Employment

Silent Spring Institute is a scientific research organization and one of the nation’s leading authorities on cancer-causing chemicals in our everyday environments, with a particular focus on breast cancer prevention. We are a collaborative, high-energy staff of 25, including 20 scientists with expertise in epidemiology, toxicology, chemistry, social science, and communications. We lead National Institutes of Health-funded research*, collaborating with investigators at Harvard, UC Berkeley, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Silent Spring also partners with environmental justice groups, documenting racial disparities in exposures to pollutants, and supporting impacted communities. In addition to conducting scientific research, we work to educate policymakers and the public, and to translate our science into policies that support prevention.

Silent Spring Institute is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applicants from groups who are traditionally under-represented in STEM. We value diversity and an inclusive work culture, and we do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, gender identification, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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

* Silent Spring's policy and procedures on financial conflicts of interest in public health service funded research

Positions

Executive Director

Science Writer

Community-Engaged Environmental Health Research Assistant

Senior Scientist

Internships

Internship in Outreach and Special Events

Executive Director

Silent Spring Institute, the leading scientific research organization dedicated to uncovering the links between chemicals in the everyday environment and women’s health, especially the development of breast cancer, seeks a visionary, energetic, and passionate leader to serve as its next Executive Director (ED). Since its founding in 1994, Silent Spring has been an advocate for the development of safer chemicals, market shifts away from toxic chemicals in products, and more health-protective regulatory policies. With the recently announced retirement of Silent Spring’s distinguished leader, Dr. Julia Brody, Silent Spring seeks as its next Executive Director, an accomplished and strategic scientific leader to collaboratively develop and implement a vision for the organization’s next chapter.

The new ED will champion the pioneering work of Silent Spring, be an active listener, relationship-builder, and creative problem-solver, and will have demonstrated organizational leadership and management skills. They will be expected to maintain and expand research areas, garner support internally and externally to enhance resources, promote research and community partnerships, continue to attract and mentor outstanding junior and senior scientists, and engage policymakers at both the state and national levels to further enhance the organization’s impact.

Silent Spring Institute has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in the identification and selection of this new leader. All inquiries, applications, and nominations for this opportunity should be directed to:

Stephanie Fidel, Partner
Ellen Egitton, Associate
Isaacson, Miller

Visit Isaacson, Miller for a full job description.

Science Writer
Women’s Health and the Environment
(full-time, Boston area/hybrid)

Job overview:

The science writer plays a critical role in advancing Silent Spring’s mission to prevent breast cancer and create healthier communities by supporting the organization’s strategic communications across a variety of platforms. Reporting to the Director of Communications, this person is a quick-witted and savvy communicator who creates content for news media, social media, newsletters, educational handouts, and other outreach materials. The science writer also engages with Silent Spring’s scientists across different scientific disciplines to help broaden awareness of the Institute’s science and impact, increase Silent Spring’s visibility, and strengthen its leadership and influence among policymakers, advocates, environmental/health nonprofits, and the general public.

Responsibilities:

• Write clear, accurate, and compelling news releases about Silent Spring’s research and activities
• Create highly engaging content to amplify Silent Spring’s work and thought leadership across its social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Threads, and YouTube)
• Keep up-to-date on science and policy news in environmental health and breast cancer
• Identify opportunities for elevating Silent Spring’s work and strategic messaging through op-eds, letters to the editor, and comments on social media; create relevant content
• Develop clean, attractive social media graphics that support Silent Spring’s visual identity
• Conduct regular social listening to identify external content to promote
• Interview staff scientists to learn about their research, progress, and opportunities for impact
• Occasionally write short video scripts for social media, news updates, and website
• Manage editorial content calendar
• Stay abreast of digital marketing industry trends, new tools, platforms or channels, and identify opportunities to expand our reach and increase engagement
• Take on special projects and writing assignments as needed.

Qualifications and skills:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in science writing/science journalism with 3 years relevant experience (background in science preferred, but not required)
• Keen interest in environmental science and women’s health
• Skillful at translating complex scientific information into simple, clear language
• Knack for using creative storytelling to drive people to take action
• Expertise in multiple social media platforms
• Strong news judgement and editorial skills; experience with both AP and Chicago Styles
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Canva, Hootsuite (or similar), Adobe Creative Suite, and other applications
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively with other staff across different departments
• Experience in Google ads and Google Analytics a plus
• Video editing, photography, or multimedia storytelling a plus
• A growth mindset and willingness to learn new skills

Benefits: 

This position is full-time, based in Newton, Massachusetts. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Silent Spring offers generous benefits including health and dental insurance, four weeks of vacation, two personal days and 12 holidays per year. Free on-site parking and reimbursement for MBTA pass. Join an engaging, multi-disciplinary, and highly-experienced team of professionals dedicated to addressing environmental factors that affect women’s health!

