Strategic Planning Internship

The Strategic Planning Group Intern will serve a 1-year term. Candidates are graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. They are responsible for assisting the Strategic Planning Group in creating and achieving strategic goals for the Society’s success.

Overview

The Strategic Planning Internship aims to provide our SDB trainees with professional hands-on experience in nonprofit strategic planning. Duties include overseeing the Strategic Planning Group (SPG) meetings, researching information, gathering data, and presenting updates to the SDB board of directors (BOD). Our interns have the unique opportunity to help shape the Society’s future, broaden their network with members in SDB, and collaborate closely with SDB staff.

Term

This is a remote position with a 1-year term. An option to renew for an additional year may be available. Quarterly check-ins with the SPG team are recommended to ensure progress and goals are met for both the SPG team and intern personally.

Duties

The SPG Intern is responsible for managing the SPG agenda by collecting and disseminating information related to project process, providing direction and ongoing feedback, and helping to perform strategic analyses. Interns will work with the SPG team to identify strategic business needs, challenges, and opportunities.  The intern is expected to spend 2-5 hours each week on SPG tasks and projects, which includes attendance in the weekly SPG meeting (1 hour) to discuss progress with the team. The intern may be asked to present SPG updates in the quarterly SDB board of directors (BOD) meetings.

Qualifications

The ideal applicant has a developmental biology background and an interest in scientific business planning. Applicants must be current trainee members of SDB (graduate students who have joined a lab for their dissertation research or postdoctoral fellows). Attention to detail, ability to take clear and detailed notes, and strong communication skills are preferred. Interns need to understand basic computer and technical skills. Initiative and time management is needed for this role. Interns must have approval from their mentor/PI.

Application Process

The application opens in the summer of each year. Candidates will be asked to submit a completed internship application form, cover letter (up to 500 words), C.V. (up to 3 pages), and a letter of recommendation from the advisor (PI). The cover letter should explain why the candidate is interested in the internship and how it will support their future career plans. Advisor recommendation letter writers should send their letters to [email protected]. The deadline for all application materials, including letters of recommendation is July 2.

Applications are reviewed by a selection panel that includes, but is not limited to, SPG members, the Executive Director (Ida Chow), and staff. Following the application deadline, SDB staff will verify the eligibility of applicants based on the requirements stated above. Eligible applications will then be forwarded to the SDB SPG members, who may request additional information. SPG Interns must officially accept the role and obtain written approval from their primary mentor/PI. SDB staff will communicate outcomes to all applicants. However, feedback will not be provided on decisions made by the selection panel.

Contact [email protected] with any questions about the application process.