Public Affairs Intern

Public Affairs Intern - Communicating Scientific Impacts

Who we are:

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

Position Summary:

The part-time, temporary public affairs intern supports the American Physical Society (APS) by researching and developing public-facing materials that show how fundamental scientific discoveries lead to modern technological advancements. The intern contributes to a new effort to build at least 10 "tech trees" visual tools that map connections between foundational scientific research and today's technologies, with emphasis on research supported by U.S. federal science agencies.

The role requires careful literature review, analytical thinking, and collaboration with APS staff to design clear, accurate visualizations for broad audiences.

This position is ideal for science students or early-career professionals interested in communicating the importance of publicly funded science.

This is a temporary, part-time position with an expected duration of no more than four months.

Responsibilities:

Research and content development

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Conduct research using scientific literature, federal grant databases, patents, and other sources to identify links between fundamental research and technological applications.

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Document findings clearly, ensuring accuracy and integrity of sources.

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Draft concise summaries of scientific concepts and research impacts for non-specialist audiences.

Visualization and design support

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Collaborate with APS staff to organize research into structured, logical pathways for at least 10 "tech tree" visualizations.

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Support iterative review cycles, incorporating feedback from the science policy manager and the head of public affairs

Project coordination

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Report and communicate regularly with the science policy manager and the head of public affairs.

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Track tasks and timelines and meet internal deadlines.

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Participate in discussions of design concepts and project scope with relevant staff.

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Other duties as assigned.

Education:

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High school diploma or equivalent required.

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College, university, or higher education coursework in physics, another physical science, engineering, science communication, or a related field preferred.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Minimum of one year relevant work experience and/or two years of college, university, and/or higher education coursework is required.

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College, university, and/or higher education coursework completion in physical science and/or related/relevant fields is preferred.

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Proficient in using data visualization tools and techniques, web-based tools preferred.

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Proficient data analysis and visualization skills.

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Ability to structure information clearly for visual presentation.

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Proficient in Google Suite.

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Proficient in analyzing data, using MS excel or other tools

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Strong organization, documentation, and prioritization skills.

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Strong written and verbal communication skills.

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Excellent attention to detail.

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Ability to adapt to quickly changing schedules.

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Ability to work well with interdepartmental teams as well as independently.

Travel: The position requires up to 5% of travel for in-person meetings with staff as well as additional travel as assigned. This is a temporary, part-time position with an expected duration of no more than four months.

Salary:

The salary range for this position takes into account various factors influencing compensation decisions, such as skill sets, experience, training, and other business and organizational requirements. The salary listed within the specified ranges considers relevant experience. Our compensation philosophy at APS aims to maintain salaries at the midpoint of the market. As a result, we typically hire within the target starting range. Exceptional, rare cases may merit reviews above target starting range for specialized or niche skills aligned with strategic operational goals.

Target salary: $ $20.00/hour (USD)

This is Us:

Help us achieve our mission of advancing and diffusing the knowledge of physics for the benefit of humanity, promote physics, and serve the broader physics community.

At APS, we:

• Provide a welcoming and supportive professional home for an active, engaged, and diverse membership
• Advance scientific discovery and research dissemination
• Advocate for physics and physicists, and amplify the voice for science
• Share the excitement of physics and communicate the essential role physics plays in the modern world
• Promote effective physics education for all

Core Values:

Core values are essential to shaping the culture of an organization. They provide the structure and guidance for how we conduct ourselves in our day-to-day interactions. Every employee has a responsibility for upholding these values. The behaviors and actions associated with demonstrating competency in these Core Values are described in a separate document.

Our Core Values: Our values are our guideposts

• Scientific Method
• Trust, Integrity, and Ethical Conduct
• Equity, Diversity, and Respect
• Collaboration
• Education and Learning
• Speaking Out

Amazing 2026 Benefit Offerings:

• Remote First: The majority of staff work primarily from remote locations. APS promotes equal treatment and access for staff in the United States, regardless of physical work location.
• Locations: APS is operational in most but not all 50 states. Our headquarter office is in College Park, Maryland, with physical offices also located in Washington, DC, and Hauppauge, New York.
• APS does not offer relocation assistance/costs.
• APS allows flexible work hours. Responsiveness is required during workday core hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
• This role is not benefits eligible.

The American Physical Society is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of American Physical Society not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of race, religious creed, immigration status, alienage or citizenship, religion, color, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, protected veteran status, protected military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, ancestry, domestic violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices, including recruitment, advertising, job application procedures, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, job assignments, benefits and/or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job. This policy applies to all jobs at APS. The American Physical Society is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact APS Human Resources at The "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal'' poster, prepared by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), provides an overview of several laws that protect you from discrimination on the job, and several rights are afforded to you by these laws. The "Pay Transparency Non Discrimination Provision," prepared by the U.S. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), provides an overview of several protections implemented to protect individuals working under federal contracts from discrimination when inquiring about or discussing compensation; these protections apply to all employees and applicants. The APS has a "remote first" concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. #LI-

This temporary, part-time position is expected to last no more than four months.

This internship does not provide visa sponsorship.