NICHD Population Dynamics Branch Summer Internship

/ by

 

Summer Internship Opportunity, Population Dynamics Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National

Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health

The Population Dynamics Branch (PDB) seeks an Intern for Summer 2016. The intern will assist in the

planning, implementation, and coordination of activities in support of PDB initiatives, particularly those

related to enhancing research infrastructure and training in demography.

Responsibilities will vary based on needs and the intern’s existing knowledge and skills, and may include:

 Assisting the Branch Chief in an evaluation of the Branch’s P2C and training programs;

 Compiling overviews of the Branch’s research portfolios;

 Developing a report on the range of definitions of population health and health disparities in use

across the NIH; and

 Assisting the Branch in an assessment of current investments in large-scale data collection and

dissemination efforts.

The intern will gain knowledge of cutting edge scientific research and policy development relevant to

population dynamics, spanning demography, reproductive health, and population health. Working

closely with the Branch Chief and Program Directors, the intern will gain broad exposure to application

and funding processes, program staff and applicant/grantee interactions, and coordination with trans-

agency and trans-federal groups as well as scientific organizations.

 

Agency Description

The PDB (formerly the Demographic and Behavioral Sciences Branch) supports research and research

training in demography, reproductive health, and population health. In demography, the Branch

supports research on the scientific study of human populations, including fertility, mortality and

morbidity, migration, population distribution, nuptiality, family demography, population growth and

decline, and the causes and consequences of demographic change. In reproductive health, the Branch

supports behavioral and social science research on sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, family

planning, and infertility. In population health, the Branch supports data collection and research on

human health, productivity, behavior, and development at the population level, using such methods as

inferential statistics, natural experiments, policy experiments, statistical modeling, and

gene/environment interaction studies.

 

Qualifications Required

This position is ideal for a detail-oriented, motivated graduate student or postdoctoral fellow who is

looking to gain exposure to a broad range of activities in a funding organization. Ideal candidates will

possess at least a Master’s degree relevant to social science research and be pursuing a Ph.D. or

postdoctoral fellowship in demography (within a department of social science or relevant field of public

health). The candidate should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the

ability to work closely with administrative and scientific colleagues in support of integrated team

objectives. Creative problem solving skills and attention to detail are essential.

The Branch provides research funding to external entities. Individuals seeking a summer experience

directly participating in a research project should not apply.

 

 

Duration and Compensation

The internship runs for approximately 10 weeks, with start and end date based on the academic

schedule of the selected candidate. The intern will be responsible for their own housing and

transportation. NICHD will provide a standard office work space including a computer and NIH library

access. Annualized compensation for this position cannot exceed the pay scale for General Schedule

Grade 11, Step 4; thus, the rate per two-week pay period will be approximately $2950. Benefits are not

included.

 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, c.v., writing sample, and list of three references

(faculty members or others who can comment on the candidate’s scientific capabilities) to Rosalind King,

Ph.D., Program Director, PDB, at rozking@mail.nih.gov by March 15, 2016. Interviews will be conducted

at the Population Association of America annual meeting in Washington, D.C. on March 29-April 1, 2016.