Rice University Summer Internship Opportunity

For currently enrolled students at the end of their degree program, seeking employment in Research Administration

High Demand Hidden Careers in Research Administration

High Demand Hidden Careers (HDHC) is a state-funded internship program being offered to eligible participants to train and experience a summer internship in Research Administration.

Bay Area Houston Advanced Technology Consortium (Bay Tech) has partnered with Rice University to offer this unique training and internship opportunity during the 2024-2025 grant year.

What are hidden careers in research administration?

Behind every great researcher making breakthroughs is a group of administrators making sure that research is performed efficiently, ethically, safely, legally, and with financial sustainability. Although academic institutions have a high demand for Research Administrators across various functions of an institution, the role is deemed ‘hidden’ as pathways for a professional career in Research Administration are not well known or utilized.

Why a career in research administration?

Research Administrators come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide variety of degrees and transferrable skills in areas such as business, finance, administration, law, education, health care and sciences, communications, and social sciences.

They also work in a variety of settings including healthcare organizations, universities, government, research institutes, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and research service companies. But to be competitive one must develop a knowledge base with professional training and work experience.

The Rice HDHC summer internship combines online coursework, mentored hands on experiences and professional networking to efficiently prepare interns to confidently apply for job opportunities in research administration.

How long is the Rice HDHC summer internship and what will I learn?

The Rice HDHC summer internship spans 12 weeks, beginning May 12, 2025 through July 31, 2025 and is hosted in-person on the Rice University campus, located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center.

Interns will have the opportunity to complete training in Research Administration and will be assigned to a specific office at Rice University for an internship experience related to a particular aspect of Research Administration.

Who is eligible to apply?

• U.S. Citizen or authorized to work in the U.S.
• At least 18 years of age before the start of the internship.
• Currently enrolled student at the end of higher education degree program (any level).
• Currently enrolled student interested in exploring research administration as a career and seeking employment soon.
• Candidate must be unemployed or very under-employed (i.e. working part-time and/or making little in wages).
• If candidate is a male, he needs to be registered for Selective Service.

How do I apply?

View and complete the application form here by March 21. Indicate Rice University as your internship site.

• Completed applications due by March 21, 2025
• Internship participants announced by April 1, 2025.
• Questions about the application and application submission? Contact Kylie@bayareahouston.com
• Questions about the summer internship? Contact Sharon.Pepper@rice.edu

Following the application review, eligible candidates will be contacted for next steps in the selection process.

What is covered?

The summer internship program will provide a stipend of $6,000 for each intern to offset costs associated with in-person participation, including transportation, meals and parking. At the end of the program, interns will be provided career consultation for potential jobs in Research Administration.

What are my responsibilities?

The HDHC program is highly competitive and there is a waiting list. Accepting an offer to join the program indicates your intention to seek employment in the field of research administration and a commitment to complete the full program on time and with the highest degree of professionalism.

Consistent failure to meet the required attendance and time commitment, or poor performance of assigned duties, will result in dismissal from the program.