2013 Summer Science-Writing Internship for Undergraduates

Argonne National Laboratory's Communications, Education & Public Affairs Division is offering one full-time science-writing internship for summer 2013 for an undergraduate student or student who graduates 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, Fermilab, 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 Argonne Now and the Argonne website, as well as related news releases. The internship requires a strong background in journalism and an interest in science.

The working environment is collegial, creative and collaborative. Argonne's Communications, Education & Public Affairs Division has eight 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 || Argonne Now || News releases || Features

Eligibility: U.S. citizenship or legal permanent resident 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: During the internship, participants receive a stipend of $500 per week and housing or a housing allowance. Stipends, housing, and travel are considered taxable income by the IRS. Argonne is required by law to report this income.

Transportation reimbursement: Transportation expenses are reimbursed for one round trip between your home or academic institution and Argonne. Travel will usually be paid only if your permanent address, established by your driver's license, is more than 50 miles away from Argonne. Transportation expenses will be reimbursed on the basis of the most direct route. Travel by a private automobile will be reimbursed at the current government rate up to a maximum of $500 or the cost of the lowest commercial airfare, whichever is lower. Travel by air will be reimbursed at the cost of the lowest commercial airfare. Travel arrangements are arranged by your host division at Argonne.

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: Applications must be filled out online (see below for instructions) and must be received on or before Friday, March 1, 2013.

How to apply

Please complete these three steps:

  1. Fill out the online application for Argonne's Student Research Participation Program. Under "Projects," select "121-CEPA-1: JOURNALISM AND PUBLIC RELATIONS OPPORTUNITIES." Skip the "References" section of the application; instead use the recommendation forms under step 3 below.
  2. Mail, email or fax three writing samples to Lisa Reed, Communications, Education & Public Affairs, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Argonne, IL 60439-4845. E-mail lisareed@anl.gov.. Fax 630-252-3193.
  3. Download and submit two recommendation forms from faculty members or former employers to Lisa Reed, Communications, Education & Public Affairs, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Argonne, IL 60439-4845. Fax 630-252-3193.

For more information, please contact Lisa Reed at 630-252-3366 or lisareed@anl.gov.