Acumen, LLC / The SPHERE Institute provide government agencies with high-quality, impartial research to inform decision-making related to health care policy. We help make sure policymakers, health care providers, and the public have the best available evidence upon which to base their choices.We leverage our unparalleled data access to generate analyses for a wide range of partners involved in the health care system. We work closely with our clients to understand their objectives and figure out how to turn data into actionable information for them. For example, our results are used by:the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue investigations of fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare systemthe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to monitor and assess the safety of drugs after they have been released onto the marketthe Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to help local public health authorities prepare for and respond to emergency situations like hurricanes and floodsthe Center for Medicare (CM) to predict and quantify the effects of payment policy changes for health care servicesAt its core, our research offers an opportunity to use data to solve problems that matter. Position SummaryAs a Writer/Coordinator intern, you serve as a bridge between the data and the broader policy environment. Interns in this role bring in knowledge to guide the analysis (e.g., through a review of the policy literature) and help translate the results into a form that can be used by policymakers (e.g., through a report or presentation). This internship is a great opportunity for students interested in supporting fact-based decision-making in the national policy arena. Researching and writing will be major components of your day-to-day responsibilities, but they are only part of a broader set of skills you will learn and employ at Acumen, LLC / The SPHERE Institute. Writer/Coordinator interns are integrated into a project team and learn about all facets of the research process:Data management techniques for working with large amounts of dataData analysis workflow in a professional settingMethods for researching policy contextApplication of research methods to answer specific policy questionsVerification and validation of resultsPresentation of methodology and results for non-technical audiencesClient and project management under tight timelinesWe expect the role of the Writer/Coordinator intern to closely mirror that of a full-time analyst, meaning you can expect to gain professional experience performing the following responsibilities:Research and interpret policyPerform literature reviewsSupport data analysis and design of study specificationsPrepare reports, memos, and presentations to summarize resultsCommunicate research findings to a wide range of audiencesCoordinate project activities and communicationsThis position is for a paid summer internship. In addition to developing skills for policy analysis and gaining exposure to client projects, you will receive formal training in professional writing and hands-on mentoring from experienced analysts. The internship program also fosters a supportive team environment and hosts events throughout the summer for interns and their team members.QualificationsWe are looking for candidates who best exemplify the following qualifications: Bachelor’s degree (in progress) in a quantitative, public policy, or related field, or equivalent relevant experienceStrong analytical perspective and desire to work with dataExcellent writing and communication skillsGood organizational skills and strong attention to detailFamiliar with one or more of the following technical competencies: policy writing, research methods, or project managementAble to demonstrate initiative, critical thinking, and problem-solvingAble to work in a team-oriented environmentAble to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environmentDemonstrated aptitude and enthusiasm for learningDemonstrated interest in public policy Candidates will be selected based on their qualifications and matched to a specific project based on their skills and interests.Any application without a cover letter will not be considered. Transcripts and writing samples are not required; however, they are highly preferred and may be requested. We are excited to review your application and look forward to seeing how you can contribute to our mission.Please note, we prioritize the health and safety of our employees and interns. While we are optimistic that interns will be able to work in-person at the office for summer 2021, we will continue to evaluate the situation and make a decision closer to the start of the internships to determine whether they will be in-person or remote.