2016 Summer Research Intern

The research and investigations team is seeking a research intern to work on our Syria mapping project. This internship is ideal for an undergraduate who wants to get a feel for open source research methodology related to a topical human rights issue.

PHR is tracking the deliberate targeting of medical workers, as well as systematic attacks against facilities providing treatment to the sick and wounded on an online, interactive map and, to date, has documented the deaths of +705 medical personnel and +346 attacks on hospitals, nearly 90% by Syrian government forces. Through this documentation, PHR seeks to better inform the media, motivate governments and the UN to denounce such violations of international law, and reinforce that attacks on medical workers, hospitals, and health care infrastructure must stop.

The internship will focus on data entry and understanding in the beginning of the internship, and move to stronger analysis focus as the internship progresses. The intern will be mentored by the program associate, research and investigations, and project tasks the intern will work on include:

• Assisting with data entry into PHR’s Palantir data management system
• Collaborating closely with research and investigations staff to prepare for and carry out data analysis

The intern will also have the opportunity to attend regular learning and social events with other interns and staff from PHR to round out the learning experience and complement career mentoring provided by the program associate. PHR operates an in-house training program for staff and interns, which during the spring/summer months of 2016 will cover issues such as research design (including participatory research methodology), interviewing skills, international humanitarian law, advocacy workshop, and public health.

PHR internships are unpaid. Students may be able to arrange academic credit, and should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

Qualifications and Experience

• Current enrollment in an undergraduate degree; program of study specializing in statistics, data management, international development/relations, public policy, law, human rights, or related field
• Experience with database management; familiarity with Palantir preferred, but not required
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to human rights
• Exceptional analytical and verbal skills, with strong preference for those demonstrating strong statistical understanding
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through
• Mature judgment, strong sense of integrity, initiative, and a self-starter
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to human rights
• Ability to read/speak Arabic preferred but not required
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Willingness to work with graphic visual and written content
• Flexibility and willingness to work on a wide variety of projects as needed

Location and Hours

• The research intern will be based in PHR’s New York office in midtown Manhattan
• This unpaid internship may be either full-time or part-time
• The internship will commence late March with ideally a 16-week commitment

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send a cover letter and resume to resumes@phrusa.org. Include “Research Intern Spring/Summer 2016” in the subject line.