Research Intern

This is a part-time internship (approximately 20 hours per week) with the opportunity to work from anywhere in the USA. The hours can be flexible to accommodate school schedules and other commitments. Candidates should be able to begin in February/March 2025 (flexible start date) and commit to 5 months

Do your best work here.

Hopelab envisions a future where young people have equitable opportunities to live joyful and purposeful lives. As a researcher, convener, and science translator, Hopelab is dedicated to fostering greater mental health and well-being outcomes for young people.

The Position: Research Intern

The intern will support Hopelab in research efforts focused on youth mental health and technology. Hopelab has acquired data on youth mental health and technology with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth. The research intern will work with the Hopelab Research team to translate these data into publications, reports, infographics, and other assets.

• Conduct and draft literature reviews to gather and synthesize information pertaining to youth mental health and technology.
• Conduct quantitative analysis of Hopelab data on youth mental health and well-being.
• Conduct interviews with young people to share and obtain reactions about key research findings.
• Create graphs and tables to display and present data findings
• Collaborate in planning and implementing the development of products such as reports and publications arising from Hopelab data.
• Support the Hopelab team with additional research tasks, as assigned.

• Experience in leading the development of academic publications, evaluation reports, public-facing research summaries, or similar assets.
• Experience as a research assistant in a social science discipline (or related field).
• Experience reviewing literature and constructing written literature reviews.
• Knowledge and expertise relating to youth development, mental health, and/or media and technology.
• Strong interests in health equity among young people, particularly related to LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC teen/young adult mental health.
• Experience in quantitative data analysis, such as group difference testing, regression, and related methods.
• Ability to work across stakeholders to incorporate feedback and requested revisions into report drafts.
• Experience in leading structured qualitative interviews.

• Research focused on rural populations, especially rural youth, rural LGBTQ+, and/or rural BIPOC populations. 
• Qualitative engagement with research participants to co-distill research findings. 

• Currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in the social sciences.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting quantitative analysis, such as group difference testing, regression, and related methods.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative data collection, such as leading individual interviews or focus groups, and qualitative data processing and synthesis.
• Prior experience working in an active research lab in the social sciences or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in youth mental health and well-being, technology, and LGBTQ+/BIPOC youth health.
• Strong writing skills, which may include the development of academic publications, public-facing research summaries, evaluation reports, or similar assets.
• Problem-solver with a strong ability to work independently.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Works well under deadlines.

If you have a passion for youth mental health AND feel you have most of the experiences listed above, we encourage you to apply!

Please include (1) your resume/CV (2) a brief cover letter that outlines your education, experiences, and skills relevant to the job tasks listed above, and (3) a writing sample (a research-oriented paper where you were the sole or lead author - can be a class assignment or publication). Applications are due by EOD January 5, 2025. All applicants will receive a reply to their applications by January 24, 2025. We kindly request that you do not email to check on the status of your application.

Individuals selected to proceed to the interview stage will be asked to complete an assignment focused on the interpretation of group difference testing results. The assignment should take 2 hours or less to complete.

Compensation: $33.00/hr

Mentorship and Learning: Guidance and mentorship will be provided by the Hopelab Research team. The Research Intern will be integrated into Hopelab Research team project management, including regular meetings. Direct mentorship will be provided to facilitate the translation of available data into outputs such as reports, presentations, and manuscripts.

By the end of their term, the intern will have increased their knowledge and skills in research on LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth mental health and technology, gained experience in working on cross-functional teams, developed products resulting from our data including publications, and gained knowledge of the landscape of youth mental health work. The intern will be directly supervised by Dr. Mike Parent, Hopelab’s Principal Researcher; will collaborate with the Hopelab Head of Research; and will integrate worksteams with other areas of Hopelab.

Term: This is a 15-20hr/week internship, beginning in February/March and ending after 5 months, with some flexibility around start and end dates. Applicants must reside within and be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Note: To maintain an equitable hiring process, we do not offer informational conversations outside of the interview process. Please refrain from contacting Hopelab staff about this opportunity.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Hopelab is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and encourages people from underrepresented groups to apply. Hopelab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, ancestry, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Employment offers will be contingent on a background check that is limited in scope and compliant with best practices for Fair Chance Hiring. All inquiries are held in strict confidence.