What are the responsibilities and job description for the NAM Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation – College Student Hire position at The National Academies?
Job Description Summary:
About the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)The National Academy of Medicine (NAM), established in 1970 under the name Institute of Medicine (IOM), is an independent organization of eminent professionals from diverse fields, including health and medicine; the natural, social, and behavioral sciences; and beyond. With the authority of the 1863 Congressional Charter of the National Academy of Sciences requested and signed by President Abraham Lincoln, the NAM serves alongside the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering as adviser to the nation and the international community. The NAM’s mission is to advance science, inform policy, and catalyze action to achieve human health, equity, and well-being.
About the Program
Breakthroughs in biomedical research, data science, and technology are revolutionizing health and medicine—unlocking immense potential while challenging the scientific community to navigate critical challenges related to access, cost, ethics, and broader societal impacts. The Action Collaborative on Translating Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation (ACT-ESTI) is a public-private partnership dedicated to advancing a responsible biomedical innovation ecosystem. Through collective action across sectors, ACT-ESTI members work to ensure that scientific and technological advances in health and medicine are responsive to individual and societal needs while helping society anticipate and address their broader implications.
Taking a systems-level approach, ACT-ESTI focuses on two key workstreams: fostering a culture of responsible innovation and strengthening anticipatory governance. The first workstream explores how stakeholders—researchers, funders, publishers, investors, and regulators—can integrate ethical and societal considerations into the innovation process, aligning incentives and governance frameworks to promote responsible research and development. The second workstream pilots tools to assess emerging technologies before commercialization, ensuring they align with ethical, economic, and societal priorities. Together, these efforts aim to create structured, scalable approaches that guide responsible biomedical innovation.
About the Position
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is seeking a highly motivated and curious college student to join our team as an intern under the direction of the NAM Director of Special Initiatives, Special Assistant to the President and as a team member in the NAM Office of the President. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of science, technology, ethics, and health policy.
The intern will support a variety of activities related to emerging science, technology, and innovation in health and medicine, with a particular emphasis on responsible biomedical innovation, technology assessment, and the ethical and societal implications of emerging biotechnologies. In addition to research-related tasks, the position will involve contributing to broader programmatic efforts and assisting with the planning and coordination of meetings, workshops, and events. This includes managing logistics, preparing materials, and helping with day-to-day administrative operations within the NAM Office of the President.
Ideal candidates will be enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and intellectually curious, with strong research, writing, and organizational skills. The internship is designed for students who are interested in learning more about science and technology policy, program operations, and the role of ethics in innovation. Interns will work closely with a collaborative and supportive team and will have the opportunity to contribute to special projects that align with their interests and learning goals.
This position is open to college students from any major. We especially welcome those with an interest in the societal dimensions of science and technology, and a desire to explore how research and innovation shape the future of health and medicine. Through this internship, students will gain valuable exposure to the work of the National Academies and the broader policy landscape, along with mentorship, skill-building, and insights into potential career paths at the intersection of science, policy, and public service.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
1. Administrative: Performs administrative and logistical tasks. Creates and maintains databases and files. Provides meeting support and assistance as needed.
2. Writing and Editing: Proofreads and copyedits documents. May prepare documents related to programmatic activities.
3. Research Activities: May perform subject-oriented literature searches and gather references. May participate in other research efforts including collection, assembly, and the tabulation of qualitative or quantitative data and summarizing literature. May assist in analyzing basic research results.
4. Academic/Career Development: Will undertake one or more short-term projects designed to assist with enhancing ongoing programmatic activities of the action collaborative.
NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
- Related duties and special projects as assigned.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to solve problems with supervisory consultation or by following procedures. Ability to prioritize work and the flexibility to change directions as the job dictates. Ability to work successfully in a team environment. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication. Good written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with an ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.
Minimum Education/Training Requirements: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent knowledge. Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate college or university program.
Minimum Experience: None.
Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Required Licenses, Certification, or Registration: None.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to the Director of Special Initiatives, Special Assistant to the President. Supervisor is available to organize work, set objectives, and assist in problem resolution.
Compensation: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity for all, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. The compensation for this position is $18.50 per hour, plus potential overtime.
Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.
Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.
Job Family:
PROGEmployee Type:
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
37.5
City/State:
Washington, District of ColumbiaSalary : $19
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