in the US: 1) promoting UK scientific expertise, 2) strengthening UK innovation, 3) informing effective policymaking and leadership, and 4) using science and innovation to influence key bodies abroad.

 

Responsibilities of the intern: (including attendance to staff meetings, policies and other expectations)

  • Research US policy and key research stakeholders and prepare presentations or reports
  • Maintain and update the SIN database of stakeholders/contacts
  • Help with logistics and staffing of related events/visits
  • Accompanying UKSIN officers on community outreach

 

Description of Deliverable at Completion of Internship: 

Example Project: This semester you’ll be working on sector briefs for ministerial and senior visits to Boston. Our SIN team in Boston covers six sectors: health and life sciences, clean energy, robotics, digital economy, agritech and oceans.  You will get to choose two or three of the sectors to write a brief, excluding oceans (Patricia leads this programme).

The intern will be fully responsible for two versions of the brief: a short version and a longer version.  The short version will be used for senior visitors and ministerial visits meaning that it must be concise, clear and understandable. It must also be written for a non-scientific audience as many of the ministers visiting will not have a science background. The longer version will be for Ronit and Patricia to inform them of where there might be opportunities for UK engagement.

The briefs will be specifically focused on the Boston area with the opportunity to expand to NY if there is time. Most of our senior visitors come to learn more about Boston’s innovation ecosystem so we would like to focus on innovate, cutting-edge ideas in the sectors chosen.

 

Evaluation of the deliverable:

Feedback given at end of internship.

 

Mentor / Reporting for the intern:

The intern will be able to choose which skills they would like to work on and focus on those for mentoring/coaching sessions with line manager.  There will be one coaching session per week.

 

Professional Development Objectives/ Benefits to the intern: 

As stated above, the intern will choose which skills they would like to work on and focus on those. For example, if they choose networking as a skill they would like to work on, we will provide various opportunities to develop their networking skills on events with feedback on how successful they were during their coaching sessions.

 

Requested Qualifications of Intern: (i.e. specific expertise in certain research area, specific experience with certain skill such as research or data analysis excel modeling, valuation, etc):

 

Minimum Qualifications/Experience:

  • Effective computer-based research skills
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • The ability to process confidential information with the utmost discretion
  • Strong organisational skills and ability to adapt
  • Proficient in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook

 

Internship Start and Duration:

Desired Start date: Start date is usually around late August/early September for fall and late January/early February for spring.
Duration:  3 months for fall and spring internships

 

Desired Time Commitment:

Part-time (approx. hr/week):8-25 hours per week

 

Compensation: $100/month

 

Can work be performed remotely? Yes, however, this should be discussed with line manager first.