CBTRUS is excited to announce Summer Internship opportunities for motivated undergraduate, graduate, and professional‑track students interested in epidemiology, biostatistics, data science, public health, neuro‑oncology, and cancer surveillance.

This internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to work directly aligned with CBTRUS’s mission of improving understanding of brain and CNS tumors through high‑quality epidemiologic data.

Interns will support projects in areas such as:

Epidemiologic Data Analysis

• Assisting with incidence and survival pattern analyses using CBTRUS datasets
• Supporting updates to the CBTRUS Statistical Reports

Tumor Classification & Data Quality

• Participating in data harmonization tasks
• Assisting with data quality and completeness evaluations

Research Support for Etiologic Studies

• Reviewing scientific literature
• Compiling population‑based metrics relevant to etiologic investigations

Public Awareness & Communication

• Developing informational materials based on CBTRUS findings
• Supporting dissemination of epidemiologic insights to stakeholders

Ideal candidates include:

• Undergraduate or graduate students in public health, epidemiology, data science, statistics, health sciences, or related fields
• Medical students with interest in cancer registry science, neuro‑oncology, or population health
• Individuals excited about mission‑driven work in a nonprofit scientific setting
• Both early-stage students and those with prior research experience are encouraged to apply

Internship structure

• Duration: 8-12 weeks (Summer 2026)
• Format:
• Compensation: Academic credit may be possible depending on institutional requirements.
• Time Commitment: 10-20 hours/week
• Mentorship: Direct collaboration with CBTRUS analysts and scientific leadership

Application requirements

• CV or résumé
• Short cover letter describing:
• Your interest in cancer epidemiology
• How the internship aligns with your academic/career goals
• Any relevant analytic or scientific experience
• Unofficial transcript
• Contact information for one reference

Submit all application materials as a single PDF to: info@cbtrus.org

Questions should be directed to Mackenzie Price (mprice@cbtrus.org)

What is CBTRUS?

The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) is a not‑for‑profit organization committed to gathering and disseminating current epidemiologic data on all primary brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors, benign and malignant. CBTRUS data are used to describe incidence and survival patterns, evaluate diagnosis and treatment, facilitate etiologic studies, raise disease awareness, and ultimately support brain tumor prevention.

What is the CBTRUS Summer Internship Program?

Our Summer Internship Program offers students hands‑on experience working with population‑based brain and CNS tumor data and supporting mission‑driven epidemiologic research. Interns contribute meaningfully to projects aligned with CBTRUS’s national reporting, research support, and awareness‑building efforts.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include: Undergraduate students, Graduate students (MPH, MS, PhD, MD, DO, etc.), and recent graduates (within one year). Applicants should be enrolled in or training for a health‑related, quantitative, or scientific discipline, or have recently completed training.

Do I need prior experience with cancer registry data?

No. Prior experience is helpful but not required. Successful applicants demonstrate curiosity, strong analytical or communication skills, and interest in CBTRUS’s mission.

Can students from any institution apply?

Yes. The program is open to students nationwide and is not limited to specific universities or regions.

Is a Letter of Recommendation required?

A formal letter is not required at the time of application, but references may be contacted during the selection process.

Is the internship paid?

Compensation details (paid, unpaid, or stipend‑based) will be specified in the internship posting or communicated directly to selected interns.

Is the internship remote or in‑person?

Internships may be remote, hybrid, or in‑person, depending on project needs and intern location. Most projects are well suited to remote participation.

Will interns receive mentorship?

Yes. Interns work closely with CBTRUS staff, including epidemiologists, analysts, and senior scientific leadership. Mentorship includes regular check‑ins, feedback, and guidance on professional development.

What kinds of projects will interns work on?

Interns may contribute to: epidemiologic analyses of incidence and survival patterns, data cleaning and quality assurance, support for CBTRUS statistical reports, literature reviews related to CNS tumor etiology, Development of educational or awareness materials, and data visualization or reporting tools. Projects are assigned based on intern interests, skills, and CBTRUS priorities.

Will interns work independently or in teams?

Interns may work independently on defined tasks while also collaborating with CBTRUS staff and other interns as appropriate.

Will interns be able to publish or present their work?

Some projects may lead to acknowledgments, presentations, or contributions to reports or publications, subject to project scope, timelines, and CBTRUS policies.

How are interns selected?

Applications are evaluated based on: alignment with the mission, interest in epidemiologic or population‑based research, relevant skills or coursework, and clarity of motivation and goals

How many interns are selected each year?

The number of interns varies and depends on available projects and mentorship capacity.

Can international students apply?

International students may apply. Applicants should indicate their status in the application.

Where can I learn more about CBTRUS?

Visit www.cbtrus.org to learn more about CBTRUS’s mission, data resources, reports, and publications.