What exactly is the HRB Post-Doctoral Internship Programme?

This programme targets early and mid-career researchers who have graduated or are about to graduate with a PhD or MSc, and provides an opportunity to explore non-academic career pathways and gain experience working in a state agency.

According to Dr Mairéad O Driscoll, Chief Executive of the HRB:

“The HRB is committed to building the capacity of academic researchers and health and social care practitioners not only in health research, but also in research practice and management. This internship is one of the many ways we aim to achieve this.”

What type of work will I be doing?

You will undertake many types of work during this internship. For example:

  • You could be running a funding call where you can expand your knowledge of how this process works, from advertising the call to processing applications, sourcing international experts to review funding applications, and running selection panels
  • You might be part of a team completing an evidence product for the Department of Health (DOH). This would involve helping to define the research question with the policy makers, finding literature to answer the question, doing an analysis of the literature, and presenting the answer to senior policy makers at the DOH
  • You may contribute to the HRB teams that manage the collection and dissemination of key health data in the areas of drugs and alcohol, mental health, and disability
  • You may be involved on a team who support the regulation and ethics review of applications in the context of Health Research Regulations, clinical trials, or Medical or In Vitro Devices Regulations.
How long is the internship, and how is it structured?

Over the course of two years, you will do two rotations in specific areas. You could be

  • involved in one of three teams working on different aspects of research funding,
  • working on one of our national health information systems and be part of our evidence centre or
  • support the regulatory work of the Health Research Consent Declaration Committees or National Research Ethics Committees.

This will help you gain a proper insight and get robust experience working with Ireland’s lead public funding agency supporting innovative health research and delivering data and evidence that improves people’s health and patient care.

You will also spend 20% of your time working with the communications team, where you could be organising events, developing web content, preparing publications for dissemination, or getting experience writing media material.

What skills and experience will I gain?

The diversity that this internship provides will ensure you are involved in projects and assignments, that will enhance your critical thinking, analysis, and decision-making, as well as develop your project management and communication skills. You will appreciate the research landscape in Ireland and learn about best practice. It will provide you with an exceptional foundation, from which you can further advance your career.

Here’s what some of our alumni say about how their experience as a HRB Post Doc Intern built their professional networks, equipped them with new skills and exposed them to the different opportunities a career in research can offer:

Dr Claire Erraught

“I am in the second year of my HRB post-doctoral internship, and my experience has been very positive. I spent a year in the Research Strategy and Funding directorate, which was invaluable experience in research administration and portfolio management. Working in communications has also given me great skills to showcase on my CV. I’m currently working within the National Health Information Systems unit, building on my research skills, such as contributing to a scoping review. I have also had many opportunities to build my professional network, which will be useful for potential roles following the internship.”

Dr Therese Lynn

“The HRB post-doctoral internship gave me valuable, hands-on experience in every aspect of health research funding. I worked with research applicants, liaised with co-funding partners and experts throughout the funding decision process, and managed large-scale strategic investments in clinical research. I also worked on the HRB’s  national databases, where I contributed regularly to an ezine and published an article in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. This internship has been instrumental both personally and professionally, equipping me with skills in communication, organisation, and leadership as I become a medical doctor in the Health Services Executive.”

Dr Emma McGrath

“The HRB internship is truly unique for the breadth of experience it offers. It opened my eyes to the many different angles a career in research can take beyond academia. The direct and transferable skills I gained throughout the programme led me to my current role on the European Universities alliance project- ECIU university, developing an innovative research model to address grand societal challenges.”

Dr Ronan Fahey

“I fondly remember my HRB post-doctoral internship. It taught me how to apply my PhD learnings to real world activities. The culture of growth and learning is fantastic, and the people shared fundamental skills I still use. The experience allowed me to progress very quickly to being a Principal Consultant today, where I work on a wide spectrum of projects in the healthcare, education and research sectors.”

And according to HRB management:

“We are constantly amazed by the calibre of Post Doc Interns we recruit and their contribution to our work has been very valuable. Many progress into permanent HRB positions in our funding teams, information systems, and evidence centre. We always look forward to having an intern on our team.”

How do I apply?

Contact internship@hrb.ie or visit the funding page to find out more and apply. You can also read the guidance notes for the award.