Are you a science graduate, interested in communication and the publishing industry? NPG has developed an annual internship scheme offering science graduates the opportunity to experience all aspects of the scientific, technical and medical (STM) publishing industry.

Science publishing is truly diverse. Graduate or post-graduate scientists understand the needs and aspirations of scientists and as a result can flourish in many areas of science publishing, be it editing, marketing, sales or implementing new technologies.

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Each intern is assigned a mentor to provide direction and placed in our marketing, advertising sales, editorial or new technology departments, in either London or New York (depending on applicant's residency and right to work).

Tasks vary from delivering a project of direct relevance to the department objectives, or managing a variety of tasks within a department or for a specific journal. This could include editorial work, production work, marketing or sales.

Interns receive a stipend to help cover living costs for the duration of the internship.

The scheme lasts for six months, normally from September until February. Whilst we do not guarantee that all interns will be offered a job at NPG, the majority of previous interns have stayed with us, and have successfully undertaken varied roles within the company.

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We are looking for recent science graduates, possibly still working in research towards a higher qualification.

You will be interested in communicating scientific concepts to a broad audience and recognize that those concepts could equally be new research findings, new publications, or other developments in science publishing. You should understand that your audience could reach beyond scientists to librarians, others with an interest in science, or companies who provide important equipment, reagents, and new technologies to researchers and need avenues in which to advertise. You will show awareness of commercial issues and an interest in the challenge of publishers to provide real value and to grow their business. You will show initiative, creativity, energy, enthusiasm, have a sound understanding of and interest in web 2.0 and you will have excellent interpersonal skills in order to work well with a range of colleagues across international departments.

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Samia Mantoura. Cambridge University, PhD Isotope Geochemistry

Your Internship: I was working for the Publisher of Nature's physical science journals. This was a great opportunity for me as I quickly gained experience in a wide range of activities, from writing, commissioning and editing articles for Nature China, a new website that I helped develop and launch, to researching and writing reports on NPG's publishing strategy.

And now: Towards the end of my internship I applied for a position as Assistant Publisher for Nature. I have been doing this since May and I love it. It allows me to keep in touch with science, while developing my career in the business side of the company.

Jan-Willem Theunissen. Cornell University, PhD Molecular Biology

Your Internship: I started as an intern at Nature Biotechnology. Two months into my internship I accepted the editor’s offer to join the journal as an assistant editor.

And now: I am an associate research editor for Nature Biotechnology. I currently handle about one third of the research content and commission review articles on exciting technologies and therapies. If you’re passionate about publishing good science, I recommend applying for full time editor positions or editorial internships at Nature Publishing Group.

Anne Pichon. Queens University Belfast, PhD Supramolecular Chemistry

Your Internship: I was working with the editorial team of Nature Reviews Drug Discovery on an exciting web 2.0 project entitled Nature Biopharma. I helped research and develop this upcoming web portal at the same time as writing research highlights for Nature Reviews Drug Discovery.

And now: After my internship I was offered the position of Assistant Editor with the Society of Chemical Industry and that’s what I am doing now!

Li-Kim Lee. University College London, PhD Biochemical Engineering

Your Internship: I joined NPG as a web publishing intern and worked with the Publisher of the then conceptual Nature Network (a social networking site for scientists). My internship involved helping to set up the website, conducting research on the London scientific scene, especially its post-doc community, and meeting with various science organizations.

And now: It was natural progression for me to stay on at NPG and continue to develop this social network, as the Nature Network Publishing Assistant, with special responsibility for business research, EU outreach and maintenance of the Nature Network London events listings.

Caitlin Tresande. Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Postdoc, Neurobiology

Your Internship: One of the great strengths of the NPG Internship program is that it provides one with an outstanding opportunity to discover new interests and develop untapped talents. I came to NPG after eight years of graduate and postdoctoral work in Neuroscience and developed a strong interest in the technology side of science publishing. As the sole PhD scientist in the Emerging Technology department, my experience was put to work identifying solutions to the problems of searching and navigating our scientific content, learning the structure and language of the underlying technology along the way. The key skill I learned was to move fluidly between scientific, creative, conceptual and technical environments.

And now: Like many at NPG I wear a number of different hats. As Emerging Technology Analyst, I’m one part scientist, one part technologist and one part business analyst. I’m passionately interested in how we at NPG can help scientists communicate with one another and communicate with the world – and how through innovating in this sphere, we can grow our business. I work with our system architect, developers, editors, publishers and corporate strategists to innovate technology applications which serve our core scientific audience and introduce our content to our growth audience: generalist consumers of scientific information. It’s exciting work performed in an exciting environment: NPG has an intellectually vibrant corporate culture, as well as one highly supportive of career development.

Natasha Ighodaro. York University, BSc Molecular Cell Biology

Your Internship: I was assigned to the Global Head of Advertising, who gave me three business development projects to drive forward. A definite highlight of my internship was pitching one of these projects as a viable business proposal to the board of directors.

And now: I was offered a position as Media Planner, in the marketing department. I spend a lot of time generating media coverage for some of NPG’s new web 2.0 ventures, and also have responsibility for developing NPG’s corporate website.

James Ghadiali. Oxford University, BSc Biochemistry

Your Internship: I was working with the Publisher of Nature on a wide range of projects involving the development of new publications, advertising, sponsorship and web design to name but a few. Working on many diverse topics at any one time, although initially rather daunting, really gave me a detailed and comprehensive view of how modern science publishing works, as well as boosting my time and project management skills.

And now: Although I greatly enjoyed my time at NPG, I always intended to carry on with my studies. I have now returned to university, to undertake a PhD in Bionanotechnology.

Helen Jaques. Kings College London, BSc Human Biology

Your Internship: I spent my internship with the Nature Clinical Practice team and rotated around the four main departments- editorial, production, sales and marketing- which allowed me to gain an overview of all aspects of scientific publishing. I was able to participate in the whole editorial process, from commissioning and copyediting an article all the way to its typesetting and publication in print and online. I was also involved in the commercial aspect of publishing and was able to contribute towards generating some of the income and exposure that supports the journals.

And now: In my current position as an Editorial Assistant for Nature Clinical Practice, I write, copyedit, and perform research for all eight journals, thereby pursuing my interest in both human biology and language.

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To apply, email your CV or resume with covering letter to npgintern@macmillan.co.uk with the subject line: NPG Graduate Internship Scheme.

There is strong competition for places on the scheme and initial decisions will be based on your covering letter. Please consider what you can contribute to NPG’s business and explain your suitability for the program.

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