Research and Career Opportunities for Undergraduates
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Department of Astronomy
Overview of the Undergraduate Astronomy Program at UT ( pdf )
Note to Undergraduates: The application deadline for most Summer Research Internships is in January and early February, so you should start to put your application together early (e.g., Dec to early January) and give your letter-writers plenty of advance notice.
College of Natural Sciences
University of Texas
The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded program that provides a comprehensive Ph.D. preparatory program for first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students. One of the main components of our program is a Summer Research Internship. For more information please contact us or visit our website.
Summer Jobs/Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU's)
Spend your summer in the mountains of West Texas!
Astronomy and Physics undergrads ... looking for a unique summer experience? The Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at the McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, Texas will be offering one summer student position to work at the University's remote campus in the heart of the mountains of West Texas. From June through August, the Visitors Center hosts nearly 20,000 visitors for an extensive array of public and educational outreach programs including:
Guided Tours of some of the largest research telescopes in the world open to the public
Solar Viewings, presenting live views of the Sun in our multimedia theater
Star Parties, where many visitors get their first views of a truly dark nighttime sky
Scout Nights, presenting demonstrations promoting dark-sky & light-pollution awareness in addition to evening observing
As a summer student, the successful applicant will not only participate in these programs but also learn how to present them, as well. Presenting these programs is an excellent opportunity to develop public speaking skills in addition to being an opportunity to share your knowledge of astronomy and physics.
In addition to a competitive hourly wage, room and board will be provided in the Astronomers Lodge (AL) where both researchers and technicians stay while working at the Observatory. Dinnertime at the AL is an excellent opportunity to make contacts with researchers, graduate students, and professors from UT as well as other universities and observatories around the world. Of course, you'll also enjoy some of the darkest night skies of any major observatory in the US.
A successful applicant will have completed, at least, Ast 307 or its equivalent. The successful candidate will have an outgoing personality, a good speaking voice, as well as, preferably, some knowledge of amateur telescopes and equipment. The candidate will also have a valid class “C” (standard operator) driver’s license and provide a current three year driving record.
To apply, send a resume and/or letter of interest to the Visitors Center's Senior Program Coordinator, Frank Cianciolo, at frankc@astro.as.utexas.edu. For questions, etc., use the same address or call 432-426-4152.
The summer student intern position is made possible by the John W. Cox
Endowment for the Advanced Studies in Astronomy.
(posted: 3/13/2011)
UC Berkeley Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) 2011
The University of California, Berkeley is pleased to announce its 2011 Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP), offering students opportunities for faculty-mentored research in the fields of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth & Planetary Science, Geology, Geophysics, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. The eight-week program will be held on the UC Berkeley campus from June 5 through July 30, 2011. Application deadline: February 1, 2011. You may access the 2011 program description and application online above.
Cornell 2011 Astronomy REU program (flyer~pdf)
The Department of Astronomy of Cornell University is pleased to announce that pending funding from the National Research Foundation, it will conduct its 2011 summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. The web page above contains more information and a link to the application form:
The Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), a division of the National Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO), located in La Serena, Chile, offers 10 week Undergraduate Research Assistantships to qualified undergraduates as part of the National Science Foundation funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. The program is run during the Chilean summer, January through March, both to offer students an alternative to the more common northern summer programs, and to encourage interaction with Chilean students visiting and working at CTIO throughout these months. The application deadline for the 2011 program is October 22, 2010.
Our program gives participants an opportunity to develop skills for contemporary research under the guidance of internationally known physicists. These REU experiences help students make informed decisions about graduate school and careers in academia or research. Accepting applications in December.
Kitt Peak National Observatory REU Summer 2011
The KPNO REU program provides an exceptional opportunity for undergraduates considering a career in science to engage in substantive research activities with NOAO scientists working in the forefront of contemporary astrophysics. The application deadline is January 28, 2011
2011 REU Summer Program at the Arecibo Observatory
REU for undergraduates and positions for 1st & 2nd year graduate students. Areas of research include radio and radar astronomy, and space and atmospheric sciences. Students interested in electronic instrumentation or computer sciences also encouraged to apply. 2011 REU flyer (pdf)
International Astronomical Youth Camps (IAYC)
August
Klingenthal, Germany
poster
SAMSI Undergraduate Modeling Workshop
N.C. State University
Student Writer Position with UT-Austin McDonald Observatory
Summer position involves writing for non-technical audience on astronomers and astronomical research,
under the supervision of McDonald Observatory's Press Officer.
This opportunity is great for those of you with no research experience. The program includes workshops to help you develop those skills. 10 week summer physics research program at Brigham Young University, many areas of research are available, including astronomy and theory.
Undergraduate Research Internships in Astronomy - through the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy. Eight- to 10-week appointments may begin as early as mid-May or extend as late as early August, depending on the participant's academic calendar and particular SARA host site.
This undergraduate research program is aimed at highly motivated students in the physical sciences who wish to enagage in an intensive 10-week project with a UCLA faculty member, working in Physics or Astronomy and who are in their third or fourth year in college but have not yet graduated by the summer.
Cornell University is pleased to announce its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in Observational Astronomy. The web page above contains more information and a link to the application form.
NASA - Houston - Planetary Sciences
NASA - the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience research in the planetary sciences. As a summer intern, you will work one-on-one with a scientist either at the LPI or NASA Johnson Space Center. 10 week program. $5,000 stipend and $1,000 travel expenses for US or $1,500 for foreign nationals.
Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS)
Exceptional undergraduate students of mathematics, engineering, computer science, and physical and life science disciplines are sought, to apply to this unique summer research program. Past RIPS project sponsors included Arete, Symantec, Amgen, Pixar, JPL, Lawrence-Livermore and Los Alamos National Labs, and others. 36 students will be in-residence at UCLA for nine weeks.
The SETI Institute is pleased to announce a REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program in Astrobiology. Undergraduate students in fields such as astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry, and physics are invited to apply to spend 10 weeks in the San Francisco Bay area working on a scientific research project in the field of astrobiology. Students receive a stipend, travel, and living expenses. Cynthia Phillips, phillips@seti.org, 650-810-0230.
[Attended and recommended by former UT Astronomy student Agnes Kim]
Teaching Assistants act as tutors and mentors, and assist students in using astronomical equipment and personal computers,
under the direction of two senior faculty. They also organize recreational and social activities, and deliver one or more lectures
on topics of their own choosing. Applicants should be graduate students, graduating seniors, or rising college seniors, majoring
in physical science or engineering. SSP alumni are especially encouraged to apply.
Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). These REU programs only accept students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. Students must contact the individual REU sites for information and application materials.
Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) summer program
This program takes both US and international students. STScI manages the science mission of Hubble and of the next generation James Webb Space Telescope for NASA and provides a very dynamic science setting.
ASTRON/JIVE International Summer Students Programme
In the Netherlands. The Programme enables astronomy students (graduate or advanced undergraduate) to spend the summer (10 to 12 weeks) at the Dwingeloo Observatory, conducting astronomical research under the supervision of ASTRON and JIVE staff members.
REU at the Synchrotron Radiation Center (SRC)
Synchrotron Radiation Center (SRC) REU In Madison, WI. May 31 - August 6, 2011. Gain valuable hands-on research experience at a world-class, scientific laboratory and light source that will help you with your decision of whether to pursue a career in science research. Applications are due February 15, 2011.
American Astronomical Society (AAS)
National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO)
NASA (NASA)