Systems Teaching Institute
Summer 2007 Graduate Student Internship Program
The Program:
The Systems Teaching Institute (STI) is offering a 10-12 week summer research program 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 10-20 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 UARC research at NASA Ames can be obtained here.
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 (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) and/or articulation of:
- 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. There are two major categories of work for which an international student may qualify: 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 International Student Advisor
- Optional Practical Training: 12 months authorized by USCIS per degree level
The Curricular Practical Training requires that you receive academic credit for your internship at your home institution. More detailed information can be found at the San Jose State University International Programs and Services department.
We highly recommend 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 (below).
Pay/Salary:
Students will receive $15- $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, 2007.
The STI cannot, at this time, offer any stipend for travel or lodging.
Application:
A completed application consists of:
- Official academic transcripts or letter of acceptance from your graduate institution,
- Official academic transcripts from your undergraduate institution (for students beginning their graduate studies in the fall of 2007),
- A completed application form.
- One letter of recommendation from a professor or research advisor, and
- A cover letter that includes a description of your career goals, interests, and/or special skills.
**Foreign National on F-1 Visa includes the I-20.
Application Deadline:
US Citizens:
All materials (except transcripts) should be postmarked on or before March 20, 2007. Official transcripts must be received by March 31, 2006. The Systems Teaching Institute will make selections and send out notification letters to all applicants on or before April 30, 2007.Foreign Nationals:
To ensure full consideration all materials (except transcripts) should be postmarked on or before February 20, 2007. Official transcripts must be received by March 31, 2007. The Systems Teaching Institute will make selections and send out notification letters to all applicants on or before April 30, 2007.The earlier application deadline for foreign nationals is required in order to allow sufficient time to process the security paperwork required by NASA Ames Research Center.
Please note that students with F-1 status will be required to furnish an I-20 form signed by your home institution before employment can be secured. Please be prepared to furnish this paperwork immediately after submission of your application. Contact the International services department at your home institution for more information.
Send applications to:
UARC Systems Teaching Institute
NASA Ames Research Center
MS: 19-26
Building 19
Moffett Field, CA 94035
Attn: STI Graduate Student Program
Contact Information:
For further information about the program, contact Dr. Natalie Batalha at nbatalha@science.sjsu.edu Or Amy Gilbert at amy.gilbert@adm.ucsc.edu
Potential Research Projects
Nanotechnology:
- Advanced Aerospace Materials and Devices (AAMD)
- Chemical sensors to detect gases
- Biosensors that handle liquid samples
- Scientific instrumentation based on carbon nanotubes (CNT)
- Radiation hardened devices: nanophotonics
- Multifunctional thermal protection materials
Biotechnology:
- Technology for Human Space Exploration (T4HSE)
- Technology development to monitor astronaut health
- Fundamental space biology (e.g. gene expression and cell functions in space environment; microgravity)
- Biological Instrumentation (biophotonics, biotelemetry, microfluidic devices, omnidirectional sensors)
- Habitat and Life Support Subsystems
- Astrobionics
Information Sciences:
- Integrated System Health Management (ISHM): automated diagnosis and recovery of space systems; fault detection
- Machine Learning in Complex Systems: modeling the performance of complex systems; designing decision-making algorithms
- Speech Recognition: dialogue modeling and speech synthesis for human interaction with complex control systems; semantics-based information management
Aerospace Systems:
- Air Traffic Management: automated operations and management systems, interfaces, and procedures
- Cockpit systems, interfaces, and procedures
- Human Factors: their effect on aerospace operations and error mitigation
- Hazardous environment characterization, detection, and avoidance systems
- Software: design and development
Earth Sciences:
- The Airborne Science and Technology Laboratory
- Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems
- Atmospheric Composition
- Climate Variability
- Weather
- Earth Surface and Interior (Geology)
- Water and Energy Cycle
- LiDAR Applications
