NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

[Students Higher Education]
[Available: Nationally]

The Systems Teaching Institute, or STI, is offering a 10- to 12-week summer research project for graduate students in fields relevant to NASA Ames research. Selected students will gain hands-on experience working with cutting-edge research and development teams, an increased understanding of the NASA mission, and mentoring in research management skills. Besides working closely with Ames scientists and engineers, students will have the opportunity to attend seminars tailored to their level of expertise, career development workshops and an end-of-summer symposium where they can share their results with other student interns. Awards, in the form of travel support to a national conference, will be given for the best symposium poster presentations.

This summer, the STI will be hosting 10 to 20 students from colleges and universities across the United States. Students will be selected based on their research interests and career goals and how well they complement existing NASA projects. A list of potential projects is listed below. Additional information about the University Affiliated Research Centers, or UARC, research at NASA Ames can be obtained at http://uarc.ucsc.edu/sti/.   →

Eligibility

Basic Requirements
To be eligible, students must be enrolled in, or accepted into, a master's or doctoral program. Students must demonstrate their potential to contribute to Ames research via enrollment in a highly relevant degree program, such as science, technology, engineering or mathematics, and/or articulation of the following:
--Acquired skills that might be of special interest.
--Prior educational background that shows interdisciplinary knowledge.
--Specialized career goals directly related to NASA's mission.

For Foreign Nationals
Students who have F-1 status may work under certain circumstances while they are in the United States. The two major categories of work for which an international student may qualify are employment on campus and employment off campus. Working as a UARC/STI graduate student intern would constitute employment off campus, for which there are two categories:
--Curricular Practical Training: Internship authorized by an International Student Advisor.
--Optional Practical Training: 12 months authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, per degree level.

The Curricular Practical Training requires that the student receive academic credit for the internship at his or her home institution. More detailed information can be found on the Web site of the San Jose State University International Programs and Services department: http://sjsu.edu/depts/ipss/status/employment.htm.   →

It is highly recommended that all foreign nationals speak with their respective university organizations about the feasibility of obtaining the appropriate work permit. Please note the earlier application deadline for foreign nationals.

Funding Requirements
Project participants cannot receive any other form of federal funding during the internship period of performance.

Pay/Salary
Students will receive $15 to $20 an hour, commensurate with tasks and experience. Starting and ending dates are flexible to allow for varying institutional academic calendars. However, students are expected to work a minimum of 10 weeks between May 1 and September 30. The STI cannot, at this time, offer any stipend for travel or lodging.

Application
A completed application consists of the following:
--Official academic transcripts or letter of acceptance from the student's graduate institution,
--Official academic transcripts from their undergraduate institution for students beginning graduate studies in the fall.
--One letter of recommendation from a professor or research advisor.
--A cover letter that includes a description of career goals, interests and/or special skills.

Application instructions, deadlines and forms can be found at http://uarc.ucsc.edu/sti/.   →

Send applications to:
UARC Systems Teaching Institute
NASA Ames Research Center
MS: 19-26
Building 19
Moffett Field, CA 94035
Attn: STI Graduate Student Project

Potential Research Projects

Nanotechnology:
Pursuing innovative capabilities through the integration of nano-bio-information technologies including fundamental research, physical modeling and characterization, fabrication processes, and demonstration of prototype devices.
-- Multifunctional Thermal Materials
-- Nanosatellites
-- Sensors for gas and state detection
-- Field Emission
-- Nanomaterials and Composites
-- Biosensors

Biotechnology:
Development and insertion of advanced biomedical and biological technologies into NASA’s Space Exploration Programs and Missions. Investigation associated with biological characteristics and the effects of the space environment to aid understanding of fundamental biological processes.
-- PharmaSat Development, Spacecraft & Mission Development
-- Research Program Development
-- Program/Project Formulation and Implementation, Systems Engineering Support
-- Micro-Nano Spacecraft Project

Information Sciences:
Development of advanced information technology, computer science and computing technologies supporting NASA’s space exploration and aerospace missions. Emphasis on applying intelligent agent technologies to emerging missions.
-- User-Centered Technologies: Mission Control Technologies
-- Evolvable Systems
-- Human-Centered Computing
-- Integrated Systems Health Management

Aerospace Systems:
Conduct research as part of NASA’s mission to revolutionize aviation. Meet national requirements for greater automation and autonomous reasoning in ATM systems. Emphasis on airspace automated flight operations and management.
-- Air Traffic Management, Automation Concepts in Aerospace Systems
-- Air Traffic Management Software Development
-- Flight Control System Software Development

Earth Sciences:
Develop and validate theories and research plans for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. Development of sensors for Unpiloted Aerial Systems as NASA seeks to demonstrate and explore their unique capabilities.
-- Airborne Remote Sensing Program.
-- UAS Autonomous Modular Sensor System
-- Western States Fire Missions - Altair and NASA Ikhana Fire Missions
-- Atmospheric Composition
-- Climate Variability
-- Earth Surface and Interior (Geology)
-- Water and Energy Cycle

Who to Contact at NASA
Amy Gilbert
E-mail: agilbert@mail.arc.nasa.gov

Secondary Point of Contact
Dr. Natalie Batalha
E-mail: nbatalha@science.sjsu.edu

UARC STI Research
> View site   →

Additional Contact Information
> View Higher Education contact information   →