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HHMI is focused on supporting and moving science forward in a variety of different ways ranging from conducting basic biomedical research, empowering educators, inspiring students, developing the next generation of scientists – even stretching into film and media production. Our Headquarters is in the greater Washington, DC metro area and is home to over 300 employees with expertise in investments, communications, digital production, biomedical sciences, and everything in between. The work housed here supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation. As HHMI scientists continue to push boundaries in laboratories and classrooms, you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference.
The Opportunity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is one of the largest private funders of biomedical research in the world, supporting hundreds of scientists at leading universities, hospitals, and research institutes, a dedicated research campus outside of Washington, DC that is the home of the AI@HHMI initiative, and national programs in science education, film and television, and AI-enabled research. The HHMI Presidential Fellows Program places a small cohort of exceptional early-career professionals (2–3 per year) directly in the Office of the President, working on the institute’s highest-priority strategic initiatives.
Fellows report to the President and the Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Senior Advisor to the President. This is not a rotation or an observation post. Fellows own projects, move them forward, and engage senior leadership for guidance and decision-making. The role is modeled on the federal Special Assistant to the President: high trust, high access, and high output.
What Fellows Do
Lead cross-functional strategic projects spanning science programs, AI, finance, communications, human resources, technology, science education, and film
Take initiatives from concept to the 20-yard line: scoping problems, building options, engaging the right people, and driving toward decisions
Manage AI agents and LLM-based workflows to accelerate high-priority projects across the Institute
Handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and sound judgment
Dedicate 10% of their time to self-directed projects of their choosing, subject to approval by the President and COO
Who We’re Looking For
Bachelor's degree required. We welcome both outstanding recent graduates and candidates with advanced degrees (MBA, MPP, PhD, JD, or equivalent) and 0 to 5 years of professional experience in consulting, policy, research, strategy, law, operations, or a comparable field
Demonstrated ability to move between domains quickly, synthesizing information and driving action in unfamiliar territory
Fluency with AI tools and large language models, including experience orchestrating AI agents to advance complex work
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of producing clear, concise work product for senior audiences
Comfort with ambiguity, shifting priorities, and the pace of executive-level decision-making
Intellectual curiosity that spans the sciences, policy, technology, and institutional strategy
Why This Fellowship
HHMI sits at the intersection of science, philanthropy, education, media, and technology. Few institutions offer this breadth, and no other fellowship program places early-career professionals at the center of it. Fellows leave with a portfolio of consequential work, a network that spans academia, government, and the private sector, and the judgment that comes from operating at the highest levels of a world-class institution.
Details
Term: 2–3 years (fixed term)
Location: HHMI Headquarters, Chevy Chase, MD (primarily on-site)
Compensation: $150,000 - $200,000
Reports to: President and VP/COO/Senior Advisor to the President
Physical Requirements:
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note:
This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate’s education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal consistency when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.
Compensation and Benefits
Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.
HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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