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Director's Summer Program (DSP)

The Director's Summer Program (DSP) is a highly competitive program that seeks to reach the nation's most outstanding undergraduate mathematics majors. Each summer, we invite exceptional undergraduate students to put their problem-solving skills to the test in mathematics, cryptology and communications technology. These problems often involve applications of abstract algebra, geometry, number theory, probability, statistics, combinatorics, graph theory, algorithms, computer science and analysis. State-of-the-art computing resources are available to all students. Computational algebra packages, including Mathematica, MATLAB, Magma and MAPLE are available, in addition to a variety of statistics packages.

The DSP is looking for students who have distinguished themselves in national mathematics or modeling competitions, or in undergraduate research. At the beginning of the summer, students are presented with introductory lectures on modern cryptologic mathematics and with descriptions of several current problems of interest. Each student chooses one or two problems as the focus of his or her research. Throughout the summer, students are expected to document their work in technical papers, which are internally published at NSA.

About the Program
The DSP is a 12-week program that runs from the end of May through mid-August each year and is open to students majoring in mathematics. Computer science and Physics majors with either a minor in math or a strong math curriculum may also apply. Applicants should have demonstrated superior mathematical aptitude. One full year of abstract algebra and one full year of analysis are strongly recommended. Some computer programming experience is desirable.

Application Deadline
Applications are accepted September 1st - October 15th each year.

Salary
Students are paid a salary commensurate with their education level.

Benefits

  • Receive annual leave, sick leave and paid federal holidays
  • Participation in agency-wide extracurricular programs
  • Students who attend schools in excess of 75 miles from Ft. Meade, MD, are eligible for a round trip airfare ticket to and from school or mileage reimbursement up to the cost of a government-issued airline ticket.
  • Subsidized housing accommodations are available upon request if school is located in excess of 75 miles from NSA main HQs campus

Qualifications

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must be eligible to be granted a security clearance
  • Must be an undergraduate student majoring in Mathematics, Computer Science, or Physics. Other majors with either a minor in math or a strong math curriculum may apply.  Students that are completing their degree after the fall or spring semester are also eligible to apply.
  • Must be available for an operational interview and other applicable processing between the months of January and April 2013

How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online on or before October 15th. Applications received after the deadline, as well as incomplete packages, will not be considered.

To submit a resume online during open season, click any “Apply Online” link. Under “Basic Job Search,” type in keywords “Director's Summer Program” and click on “Search.” Select “Director’s Summer Program” and click “Apply Now.” Follow the directions as prompted.

To be considered, you must submit a complete application package that includes:

  • A resume
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members who can speak directly to your mathematics background
  • Transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended through the current academic year

 

IMPORTANT:  When applying online, you may only submit your resume.  Please email the requested documentation to math@nsa.gov, via fax at (301) 688-0689 or by mail at the following address:
National Security Agency
Office of Recruitment
P.O. Box 1661, Suite 6515
Fort Meade, MD  20755-6515
Attn:  R1, DSP

Applications are not complete without the requested documentation.

Questions
If you have questions about the Director’s Summer Program, please contact us at the address above or call 1-866-NSA-HIRE.  You may also e-mail ljmcwee@nsa.gov or call (410) 854-4726.

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Date Posted: Jan 15, 2009 | Last Modified: Oct 04, 2011 | Last Reviewed: Oct 04, 2011

  
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