How to apply:

Send a cover letter describing your interests and experience related to this job, resume, and writing samples (e.g. examples of social media posts, news articles, handouts, and opinion pieces) via email to careers@silentspring.org with “science writer” in the subject line.

Silent Spring Institute is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applicants from groups who are traditionally under-represented in STEM. We value diversity and an inclusive work culture, and we do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, gender identification, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

For more information, visit our website at www.silentspring.org.

Community-Engaged Environmental Health Research Assistant

We seek a versatile research assistant to coordinate innovative environmental health studies in a community-engaged context. This is a great opportunity to do public interest science! We are proud to train a new generation for careers in environmental health and environmental justice.

Job Overview:

Founded in 1994, Silent Spring Institute is the leading scientific research organization dedicated to uncovering the links between chemicals in our everyday environment and women’s health. We are a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team with expertise in exposure science, epidemiology, toxicology, chemistry, social science, and communications. We lead studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies and collaborate with investigators at Harvard, UC Berkeley, Brown, and elsewhere. Our current research focuses on exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds, environmental justice and disparities in chemical exposures, chemical toxicity testing, and community-engaged research.

This new hire, working with project Principal Investigators, will direct day-to-day implementation of two health and exposure studies in communities with drinking water contaminated by PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). This position is based in Newton, MA and will require frequent travel to community sites in eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire for the first year.

Responsibilities:   

Our research positions require great versatility in support of the Institute’s transdisciplinary research, communications, community engagement, and policy programs.

• Coordinate recruitment and data collection for two studies on PFAS exposures and health effects in children in communities with a history of water contamination – develop and follow study protocols, collect high quality data through field visits (staff visit homes in pairs), operate environmental sampling equipment, develop sample tracking systems, communicate with study participants, and coordinate the activities of the study team.
• Work with community partners to develop recruitment and outreach strategies.
• Conduct data management and quantitative analysis for environmental exposure data in a range of environmental media.
• Provide research support, including literature review and assistance preparing presentations, manuscripts, and proposals for federal and foundation grants.
• Co-author peer-reviewed articles.
• Speak about environmental health issues with community audiences.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field or bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience and strong quantitative skills. Relevant fields might include (but are not limited to) environmental science, environmental engineering, biology, chemistry, applied statistics, earth science, toxicology, epidemiology, and public health.
• Experience conducting scientific research.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. High energy, creativity, curiosity, attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to careful and impartial research in a context of partnership between scientists and the public.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a car.

Bonus skills:

• Experience coordinating research studies, especially studies involving human participants, or experience coordinating community-based programs
• Substantial experience and/or training with statistical programming languages such as R, SAS, Stata, MATLAB.
• Experience with environmental sample data collection and/or analysis in a laboratory or field setting
• Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese.

Benefits: 

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience (range: $50,000-70,000). We are currently working in hybrid mode with an expectation of two days per week in our office, and data collection will require additional frequent on-site activities. Silent Spring offers generous benefits including health and dental insurance, four weeks of vacation, 12 sick days, two personal days and 12 holidays per year, and professional development support. We offer free on-site parking or reimbursement for an MBTA pass. Join an engaging, multi-disciplinary, and highly experienced team of professionals that values and respects your contributions to our success!

Silent Spring Institute is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applicants from groups who are traditionally under-represented in STEM. We value diversity and an inclusive work culture, and we do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, gender identification, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States.

To apply, send a cover letter describing your interests and experience related to this job, resume, writing sample, and copy of academic transcript (photocopy is fine) by email to careers@silentspring.org with “2023 Study Coordinator” in the subject line.

For more information, visit our website at www.silentspring.org.

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.

