What are the responsibilities and job description for the Full-Time Clinical Research Internship Summer 2026 position at Breakthrough T1D?
As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with T1D better while driving toward cures. We invest in the most promising research to turn ideas into life-changing therapies and devices. We work with government, regulatory officials, and insurance companies to address issues that impact the T1D community -- breaking through barriers that limit access to care worldwide. We provide resources and guidance that makes it easier to live and thrive with T1D. This is more than a moment -- we're empowering a movement for the T1D community. Share your support and help educate and empower individuals facing type 1 diabetes.
Our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent and ultimately, cure T1D and its complications. Always, we are guided by a single purpose: As we drive towards curing type 1 diabetes, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it.
Project Summary
“Bridging Evidence to Impact:
A Type 1 Diabetes Research Recruitment Gap Analysis”
This proposed project is for a hands-on research program centered on conducting a comprehensive landscape gap analysis of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) clinical research ecosystem. The intern will be trained to systematically review and synthesize scientific literature with a specific focus on clinical trial data, subject enrollment patterns, and outcomes results across Breakthrough T1D’s priority areas of early detection, DMTs, cell therapies, and improving lives (metabolic control, complications, devices).
Through guided mentorship, the student will actively participate in not only mapping the current landscape of T1D clinical research design, conduct, and results; but identify critical gaps where research is not currently funded to address the desired future states. Is Breakthrough T1D – and the field as a whole – running the right trials in the right locations with the right populations to answer the questions being asked? The subjects enrolled in trials are just as important as the science. This information is not captured through standard landscape analyses. When trial populations and locations differ from real-world patients, the findings and uptake of therapies lack generalizability, and the trial faces an external validity problem.
The proposed project emphasizes applied research skills, strategic analysis, and real-world impact by producing tangible deliverables such as gap heatmaps, priority recommendations, and a research investment roadmap based on Breakthrough T1D’s mission-oriented approach. This experiential learning opportunity prepares students to contribute meaningfully to translational research, nonprofit strategy, and health innovation initiatives.
What is a research landscape gap analysis?
A research landscape gap analysis is a systematic process of reviewing existing literature, data, and/or industry trends to identify unexplored, missing, outdated, or contradictory areas (the "gaps") in knowledge and empirical work; or research which lacks practical application in the clinic. It involves mapping the current state of a field, comparing it against a desired future state (the “goal”), and identifying what missing evidence would satisfy gap-to-goal as a means of guiding future research, strategic planning, or innovation. What sets this apart from a traditional landscape analysis is that it produces actionable insights.
The key steps are to (1) define the current state; (2) define the desired state (our mission for a world without T1D); (3) identify the gap; (4) outline steps to fill the gap.
Expected Learnings
By completing this project, the intern is expected to gain experience in the realms of:
Academic/Scientific
Essential Functions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and infrequently up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Benefits
Breakthrough T1D offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, voluntary benefits, flexible spending and commuter benefit accounts, an employee assistance program (EAP), life and disability insurance, performance-based bonuses, and generous paid time off. Benefits may vary by job level and full time or part time status.
Additional Information
Requests for medical, religious, and other exemptions will be considered on an individual basis. Breakthrough T1D will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
Breakthrough T1D supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Breakthrough T1D is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent and ultimately, cure T1D and its complications. Always, we are guided by a single purpose: As we drive towards curing type 1 diabetes, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it.
Project Summary
“Bridging Evidence to Impact:
A Type 1 Diabetes Research Recruitment Gap Analysis”
This proposed project is for a hands-on research program centered on conducting a comprehensive landscape gap analysis of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) clinical research ecosystem. The intern will be trained to systematically review and synthesize scientific literature with a specific focus on clinical trial data, subject enrollment patterns, and outcomes results across Breakthrough T1D’s priority areas of early detection, DMTs, cell therapies, and improving lives (metabolic control, complications, devices).
Through guided mentorship, the student will actively participate in not only mapping the current landscape of T1D clinical research design, conduct, and results; but identify critical gaps where research is not currently funded to address the desired future states. Is Breakthrough T1D – and the field as a whole – running the right trials in the right locations with the right populations to answer the questions being asked? The subjects enrolled in trials are just as important as the science. This information is not captured through standard landscape analyses. When trial populations and locations differ from real-world patients, the findings and uptake of therapies lack generalizability, and the trial faces an external validity problem.
The proposed project emphasizes applied research skills, strategic analysis, and real-world impact by producing tangible deliverables such as gap heatmaps, priority recommendations, and a research investment roadmap based on Breakthrough T1D’s mission-oriented approach. This experiential learning opportunity prepares students to contribute meaningfully to translational research, nonprofit strategy, and health innovation initiatives.
What is a research landscape gap analysis?
A research landscape gap analysis is a systematic process of reviewing existing literature, data, and/or industry trends to identify unexplored, missing, outdated, or contradictory areas (the "gaps") in knowledge and empirical work; or research which lacks practical application in the clinic. It involves mapping the current state of a field, comparing it against a desired future state (the “goal”), and identifying what missing evidence would satisfy gap-to-goal as a means of guiding future research, strategic planning, or innovation. What sets this apart from a traditional landscape analysis is that it produces actionable insights.
The key steps are to (1) define the current state; (2) define the desired state (our mission for a world without T1D); (3) identify the gap; (4) outline steps to fill the gap.
Expected Learnings
By completing this project, the intern is expected to gain experience in the realms of:
Academic/Scientific
- Practical educational and clinical research experience conducting landscape and gap analyses in a real-world research context
- Skills in systematic literature review, data synthesis, and interpretation of data
- Exposure to ethical considerations in health research and data use
- An understanding of the T1D research ecosystem, including academic, clinical, translational, and commercialization pathways
- Experience aligning research findings with organizational strategy and mission-driven goals
- Ability to translate complex research findings into actionable insights, strategic recommendations, and visual outputs (e.g., gap heatmaps)
- Time management skills, including balancing multiple tasks and deadlines
- Experience working within established organizational structures and workflows
- Learning how to receive, interpret, and act on constructive feedback
- Exposure to professional standards for documentation, communication, and accountability
- Participating in meetings, scheduling, note-taking, and synthesizing discussion into next steps
- Developing confidence in presenting findings and contributing to group discussions
- Background and completed coursework in clinical/medical sciences, biomedical research, data science, or related fields
- High degree of familiarity with scientific research methods, PRISMA literature reviews, statistics, and data analysis
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Knowledge of data mapping tools and coding platforms (such as but not limited to Excel, Python, Tableau, Covidence)
- Prior experience with diabetes terminology is helpful but not required
Essential Functions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and infrequently up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Benefits
Breakthrough T1D offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, voluntary benefits, flexible spending and commuter benefit accounts, an employee assistance program (EAP), life and disability insurance, performance-based bonuses, and generous paid time off. Benefits may vary by job level and full time or part time status.
Additional Information
Requests for medical, religious, and other exemptions will be considered on an individual basis. Breakthrough T1D will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
Breakthrough T1D supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Breakthrough T1D is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Salary : $18