Paid Internships
Interested in working at the Science Communications Lab? We’re always taking applications on a rolling basis. Read more about each position below. Questions? Contact us here.
Internship for Illustrators, Designers, and Animators
The The Science Communication Lab offers a limited number of internships for designers, illustrators, and animators for its interdisciplinary science communication program. Our design internship is a paid, part-time position eligible for internship credit through the School of Design (8-10 hours per week). The person in this role will work with writing interns under the supervision of professional communicators and designers to create explanatory graphics, posters, educational materials, and animated videos.
Design interns are expected to both contribute to new design concepts and create original content within existing design parameters. Design interns will support a highly collaborative team and will be expected to work well in a fast-paced environment. Additional tasks include creating and managing designs for both print and digital media, such as program webpages, social media, promotional posters, postcards, online images, and videos.
Internship for Writers
The Science Communication Lab offers a limited number of writing internships. The internship is a paid, part-time position (5-10 hours per week). Interns will develop stories highlighting University research across various scientific disciplines. Advanced interns will also work with the Lab’s design team to create infographics, educational materials, and other engagement materials.
Writing interns will support a highly collaborative team and will be expected to work well in a fast-paced environment. In addition, the program provides experience in the communications field and the opportunity to develop a portfolio of science-related articles. Additional tasks include organizing public engagement programs and coaching UMN students in science communication skills.
Responsibilities:
General support for the Science Communication Lab and associated programs
- Provide original design concepts, illustrations, and production support for explanatory graphics, animated videos, and related projects
- Update webpages with appropriate news and events including collaborating with program staff to create digital educational materials
- Inform the design of educational materials including lesson plans, activities sheets, and instructional materials
- Create posters, flyers, and videos that support the dissemination of activities as well as recruitment for program participants
- Participate in semiweekly team meetings to contribute to the overall functioning of the Science Communication Lab
Required qualifications
- Consistently able to work 5-10 hours a week
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite graphic design programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, and Premier
- Experience with web design, preferably with WordPress
- Self-motivated with an ability to work in a highly collaborative work environment but with a substantial degree of autonomy on individual projects
Preferred qualifications
- Demonstrated commitment to public engagement, equity, and diversity
- Experience with video production or video editing
- Ability to participate in the internship program for 1-2 years
- Knowledge or interest in photography and photo editing techniques
- Knowledge and experience with content creation and distribution across social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
Compensation
The starting rate for writing interns is $15/hour.
To apply, please submit a resume, letter of interest, and portfolio of previous work to the Science Communication Lab director, Michael Winikoff (michaelw@umn.edu).
Responsibilities
General support for the Science Communication Lab and associated programs
- Write stories for the general public based on interviews conducted with University researchers
- Inform the content of educational materials including lesson plans, activities sheets, and instructional materials
- Mentor University students in science communication through individual coaching sessions
- Develop and organize public engagement programs, such lecture series, interactive exhibits, etc.
- Participate in semiweekly team meetings to contribute to the overall functioning of the Science Communication Lab
Required qualifications
- Consistently able to work 8-10 hours a week
- Interest in Science Communication
- Strong writing skills including spelling, punctuation, and grammar
- Comfortable interviewing faculty members and mentoring students
- Self-motivated with an ability to work in a highly collaborative work environment but with a substantial degree of autonomy on individual projects
Preferred qualifications
- Demonstrated commitment to public engagement, equity, and diversity
- Background in the sciences, journalism, or strategic communication
- Ability to participate in the internship program for 1-2 years
- Familiarity with social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
Compensation
The starting rate for writing interns is $15/hour.
To apply, please submit a resume, letter of interest, and previous writing samples to the Science Communication Lab Director, Michael Winikoff (michaelw@umn.edu).