ASPIRE Internship: AIMBE Science Diplomacy and Public Engagement Intern (Remote)
ASPIRE Internship Opportunity:
AIMBE Science Diplomacy and Public Engagement Intern (Remote)
February 2026-May 2026
1400 I St NW, Ste #235
Washington, DC 20005
About The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE):
AIMBE is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., representing the most accomplished individuals in the fields of medical and biological engineering. No other organization brings together academia, industry, government, and scientific societies to form a highly influential community advancing medical and biological engineering. AIMBE’s mission is to provide leadership and advocacy in medical and biological engineering for the benefit of society.
Internship Overview:
AIMBE is seeking a remote intern to support AIMBE’s mission of advancing connections within the medical and biological engineering community on a global scale. The intern will gain valuable experience examining how scientists in different countries engage with policymakers along with project management and opportunities to support AIMBE’s International Fellows who represent leading biomedical researchers from across the world.
The intern will work closely with the AIMBE senior staff, including the Executive Director, Assistant Director, and Director of Outreach and Engagement. As part of a small nonprofit team, the intern will be involved in activities spanning initial planning and strategic decision-making through communication and stakeholder engagement, offering a comprehensive view of how their work impacts the science policy landscape. While the intern will receive regular guidance and mentorship, they are expected to manage assigned projects independently and take ownership of deliverables.
The primary project of this internship focuses on surveying science policy landscapes across key geographic regions where AIMBE has substantial membership. The intern will help identify relevant governmental and advisory bodies along with how scientists in different countries are able to engage with their governmental officials. These findings will inform AIMBE’s strategy for international engagement.
Responsibilities May Include:
- Documenting science policy landscapes across key geographic regions where AIMBE has substantial international membership
- Identifying governmental, advisory, and professional bodies involved in science policy and biomedical research funding in non-U.S. countries of interest
- Determining how scientists in different countries engage with policymakers; potentially conducting informational interviews with AIMBE’s International Fellows via Zoom to gather firsthand perspectives
- Supporting the planning and execution of international AIMBE webinars focused on global perspectives to different scientific topics in collaboration with AIMBE’s International Committee
- Preparing short written reports and presentations on synthesized findings to AIMBE staff and leadership
- Attending required weekly check-in meetings with an AIMBE internship supervisor; participating in AIMBE staff meetings as availability permits
- Additional tasks and projects may be provided based on mutual needs and interest
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Must be a current Vanderbilt University graduate student or postdoctoral fellow in the biomedical sciences or a related field (biomedical engineering background not required)
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage time and tasks in a remote work environment; an ideal candidate is highly independent and a motivated self-starter
- Experience or a strong interest in science policy, particularly in understanding how scientists engage with policymakers in international contexts
- Strong written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to summarize information from multiple sources in a structured, concise manner
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) and remote collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom) is required
Internship Details:
- Start date is flexible with an anticipated duration of February 2026 through May 2026 (approximately 12 weeks), with the possibility of extension upon review and needs of the organization
- Internship is remote, unpaid, and part-time (8-10 hours per week)
- Negotiable stipend may be available based on the intern’s qualifications and experience
- As part of the internship, the intern is required to attend the in-person 2026 AIMBE Annual Event (April 10-13, 2026; Washingon, D.C.). The intern is strongly encouraged to apply for support through the ASPIRE Travel Scholarship Program; however, all travel, lodging, and meal costs to attend the meeting will be covered by AIMBE if necessary
- The intern will communicate with AIMBE primarily through Zoom meetings and email
Accepting applications until February 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM Central Time
- Fill out the ASPIRE Internship Application found here: https://redcap.link/ASPIREInternship_Application
- Submit a resume and cover letter at the RedCap link above. Please submit documents as PDFs with your Last Name_AIMBE International_Sp2026_CL (or Resume) in the file name
- Set up a meeting with Angela Zito at (angela.zito@vanderbilt.edu) or Ashley Brady (ashley.brady@vanderbilt.edu) prior to the application deadline.
Your information will then be passed along to the organization who will contact you directly to schedule an interview.
For further questions, please contact Angela Zito (angela.zito@vanderbilt.edu) or Ashley Brady (ashley.brady@vanderbilt.edu).
Please review ASPIRE Internship FAQs: Found here
For further questions, please contact Ashley Brady (ashley.brady@vanderbilt.edu).
Eligibility requirements
- Applicants must be a current Vanderbilt University PhD student or a current postdoctoral fellow.
- All PhD students must have completed all coursework for their degree prior to the start of the internship.
- Biomedical PhD students must also have passed their qualifying exams before the application deadline.
- Students and postdocs may not participate in more than one internship at a time. More than one application may be submitted at a single time, but only one position can be accepted.
- If you are not in a department supported by the BRET office, we will also require that you complete a form guaranteeing PI approval to participate in this program. Please contact Ashley Brady at ashley.brady@vanderbilt.edu for more information.
- If you are an international student or postdoctoral fellow, your visa status may affect your work eligibility. Please contact Ashley Brady (ashley.brady@vanderbilt.edu) to discuss this further.
- Must be authorized to work in the US