NRAO Paid 10-Week Research Opportunity for Hispanic/Native Students

Posted: March 18, 2021

Very Large Array Antenna

Call for applications for a virtual research experience!

This opportunity is open to undergraduate or graduate Chicanx/Latinx/Hispanic and/or Native American students registered for an arts, education, or STEM degree.

  • 10 Consecutive Weeks Between May 1st and September 31st, 2021
  • Stipends range from $4,000-$8,000
  • Students can participate in a research project to develop culturally inclusive spectrum-related Grade 6-12 STEM education materials, a spectrum monitoring citizen science project kit and handbook, or a NRAO Broader Impact Strategy for New Mexico
  • To apply, email Anja Fourie (afourie@nrao.edu) ASAP
  • Applications due March 30, 2021

Full Description and Requirements:

The US National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) designs, constructs and operates state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities in North and South America for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory contributes to the development of a diverse, globally competitive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce through its various broadening participation programs. The NRAO is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

The NRAO is calling for applications from undergraduate or graduate Chicano/Hispanic or Native American students to participate in a virtual paid 10-week research experience under the supervision of the NRAO Project Director: Broader Impact. The research experience is funded through the NSF's Spectrum Innovation Initiative (SII) Program, which aims to promote awareness of the radio spectrum, radio spectrum research, and radio spectrum management. Students can participate in a research project to develop culturally inclusive spectrum-related Grade 6-12 STEM education materials, a spectrum monitoring citizen science project kit and handbook, or a NRAO Broader Impact Strategy for New Mexico. Students must be US citizens, registered for an arts, education or STEM degree at a US institution for higher education, and be able to demonstrate an interest in broader impact. The research experience must be completed over 10 consecutive weeks between 1 May and 31 September 2021, and students are also required to prepare for and write the Certified Associate in Project Management examination before 31 September 2021. Students take part in other activities over the 10 weeks, including a number of professional development and social activities, and financial support is available for students to present their research at the Winter 2022 American Astronomical Society Meeting in January 2022. Stipends range from $4,000-$8,000, will be determined on a case-by-case-basis, and will be communicated in the offer letter from the NRAO.

Students should contact Anja Fourie (afourie@nrao.edu) ASAP for application instructions. Deadline for applications is 30 March 2021.