Where to Find Science Communication Internships
Your guide to finding top internships in science communication
I am currently working for The Economist as their Richard Casement intern for the summer, writing for the science and technology section. Science communication (scicomm) internships are unique opportunities to test out the field and explore a passion for spreading scientific knowledge to different audiences. However, this past year when looking for a scicomm internship, I struggled to find easy resources to help me find science writing internships to apply for. As a result, I decided to compile this list to help out future science communication applicants. The list includes scicomm internships in science journalism, research organizations, multimedia and more. They are organized alphabetically by category.
In addition to the list below, I recommend following #scicommjob and #scicommjobs on Twitter to keep your eye out for internships. They are extremely useful for finding new internship and full time opportunities.
Have an internship you think you should be included? Comment below!
- *Note, some of the links may be to the past year’s position if the new one is not yet listed. Check the websites for the most up to date listing in the new year.**
UPDATES:
- A June 2021 update Twitter thread can be found here
- A December 2020 update Twitter thread can be found here
- A July 2020 update Twitter thread can be found here
- A November 2019 update Twitter thread can be found here.
- A February 2019 update Twitter thread can be found here.
Science journalism internships
AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Program
United States — Weekly stipend of $500 as well as travel expenses to and from AAAS and their sites
This 10-week summer program places science, engineering, and mathematics students at media organizations nationwide. Applicants must be enrolled as students (upper level undergraduate or graduate) or postdoctoral trainees at a university — or within one year of a completed degree — in the life, physical, health, engineering, computer, or social sciences or mathematics and related fields.
AAAS Minority Science Writers Internship
Washington DC 10-week paid internship from June to mid-August
Internship program for minority students interested in journalism as a career and who want to learn about science writing.
British Science Association Media Fellows
United Kingdom- 2–6 weeks
The British Science Association Media Fellowships provide a unique opportunity for practicing scientists, clinicians and engineers to spend two to six weeks working at the heart of a media outlet such as the Guardian, BBC Breakfast or the Londonist.
Chemical and Engineering News Internship
Washington DC (possibility of remote)-6 month paid
The intern will work right alongside seasoned reporters, developing bylined news and feature stories for C&EN’s online site and weekly print magazine.
The Economist Richard Casement Internship
London, England — Paid: 2,000 GBP per month
Write full time for the science and technology section of The Economist for 3 months out of the London office. This was the scicomm internship I had. Find out more about my experience on my blog I wrote for The Economist.
Science News Writing Internship
Washington DC-Paid Internship
Science accepts applications for four 6-month periods: January through June, April through September, July through December, and October through March.
Science News Internship
Washington DC- $600/week-3 month internship
Science News, the award-winning magazine covering all fields of science for a general readership, is now accepting applications for its science writing internships. Interns work as full-time science writers under the guidance of Science News editors and writers. Internships are offered in fall, spring and summer each year.
The Scientist Internship
Paid-Remote 4 month internship
Successful applicants start writing immediately, quickly becoming integral members of The Scientist staff. Interns work from home on their own computers and must keep US East Coast business hours.
Sky and Telescope Summer Internship
Cambridge, Massachusetts-10 week paid internship
Interns will help produce content for both the magazine and S&T’s website. Work may include writing and editing news or stargazing stories, producing multimedia content, or pursuing other independent projects, according to interns’ skills and interests.
Slate Science Intern
Brooklyn-$12/hour 3 days a week
The intern will assist Slate with reprints and light research, but the bulk of the time will be devoted to pitching, reporting, and writing. A background in science is a plus. The fall internship will run roughly from September to December and will accept applications through June 20. The spring internship will run from January to May and will accept applications through Oct. 20.
Science communication for research and non profit organizations
American Geophysical Union Public Affairs Intern
Washington DC-Paid Full-time Internship (3 months assignment)
As the Public Affairs Intern, you will be part of a dynamic association for Earth and space scientists who advance research, collaborate across disciplines, and communicate the importance and impact of science to society.
British Ecological Society Policy Intern
United Kingdom
Work to help communicate the work of BES to policy makers and society. Deadline for applications is 5pm 29 August. Interviews will be held in Charles Darwin House, WC1N 2JU.
Ecological Continuity Trust Intern
London-Paid Internship
Home working arrangements will be considered.
The successful candidate will be educated to degree level or equivalent in ecology, environmental science or a related subject.
ESO Internship-Science Journalism
Garching, Germany 3–6 months. Offers a monthly allowance to cover living expenses and provide accommodation. They also cover the cost of a return trip from/to your home.
Internship opportunities offered throughout the year. In ESO ePOD you work with the preparation of ESO and ESA/Hubble news and photo releases, publications, web pages, video scripts, exhibition panels and other products. You will also be able to learn how to present planetarium shows yourself in the dome.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Internship in Science Writing
Batavia, Illinois-Paid Internship of ~$660/week
The nation’s premier particle physics research laboratory, offers internships in the Office of Communication for students, writers and other candidates who love science, good writing and working in an environment where no moment is ever dull. Interns may also write for other laboratory publications and Fermilab’s websites. They also give interns the opportunity to assist with media events, social media and general public relations activities. Fermilab is located about 35 miles (an hour’s drive) west of Chicago.
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis Science Communication Fellowship
Vienna, Austria-June to August. Provides a stipend as well as travel costs
Working as part of the IIASA Communications Department, the fellows gain experience in communicating complex systems science for a general audience through a variety of platforms including blogs, the website, and the IIASA magazine, Options.
Santa Cruz River Education Intern
Tumacacori, Arizona- $5,760, all travel and housing costs will be covered
Create a multi-disciplinary curriculum about the Upper Santa Cruz River using real data sets, field experiences, and input from resource managers.
Science Media Center
London, England-4 week paid internship
The program gives a flavor of working on the front line between science and the news media.
Smithsonian Bicoastal Science Communications Internship
$500/week and travel included-18 weeks
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center is seeking an intern to work for 18 weeks, from April through August, covering the work of SERC researchers in Maryland and California.
Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) Science Communication Internship
All reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses will be paid.
Internship for a postgraduate student/early career scientist to gain a month’s training in press and publicity.
Robohub Science Communication Internship
Assist the editorial team at Robohub.org with day-to-day operations. As part of our team, you’ll learn about the latest happenings in robotics, directly from those driving the technology forward. 10–20 hours a week.
Multimedia scicomm internships
Science Friday Radio Production Intern
Midtown Manhattan-12 week internship at $11/hour
The ideal candidate will have some journalism experience, preferably in a radio or podcast setting, and an unquenchable curiosity about science and the way things work.
Scientific American Multimedia Intern
As the Scientific American Multimedia Intern, you will work with editors throughout ScientificAmerican.com, NR marketing and education. If you are interested in video story-telling and are detail-oriented, this is a great time to be part of the team. You will assist them in building a digital asset management system and creating the workflow for an expanding video operation.
I hope this helps you in your scicomm internship search! You can follow me on Twitter as well where I will share science internship opportunities as they come to me.
Have any questions or have a science internship you think you should be included? Comment below!
