Research Alliances Intern
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's ResearchJob Title: Research Alliances Intern, External Research Engagement (Summer 2026 Internship)
Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“MJFF”) is seeking top talent for an intern to support external research engagement efforts within the Research Alliances Department. The Research Alliances team builds and manages strategic partnerships with industry, nonprofit institutions, and other research stakeholders to advance MJFF’s scientific priorities and accelerate therapeutic development for Parkinson’s disease (PD).
This internship will focus on strengthening MJFF’s external positioning within the global research community. The intern will work closely with Research Alliances and Research Marketing to assess how MJFF engages researcher and clinician audiences across scientific conferences, industry forums, and other external channels, and to identify high-impact opportunities to expand and refine that engagement.
Over the course of the internship, the intern will conduct a comprehensive assessment of MJFF’s external engagement across scientific conferences and industry forums. This includes analyzing historical participation and return on engagement, evaluating audience reach and visibility strategies, and identifying gaps and opportunities to strengthen engagement. Historical tracking will draw from internal MJFF sources, including the Research External Meetings Tracker, which the intern will use to analyze trends and benchmark engagement efforts.
In parallel, the intern will develop a working understanding of MJFF’s research priorities to ensure analyses and recommendations are aligned with the Foundation’s broader scientific strategy. The intern will synthesize insights into clear, actionable recommendations and contribute to the development of a structured external engagement roadmap to enhance MJFF’s positioning as a leading global research funder and strategic partner.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct research and competitive analysis on scientific conferences, industry meetings, and other external engagement platforms relevant to MJFF’s research priorities, including assessment of historical participation and return on engagement
- Analyze internal tracking data (e.g., Research External Meetings Tracker) to evaluate trends in MJFF’s external engagement and inform strategic recommendations
- Evaluate conference audiences, sponsorship opportunities, and visibility tactics to identify high-impact engagement opportunities and audience gaps
- Develop a foundational understanding of MJFF’s research priorities and strategic initiatives to ensure alignment of analyses and recommendations
- Support development of internal strategy documents and recommendations for external engagement activities
- Contribute to the development of a structured external engagement roadmap aligned with MJFF’s strategic initiatives
- Present final findings and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders at the conclusion of the internship
Qualifications and Skills:
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Public Health, Life Sciences or a related field (or equivalent relevant experience); graduate students encouraged to apply
- Demonstrated interest in healthcare, life sciences, nonprofit organizations or mission-driven work
- Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate information and identify key insights
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
- Ability to translate complex scientific or organizational information into clear, audience-appropriate messaging
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail
- Comfortable working independently while collaborating across cross-functional teams
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel
Compensation & Benefits
Individual compensation for this role is dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, skillsets, and applicable laws. In addition to salary, the Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
- Competitive dental and vision plans
- 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employer paid life and disability insurance
- 18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4
- Flexible work environment. We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done.
Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.
About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.
Visit www.michaeljfox.org for more information.
Research has shown that people from marginalized communities apply to roles only when they meet 100% of the job requirements. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, and you are someone who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, we strongly encourage you to apply.