We are always seeking applications from exceptional individuals who want to be part of our team.

Positions

Silent Spring Institute is a non-profit research organization dedicated to identifying--and changing--the links between the environment and women's health, especially breast cancer. We are a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in epidemiology, toxicology, chemistry, GIS, community-based research, and communications. Annual budget of approximately $1.8 million supports a staff of 13, working with collaborating investigators at Harvard, Brown, UC Berkeley etc., and activists at Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, Hurricane Voices, Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow and nationally. Research focuses on breast cancer and environmental pollutants, especially endocrine disrupting compounds and animal mammary gland carcinogens, and path-breaking studies of household exposures. This is an opportunity to be part of a nationally recognized, innovative, mission-driven team.

Research Assistant

Silent Spring Institute seeks research assistant with skills and interests in environmental health science.

Responsibilities:

• Provide research support for studies of household contaminants and drinking water pollutants.
• Varied responsibilities include data management, data analysis, literature reviews, coordinating and conducting field sampling, and monitoring environmental policy. Assist with proposals and manuscripts.
• Monitor scientific literature for relevant publications and help manage the Institute’s information center/library.
• Opportunities for applicants familiar with R or GIS. Experience with R or ArcIMS and web-based GIS a plus.
• Occasional evening/weekend responsibilities at public events.

Additional Qualifications: Excellent academic record. Chemistry, biology, statistics, epidemiology coursework an asset. Excellent attention to accuracy, quantitative reasoning, good writing and communications skills, ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary team. Commitment to careful and impartial research in a context of partnership between scientists and the public.

To apply, send cover letter describing your interests and experience, resume, example of your writing, and copy of academic transcript (photocopy is ok) to Anna Claeys, Silent Spring Institute, 29 Crafts Street, Newton, MA 02458 or email to careers@silentspring.org with 'Research Assistant' in the subject line. EO Employer.

Fall 2009 Internships

We seek applicants with skills and interests in environmental health science and policy and non-profit management.

Responsibilities will be tailored to the skills and interests of the applicant. Each intern will work directly as an assistant to a supervising staff member, and interns are encouraged to develop an independent project to be completed during the internship as well. Responsibilities may include literature searches, interviewing, environmental sampling, data management, and writing, among other possibilities. Undergraduate and masters level interns are expected to spend approximately 20% of their time on office support tasks (telephones, etc.). Interns are expected to maintain regular work hours, with some flexibility to accommodate major assignments and exams.

Examples of previous and projected intern activities:

• Identify from chemical engineering references the consumer products that are likely sources of exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds
• Using GIS, map likely air pollutant exposures on Cape Cod
• Assist in developing web site capabilities and content
• Help maintain and expand the Institute’s 6,000-item special library
• Using interviews and published literature, identify the best models of community based participatory research
• Interview breast cancer activists about environmental attitudes

Requirements: Excellent academic record. Chemistry, biology, statistics coursework an asset for research interns. Energetic, flexible, constructive outlook. Excellent attention to accuracy, ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary team. Commitment to careful and impartial research in a context of partnership between scientists and the public.

To apply, send cover letter describing your interests and experience related to this internship, resume, writing sample, and copy of academic transcript (photocopy is fine) to Diane Czwakiel, Administrative Manager, Silent Spring Institute, 29 Crafts Street, Newton, MA 02458, or email to careers@silentspring.org with 'Internships' in the subject line. Please designate the time period you are interested in.

Senior Scientist

Senior scientist applicants should expect to develop and lead an independent research program within our mission. Our scientists publish in high-impact scientific journals, compete for federal grants, and participate in scientific conferences. We collaborate with researchers at Brown, Harvard, and Tufts, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, University of Southern California, USGS, and CDC. Senior scientists are supported by outstanding research assistants and access to funds for pilot studies and proposal development. Click here for publications by Silent Spring Institute researchers.

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition/Silent Spring Institute
Internship in Special Events and Outreach

The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) / Silent Spring Institute (SSI) intern will assist with publicizing and preparing for the annual Against the Tide fundraising and outreach events. This position involves daily communication with Cheryl Osimo, MBCC/SSI Event and Outreach Coordinator. The intern will be contacting media outlets throughout Massachusetts with press releases and feature news stories covering the events.

Job responsibilities can be completed from school or home, as Internet and telephone will be the primary communication tools needed for assignments. Thus, the flexibility of the position is substantial, with minimal travel except for on-site assistance required the day before and day of the 2010 Against the Tide Swim/Walk/Kayak events held in Hopkinton, MA, on June 19th and Brewster, MA, on August 21st. Interested individuals may choose to commit to fall 2009, spring 2010 and/or summer 2010 semester time periods. The duration of the intern commitment is flexible. Individual arrangements can be made with Cheryl Osimo. While the position is unpaid, many institutions offer students credit or stipends to cover expenses.

Job Responsibilities May Include:

• Interviewing Against the Tide event participants. This responsibility requires phone and/or e-mail contact with those who have been touched by breast cancer. Phone interviews are critical for obtaining information used in press releases and media coverage. In some instances it will be necessary to interview participants in person.
• Preparing press releases for newspaper, radio, and television coverage, as appropriate, and e-mailing and/or faxing to media outlets. This includes follow-up calls and providing additional information when necessary.
• Initiating contact with local community businesses, health facilities, and individuals to encourage community sponsorship and individual and team participation.
• Posting event materials including posters and mailers in various locations. This responsibility includes targeting high traffic locations that will increase event participation.
• Assisting with preparation the day before and the day of an event. This may include inflating buoys, marking the walk trail, contacting event vendors, and various other duties.

This position requires access to a computer and telephone. Critical skills include ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks, excellent communication skills, concise and clear writing abilities, Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel document preparation. Organizational skills are necessary to manage a high volume of e-mails, documents, event information, and contacts. The position also requires interviewing skills that allow for a level of compassion, sensitivity, and tact that is necessary given the nature of the discussion.

For more information please contact Cheryl Osimo, MBCC/SSI Event
and Outreach Coordinator, at 508.246.3047 or cherylosimo@comcast.net.

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