Research Summer 2025 Internship: DMT Landscaping & Review

As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with T1D better while driving toward cures. We invest in the most promising research to turn ideas into life-changing therapies and devices. We work with government, regulatory officials, and insurance companies to address issues that impact the T1D community -- breaking through barriers that limit access to care worldwide. We provide resources and guidance that makes it easier to live and thrive with T1D. This is more than a moment -- we're empowering a movement for the T1D community. Share your support and help educate and empower individuals facing type 1 diabetes.

Our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent and ultimately, cure T1D and its complications. Always, we are guided by a single purpose: As we drive towards curing type 1 diabetes, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it.

Project Summary

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented summer intern to join the Disease Modifying Therapies team. The project focuses on assisting with the development of a manuscript exploring the pathobiology of type 1 diabetes and the related prioritization of therapeutic strategies for each stage of disease development. The intern will work closely with Breakthrough T1D staff as well as key opinion leaders in the field to identify emerging trends, landscape the latest developments in the understanding of mechanisms underlying disease, and contextualize therapeutic strategies based upon the learnings. Highly effective organizational skills, strong interpersonal skills, and exceptional attention to detail will be critical for the successful completion of this internship. Ultimately, the goal of this project to produce a well-organized and collated landscape of the pathobiology of type 1 diabetes by stage, utilization of this landscape to outline a high-impact review manuscript that applies current therapeutic strategies, and an initial draft of the manuscript for further development.

Expected Learnings

While working on this project, the intern will:

• Gain in-depth knowledge of type 1 diabetes pathobiology, as well as knowledge of the staging and progression of autoimmunity in general.
• Develop strong research skills, including literature searches (PubMed, etc.), data extraction, and scientific analysis.
• Enhance critical thinking by identifying gaps and evaluating study methodologies.
• Improve scientific writing and communication skills through drafting, editing, and organizing content for a review article.
• Collaborate with experienced researchers, receive mentorship, and gain first-hand knowledge of the role of nonprofit organizations in the advancement of science.

Required Skills/Experience

The following skills/experience are required for applicant consideration:

• Education: Currently enrolled in a graduate program and actively pursuing a Master’s or Doctorate in immunology, biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, or a related field.
• Research: Familiarity with scientific literature databases (e.g., PubMed), experience conducting literature reviews, and based data analysis.
• Knowledge: A solid foundation in the understanding of immunology obtained through coursework and studies.
• Communication: Strong scientific writing skills, experience drafting research summaries or reports.
• Analytical Thinking: An ability to critically evaluate scientific papers, synthesize complex information, and identify research trends.
• Technical: High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), experience with reference management software (e.g., EndNote), and an ability to utilize scientific figure development programs (e.g., BioRender).
• Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively as necessary.

The following skills/experience is highly preferred:

• Previous experience/authorship of scientific publications.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics tools or data visualization platforms.
• Interest in contributing to scientific publications or pursuing a career in medical research.

Essential Functions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and infrequently up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional information:

Requests for medical, religious, and other exemptions will be considered on an individual basis. Breakthrough T1D will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Breakthrough T1D supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Breakthrough T1D is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.