The Academy of Medical Sciences and the Medical Research Council (MRC) are pleased to open applications to their policy internship scheme. Under the scheme, MRC-funded PhD students will have the opportunity to undertake a 12 week policy internship at the Academy.

The scheme is designed to give students first-hand experience of the medical science policy and communications environment, to gain insights into how research can impact on policy, and to build valuable networks with the UK’s most eminent medical scientists and key science and health stakeholders.

The details of the Academy scheme are set out below. In brief, interns will be supported by a three-month extension to their PhD maintenance stipend. All eligible candidates will be assessed through a competitive application process.

Interviews for this opportunity will be conducted remotely. Successful candidates will be kept closely informed on any potential impacts on their internship period, and how these can be mitigated or managed.

Read more about the experience of PhD students on the Academy’s internship scheme here.

What the scheme provides

• Provide future researchers and academic leaders with a deeper understanding of medical science policy.
• Contribute to the exploration of medical science in its wider cultural context by helping to build bridges between the scientific community and policymakers.
• Develop a cadre of people able to work at the interface between medical science and policymaking.
• Allow students to build valuable contacts with senior scientists and policymakers, and expose them to the wide range of public, charitable and commercial organisations involved in UK medical science.
• Provide opportunities for MRC-funded PhD students to develop valuable transferable skills and to enhance their CVs.

Requirements

The scheme is open to all MRC funded PhD students (based in a university, or MRC centre, unit or institute), including clinicians undertaking a PhD as part of their MRC Clinical Research Training Award, who will be in their third or fourth year of their PhD when their internship takes place. The scheme can also be undertaken in the three month period immediately following the end of a student’s MRC funding coming to an end. For example, if your funding ends in April, May or June 2024, you would be able to participate in the July 2024 to September 2024 placement. However, you would not be able to participate in any subsequent placements.

Information about the candidate’s MRC funding period and agreement to provide a three-month extension to the candidate’s PhD maintenance stipend during his/her internship must also be provided by the appropriate administration office with signed approval of the budget holder. For internships run in person, this should be an extension at the at the MRC minimum level for London. Remote internships should be continued at the candidate’s current rate.

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.

For more info about the Academy of Medical Sciences and structure of the scheme please download the internship scheme summary.

Candidates are asked to supply:

·       A completed application form, including an endorsement and a supporting statement from their supervisor and relevant institutional administration office. Download application form.

·       A short covering letter briefly describing their reasons for application.

·       A CV.

·       A short article, no more than 800 words in length, on a medical science policy topic. Students may choose a topic related to their PhD, an area of personal interest or select from the options below.

o   Medical research in the NHS

o   Government support for science and research

o   Translating research into policy and practice

o   Scientific education and training (including women in science)

o   Interdisciplinarity and ‘team science’

o   Research regulation and governance

o   ‘Big data’ and its application in medical research

o   Chronic diseases and global health

o   Tackling emerging infections including antimicrobial resistance

o   Promoting healthy ageing

o   Strengthening health equity and prevention of disease

o   Impacts of environmental change on human health

The article should highlight the main policy issues of the chosen topic and the implications for the key stakeholders who are required to make decisions in the area, which may include government, industry and/or funding organisations. The article should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to write in a style suitable for a policy (rather than academic) audience.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to an interview with a selection panel of Academy and MRC staff.

Applications should be submitted electronically and must be received by 5pm on Monday 29 April 2024. Interviews will be conducted on week commencing 13 May 2024.

Queries should be directed to Angel Yiangou, Senior Policy Manager at the Academy, (url removed) .

If you experience any technical difficulties with the form, please get in touch with Camelia Avramescu, HR Assistant: (url removed) .