The Research Alliances Intern will focus on analyzing the current brain health landscape and exploring opportunities for increased visibility for both MJFF and Parkinson’s disease with stakeholders at key forums.
About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) 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.
Core to our philosophy is how we think of our capital and its risk profile relative to other stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. We work aggressively to de-risk various therapeutic strategies and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. In order to achieve our mission of finding a cure for PD it is critical that we engage with, and bring together, members of the PD community including researchers, physicians, health professionals and most important, people with Parkinson's and their families.
We believe that to find a cure for PD as quickly as possible, our capital needs to push research forward today—we therefore deliberately hold no endowment or excessive reserves. We instead seek to deploy funds raised as quickly and wisely as possible. MJFF raises over $100 million annually. Today, the Foundation has approximately 250 full-time employees. We offer a collegial and collaborative environment where optimistic problem-solvers and entrepreneurial, resourceful individuals can thrive and make a tangible difference for millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (“MJFF”) is seeking top talent for an Intern position within MJFF’s Research Alliances Department. This internship will be focused on analyzing the current brain health landscape and exploring opportunities for increased visibility for both MJFF and Parkinson’s disease with stakeholders at key forums. Through research, the MJFF intern will map the brain health ecosystem, uncover and analyze groups’ funding sources and investments, identify key convening events in 2025, and craft a brain health stakeholder engagement strategy.
The MJFF intern will work closely at all stages of the project with staff from MJFF’s Research Alliances department. Research Alliances exists to speed cures by connecting community and is dedicated to stewarding relationships with some of our most important industry, investment and nonprofit partners. Over the course of this project, the MJFF intern will have accessibility to a broad group of business leaders through our vast network of partners and collaborators. A better understanding of the varied players in brain health supports MJFF’s strategic objectives to build partnerships with entities that increase financial and in-kind contributions to crucial MJFF programs. By leveraging resources, networks, and expertise from likeminded organizations, we can drive research across neurodegenerative diseases and support improved therapeutics and clinical trials in an unprecedented way.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
- Create a cohesive presentation mapping the brain health ecosystem and identify the key events MJFF could leverage by synthesizing data from relevant news reports, desk research, and notes from MJFF external meetings and calls
- Present aggregated insight from brain health ecosystem mapping and research on funding streams to MJFF Research leadership
- Propose engagement strategies to boost MJFF and Parkinson’s disease visibility in global conversations around brain health, aging, and neurodegeneration
Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience in one or more of the following:
- Working in a relevant discipline within business or healthcare (life sciences, biotech, pharma) space
- A bachelor’s degree
- MBA candidates
- Strong problem solving, analytical, written and verbal communication skills
- Conscientious working style with great attention to detail
- Ability to synthesize information into cohesive and actionable insights
- Proven ability to be resourceful and work independently
- Comfortable using Microsoft Office, specifically PowerPoint and Excel
Salary:
The hourly range for this position is:
- Undergraduate Students: $16-$18/hour
- Graduate Students: $18-$20/hour
Vaccine Statement:
At The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), the health and safety of our team and our community is a priority. MJFF has made the decision to require all staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. Successful applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated by date of hire and proof of vaccine is required. Full vaccination is defined as two weeks after both doses of two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine has been administered. Anyone unable to be vaccinated, because of medical or religious reasons, can request a reasonable accommodation for consideration.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing their specific qualifications and interest in the position.
MJFF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Diversity may refer to characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, geographic background, ability and disability, political ideology and age.