Research Intern
Company Description
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES UK
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provides life-saving emergency relief and longer-term medical care to some of the most vulnerable and excluded communities around the world. As an independent medical humanitarian organisation, we deliver care based only on need, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or political affiliation.
MSF relies on donations from private individuals and organisations for the majority of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond where needs are greatest and to speak out publicly, free from any political interference.
MSF has around 63,000 local and international staff working in over 70 countries, in some of the most challenging places in the world. Our medical humanitarian projects are supported by offices in 44 countries, including the UK and Ireland. These teams recruit staff, organise fundraising, and raise awareness on the humanitarian crises our colleagues are witnessing, as well as running different and diverse support activities. MSF offices are spread across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia.
At MSF UK/IE, we support MSF's operations by building relationships with our supporters, increasing awareness of our work, raising funds, providing specialist medical expertise, ensuring MSF staff have access to relevant higher education programmes, catalysing change on medical humanitarian issues, and recruiting field staff. MSF UK/IE personnel are dynamic, hard-working, enthusiastic and committed to MSF's values and aims. In addition MSF continues to build upon its presence in Ireland to become a widely recognised, accepted and respected humanitarian organisation among Irish audiences, and within the Irish humanitarian and political sector.
Position
Do you have an interest in research? This internship offers the opportunity to learn about MSF's operational research and work with the team to improve research process and management.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri
Duration: 12 months FTC
Location: London - hybrid (80% attendance in office mandatory
Salary: £27,007.50 per annum (London Living Wage)
Job Purpose:
The Research Intern, as part of the Research and Innovation team, will support MSF research processes including the family of MSF Scientific Days and the work of the Manson Unit.
The postholder will further develop their medical and research understanding while honing their research process skills and designing research for impact and uptake. This position requires a motivated, creative individual who will be invited to bring ideas and recommendations to improve research and innovation practices, including improving research quality and effectiveness.
Please download the full job and person specification below for further details.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
- Scientific degree and/or relevant experience.
- Experience or demonstrable understanding of scientific research and related processes.
- A genuine interest and good understanding of global health.
- Commitment to the values of MSF.
- Superb demonstrable communication skills including strong writing ability.
- Strong planning and organisational skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and proactively.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment, proficient in interacting with other departments and senior management.
- Fluency in written and spoken English (other languages are an advantage).
- Experience of database management.
- Ability to interpret briefs and instructions.
- Knowledge of the research study lifecycle and ethical requirements (desirable).
- Some experience of supporting events (desirable).
- Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer.
Other information
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply on our website by submitting a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation (please upload as one document) by the closing date.
Strong writing skills are central to this position. To ensure fairness in assessment, applications should reflect your own writing. Those that appear to have been produced using AI assistance may not be shortlisted.
Strong writing skills are central to this position. To ensure fairness in assessment, applications should reflect your own writing. Those that appear to have been produced using AI assistance may not be shortlisted.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Recruitment timetable:
- Closing date for applications: 30 November 2025, 11.59pm (GMT)
- First round interviews: w/c 8 December 2025
- Projected Start Date: ASAP to allow for handover
Accessibility
We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know by contacting recruitment.UK@london.msf.org
Examples of adjustments we can make:
- offering you an alternative if you are unable to use our online application system
- providing necessary information, such as the job description or assessment materials, in an alternate format
- allowing you to have someone with you during an interview for example, a Sign Language interpreter.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive organisation. MSF UK thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Please read our Equality & Diversity policy for more information.
MSF UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community.
Safeguarding
MSF UK/IE is dedicated to safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with the organisation, for whatever reason and however brief. All posts are subject to safer recruitment process which include robust reference requests, scrutiny of employment history and where applicable criminal record and barring checks.
Our safeguarding commitment is underpinned by policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the organisation. On joining MSF UK/IE you will be required to attend safeguarding training to ensure responsibility for and maintaining safe working practice and to safeguard our teams, beneficiaries, and communities.
Right to work in the UK
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Please click here to check whether you have the right to work in the UK.If you would like to discuss your right to work status further, please contact recruitment.UK@london.msf.org.
We look forward to receiving your application!