Human Rights Archives Intern, Summer 2025

Human Rights Archives Intern, Summer 2025 

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which shared in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, is a U.S.-based international advocacy organization working at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With a global network of thousands of medical, scientific, and legal experts, PHR uses the power of medical and scientific evidence to document human rights and humanitarian law violations and prevent abuses, protect survivors, and promote justice and universal human rights for all. 

Building upon its highly respected place in the field, and supported by a committed and talented team, PHR seeks a Human Rights Archives Intern.  

Location: New York, New York (hybrid) 

Reports to: Senior Operations Program Manager  

Organizational Overview 

Physicians for Human Rights was founded in 1986 by five physicians who were united in the belief that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to prevent harm and promote respect for human rights. Since its founding, PHR has built a long and distinguished record of accomplishment by conducting groundbreaking investigations and advocacy, in concert with strategic partners. 

PHR’s approach includes extensive documentation of the use of illegal and inhumane weapons in armed conflicts, attacks on civilians, and the physical and psychological impacts of torture and sexual violence as a weapon of war. Other core activities include protecting the rights of those seeking asylum in the United States, the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, and halting attacks on medical facilities and frontline health professionals. 

Internship Description 

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is looking for a capable and enthusiastic intern interested in gaining experience with archival records of human rights research. 

This internship is ideal for a student interested in a career in human rights or humanitarian research. You will be given in-depth exposure to PHR’s historical efforts on forensic documentation of war crimes and human rights violations and the pursuit of international justice. Please note that the archives contain sensitive and graphic material; applicants should be comfortable reviewing such content. 

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with human rights records and contribute to the ongoing mission of PHR. PHR’s archives are hosted at Columbia University’s Main Campus in Manhattan and a portion of this internship will take place on-site at the archives.  

PHR offers stipends to student interns. The specific stipend amount will be determined by the average number of hours worked by the intern per week. Details will be further provided during the interview process. 

Duties and Responsibilities  

Conduct a thorough review of all materials in the PHR archives, which contain decades of documentation related to human rights cases and investigations.  

Identify and mark information that is sensitive and needs to be redacted, ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, and privacy considerations. 

Work with Columbia University’s archival staff and PHR staff to establish and maintain a systematic process for redacting materials efficiently to prepare materials for research requests.  

Document and track the materials reviewed and the redacted content for internal records. 

Support PHR staff in identifying non-archived materials to send to the archives.  

Assist in organizing and preparing materials for researchers as needed, ensuring that only non-sensitive and publicly accessible content is provided. 

Support with any additional tasks related to the cataloging, preservation, and management of archival materials. 

Qualifications and Experience  

Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program of study required; previous coursework in history, international development, public policy, human rights, or related field preferred but not required. 

Strong written and verbal communications skills required, including excellent editing skills. 

Strong attention to detail and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and care. 

Excellent research and analytical skills required. 

Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with PHR staff and external partners 

Demonstrated interest in and commitment to human rights. 

Mature judgment, strong integrity, and ability to maintain strict confidentiality required. 

Familiarity with archival standards, practices, and terminology is preferred. 

Must be within commuting distance to Manhattan. 

Location and Hours 

The internship will follow a hybrid work model, with some work conducted remotely, some at Columbia University’s Main Campus, and some in PHR’s office located in Midtown, Manhattan. 

Hours can be flexible to accommodate different types of schedules. 

The internship will commence in June with at least a 12-week commitment. 

How to Apply 

Please send a cover letter and resume to resumes@phr.org. Include “Human Rights Archives Intern, Summer 2025” in the subject line. Please include in your cover letter the number of weekly hours you would be able to commit to the internship.