Internships Overview
ORCAS Summer Student Internship Program
*ORCAS will not be hosting a summer 2008 internship program.*
Other internship opportunities are available at Oak Ridge National Laboratory through ORISE.
A paid summer research internship in science, engineering and public policy is available, sponsored by the Oak Ridge Center for Advanced Studies (ORCAS). The internship program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).
The ORCAS Summer Student Internship Program brings together graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to work at the interface of science and policy and to learn from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) scientists, distinguished guest speakers, and each other. The goal of the program is to provide an enriching experience for all involved and to build lasting connections between individuals, institutions, and disciplines.
ORCAS has defined the following summer 2007 program topics:
- Nanotechnology applications and implications
- Climate modeling for regional decision making
- Energy technologies and policies
- The American landscape: Changes in land use, population, and housing
Eligibility
You may be eligible for an ORCAS Summer Student Internship if you are EITHER:
(1) Pursuing a graduate degree in the physical or natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, technology, or related fields; AND if your research interests match any one of the four ORCAS summer program topics*; AND if you have a defined interest in the societal implications or policy applications of your chosen field of research;
OR
(2) Pursuing a graduate degree in the social, behavioral, or health sciences or in policy studies; AND if your research interests match any one of the four ORCAS summer program topics*; AND if you have a defined interest in the physical or natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, technology, or related fields.
*Research interests that do not correspond to a defined program topic may be considered, depending on ORCAS project developments and ORNL mentor interests and availability.
In addition, to be eligible for an ORCAS Summer Student Internship, all of the following MUST be true:
- You are a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or a foreign national student attending a U.S. university.
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You are a graduate student and are (1) just entering or are in the first three years of a doctoral or professional degree program, or (2) just entering or are between your first and second year of study in a master’s degree program.
- You are enrolled in an Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) member university (see http://www.orau.org/consortium/members/).
If you are ineligible for the ORCAS Summer Student Internship Program, please refer to http://see.orau.org/ for a list of other ORISE-managed academic fellowships and scholarships, research experiences, sabbaticals, and internships that may be interesting and available to you.
Participant Obligations
A person selected for an ORCAS Summer Student Internship appointment is required to:
- Have coverage under a health insurance plan and provide proof of such coverage. It is the responsibility of each participant to secure insurance coverage before arriving at the appointment site.
- Return required paperwork BEFORE the appointment begins.
- Avoid obligations that will interrupt the term of the appointment. Program dates are June 4 through August 10, 2007.
- Follow all regulations required by ORNL.
- Participate in seminars and poster sessions, and provide final reports as required.
General Benefits for ORCAS Summer Student Internship Appointments
- Stipend ($500/week).
- One paid round trip between home or school and ORNL (for students whose permanent address is more than 60 miles from Oak Ridge).
- Housing allowance ($75/week).
Selection
- Preliminary determination of candidate applicants is made by ORCAS staff. Final selection of participants is made by the mentoring scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in conjunction with the director of the Oak Ridge Center for Advanced Studies, and in consultation with Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education program staff.
- The selection of a participant is based on academic coursework; references; scientific and policy interests; compatibility of the applicant’s background and interests with the research programs at ORNL and with ORCAS summer program objectives; and the availability of funds, programs, and staff.
- Recruitment and selection of participants is done without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, or status as a Vietnam Era veteran.
Notification
All final selection notices will be communicated between April 15 and 30, 2007.
Application materials
For your application to be considered, we must receive the following on or before the application deadline (March 2, 2007). Your:
- Résumé
- Statement of research interests (to include one paragraph describing your policy interests if you’re a student in the natural or physical sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering; or one paragraph describing your natural or physical sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering interests if you’re a social or behavioral science or policy student)
- At least one letter of reference from an academic reference who can attest to your academic qualifications (letter should provide complete reference name and contact information)
If you are selected for program participation, additional documentation will be required.
See How to Apply page for application instructions.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Terry at (865) 576-3427, Cheryl.Terry@orau.org.
Our past programs page describes the experiences of interns in summers past. You may find this information helpful.
See also the program flier.