Argonne summer science-writing internship for undergraduates

Argonne National Laboratory's Communications & Public Affairs Division offers one full-time science-writing internship each summer for undergraduate students or students who graduated in May or June. Former Argonne interns subsequently landed reporting and editing jobs with Science, Science News, R&D, Chemical & Engineering News, The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the International Medical News Group and the Elgin Courier-News, and as science writers at Cal Tech, Purdue, the American Chemical Society, Ames Laboratory, Argonne, and the University of Chicago Hospitals.

Participants must be full-time students at an accredited college or university and must have a strong interest in science-related journalism. Participants will work at least ten 40-hour weeks on science news and feature stories and magazine articles for the Argonne News, ArgonneNow and the Argonne Web site, as well as related news releases and media contacts. The internship requires a strong background in journalism and an interest in science.

The working environment is collegial, creative and collaborative. Argonne's Communications & Public Affairs Division has four full-time professional journalist/writers who work with our interns daily.

Argonne National Laboratory has more than 200 research programs in basic and applied science, including mathematics and computer science, biology, environmental research, materials science, physics, chemistry, energy research, and advanced nuclear reactor technology. Argonne's Illinois site is located on a wooded, 1,500-acre campus near Chicago.

See the following links for more information about Argonne and the publications:

Argonne home page || ArgonneNow || Argonne News || News releases

Eligibility: U.S. citizenship or permanent resident alien status. Undergraduate in good standing or May-June graduate at an accredited college or university. Must have completed at least sophomore year with demonstrated competence in science writing.

Support: $400 per week stipend, a housing allowance that covers the rental cost of Argonne-provided housing, and travel reimbursement for roundtrip distances greater than 100 miles.

What we look for: Demonstrated writing ability and an interest in science. Other aspects of your application have a bearing, but your writing samples — stories and articles published in newspapers or magazines or written for class — weigh most heavily in our decision.

Application deadlines: We are currently accepting applications for Summer 2008. Application deadline is Friday, March 1, 2008.

How to apply

Please complete these three steps:

1. Fill out the online application for the Argonne Student Research Participation Program. Be sure to print and submit the reference forms at the end of the application. Under "Research Projects," select "055 – JOURNALISM AND PUBLIC RELATIONS OPPORTUNITIES."
2. Fill out a second online application for the DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships.
3. Mail or fax three writing samples to Abby Allred, Communications & Public Affairs, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Argonne, IL 60439. Fax 630-252-5274.
4. Download and submit two recommendation forms from faculty members or former employers to Abby Allred, Communications & Public Affairs, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Argonne, IL 60439. Fax 630-252-5274.

For more information, please contact Abby Allred at 630-252-5545 or aallred@anl.gov.