A selective fellowship at the intersection of science, strategy, and institutional leadership
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
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
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.
Interested?
Candidates may apply through either of the following channels:
- Online: Submit your application here, including a one-page statement of interest and resume.
- Email: Send materials directly to presidentialfellows@hhmi.org.
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