Internships

Undergraduate and graduate students with skills and interest in environmental health science, science communication and translation, and chemicals policy are invited to join in Silent Spring Institute’s research through our internship program. Responsibilities may include literature searches, interviews with study participants, environmental sampling, data analysis and management, and writing, among other activities. Specific 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 most interns will complete an independent project. 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, review, and summarize toxicological data for chemicals used in consumer products, including chemicals marketed as safer.
• Inventory local and online retailers to evaluate accessibility of safer consumer products.
• Systematically review literature about chemical exposures in various occupations, geographies, or demographic groups.
• Use R programming to organize and visualize different types of measurement data, for example, chemical exposure measurements.
• Review scientific literature to gather parameters needed to develop fate and transport groundwater models for persistent PFAS compounds.
• Contribute to systematic reviews of epidemiological studies of environmental contributors to breast cancer or other outcomes.
• Contribute to blog post on the implementation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and its implications for public health.
• Create an instructional video on how to use Silent Spring’s online tool for helping private well owners interpret their water test results.
• Interview breast cancer activists about their concerns related to chemical exposures.
• Develop scientific web servers using the Django framework.
• Use python programming to organize big data, for example, develop tools that cross chemical features with biological activities and exposures.
• Develop structural QSAR models using AI and machine learning to predict chemical biological activities from structural properties.

We are seeking to fill a 10-week summer-long internship designed for an undergraduate or graduate student with a strong science background and an interest in environmental science and public health. We also consider interns during the school year for academic credit. The candidate will benefit not only from working closely with Silent Spring's research team, but also will come away with an understanding of how a non-profit organization operates. Due to COVID-19, all staff are currently working remotely and actively collaborating through virtual platforms.

Requirements: 

• Excellent academic record
• Chemistry, biology, bioinformatics, statistics coursework and R/Python programming an asset
• Energetic, flexible, constructive outlook
• Ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary team
• Attention to accuracy and 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 careers@silentspring.org with 'Internships' in the subject line. Please designate the time period you are interested in and the hours/weeks you would be available to work, if not full time.

Silent Spring Institute is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we strongly encourage applicants from groups who are traditionally under-represented in STEM.

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

MBCC Outreach & Communications Internship

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is dedicated to preventing environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy, and changes to public policy. Our annual fundraising events and educational outreach allows us to continue to work towards this goal. Our interns will assist with building and promoting special events and projects for the organization and occasionally for MBCC's sister organization, Silent Spring Institute (SSI). This internship involves frequent communication with Cheryl Osimo, Executive Director. 

OUTREACH & COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP

The flexibility of this internship is substantial given its work from home nature. Phone and internet will be the primary communication tools for assignments. Interns must commit to at least 15 hours per week. Travel is minimal except for on-site assistance required the day before and the day of the following major events:

• Against the Tide in Hopkinton in June
• Against the Tide in Brewster in August

Additionally, there may be other events that will require on-site support.

Responsibilities include:

1. Media & Communication:
   • Proofing and distributing press releases and calendar listings to news media outlets including print and online newspaper, radio, and television. This includes finding up-to-date contact information for media.
   • Interviewing event participants/supporters and composing feature stories and other articles for media. This may require phone and/or email contact of a sensitive nature, since some contact will be required with those who have been touched by breast cancer. Phone interviews are critical for obtaining information used in press releases and media coverage.
2. Marketing & Outreach:
   • Initiating contact with local community businesses and individuals to encourage community sponsorship and individual or team event participation.
   • Posting event materials in various locations. This responsibility includes targeting high traffic locations that will increase event participation.
   • Assisting with social media event promotion campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and more.
3. Administrative:
   • Database building, management, and maintenance to ensure accurate and thorough records of progress in communications and marketing responsibilities.
      

Qualifications: College and Graduate students with minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
 

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Detail-oriented, organized, the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with competing deadlines.
• Proficiency with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and other social media outlets. Prior experience with social media campaigns is preferred.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Word and Excel.

Compensation: All positions are unpaid but we are willing to work with institutions to offer students academic credit.

How to apply: Interns are needed for the following time periods:

• January through August (Spring/Summer Internship)
• September through December (Fall Internship
• January through December (Full year)
   

Start dates and durations are negotiable.

Please send a cover letter, resume, references, and a writing sample to Cheryl Osimo at cherylosimo@comcast.net. Please use “MBCC Outreach & Communications Internship” in the subject line of your email.

To learn more about MBCC and our sister organization, Silent Spring Institute, please visit www.mbcc.org and www.silentspring.org. Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer.