Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

RTI International’s Center for Clinical Research is seeking a Clinical Study Specialist Intern for spring 2027. The Center for Clinical Research provides project management and study leadership to clinical studies by working with clients and investigators to plan, design, and execute studies and support the infrastructure of coordinating center operations to ensure advancements in science, health, and medicine.

As an intern, you will function as an integral part of a team supporting research activities and project coordination. The role includes opportunities to collaborate with all levels of research staff while developing an in-depth understanding of clinical research policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and methodology. Many opportunities for mentorship and professional development in a variety of topic areas are available.

Learning Objectives:

• Obtain experience in how to navigate and support research activities requiring close and intense collaboration between project team members such as principal investigators, project managers, study coordinators, data managers, statisticians, clients, and other external collaborators and stakeholders (e.g., academia, subject matter experts, thought leaders, etc.).
• Become familiar with research best practices from the perspective of a non-academic professional research organization, often under rigorous client and regulatory timelines, following structured quality control processes and standard operating procedures.
• Collaborate in the development, finalization, and refinement of pertinent study materials (i.e., timeline and deliverable tracking tools, study protocols, manuals of procedures, case report forms, site and patient-facing materials, site and investigator training resources, etc.).
• Gain knowledge in complying with various federal and IRB-associated regulatory requirements, submissions, and approval processes.
• Engage in quality assurance, quality control, and risk mitigation practices through remote study site monitoring.
• Foster soft skills and cultivate RTI’s Lead Forward behaviors: Act Strategically, Collaborate, Communicate, Develop Talent, Engage Inclusively, Innovate, and Think Globally.

What You'll Do

• Communicate and coordinate with mentor and project leadership regarding internship schedule and bandwidth to take on project tasks throughout the course of internship.
• Shadow and engage in project work overseen by the intern’s mentor(s) and/or on other relevant projects as staffing needs arise.
• Participate in internal and client-facing project meetings.
• Draft, review, assemble, and distribute various project and/or study-related materials.
• Help support management of internal and external project communications and correspondences, and assist with other project management responsibilities including scheduling, preparing meeting agendas, and recording meeting minutes.
• Contribute to remote study site monitoring efforts including data entry review, regulatory documentation review, and study team debrief.
• Assist in developing and implementing processes to assure quality and accuracy of data analyses and reporting.
• Review and proof own work for accuracy, quality, and completeness.
• Complete relevant research-oriented (e.g., DCC standard operating procedures, GCP/HSR compliance training, etc.) trainings.
• Support additional project related tasks or efforts of specific interest to the intern that are deemed appropriate and approved by mentor.

RTI's Internship Program emphasizes experiential and mentored learning experiences, providing students and recent degree recipients an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge and skills in a meaningful and practical way. We are committed to developing the future workforce by encouraging interns to explore various career paths in a nonprofit research institute setting that values diversity and inclusion. Through this program, interns will be exposed to RTI's open and educational culture; support RTI's mission to improve the human condition; and build upon their career goals.

Additional Information

This remote paid with academic credit internship will take place from January 2027 through April 2027. The internship requires a minimum commitment of 40 hours per week. Hours are flexible during business hours, Monday through Friday.

What You'll Need

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship
• Rising undergraduate level senior, who will be completing their final year of study in bachelor of science clinical research degree program during the course of the internship.
• Demonstrated interest and basic understanding of clinical research.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and excellent attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• History of prior work and/or volunteer experience.

EEO & Pay Equity Statements

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.