NASA Internship

MACES (Merced nAnomaterials Center for Energy and Sensing) serves as a nexus for UC Merced nanomaterials-based research and education. The Center promotes innovative and collaborative research in functional nanomaterials for energy and sensing for NASA missions, while simultaneously addressing terrestrial needs for disease diagnosis and for clean and renewable energy. The Center is also promoting collaboration with NASA. As a part of the Center’s missions, MACES will nominate 7-10 students to participate in a 10-week, full-time, summer research experience at one of the NASA Centers including NASA-Ames, NASA-Glenn, NASA-Langley and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Synopsis: Students will carry out their research over a 10-week summer internship under the guidance of designated NASA mentors. Student will learn important scientific skills and apply their training and their talent to tackle technological challenges in aeronautics and space missions. This is an important stepping stone for pursuing future careers at NASA. At the conclusion of the program, students will be required to submit a technical paper and/or give an oral presentation at a symposium modeled on a professional technical meeting at NASA. We are accepting application from Nov12th to Dec 30th.

For more information, please visit OSSI

Requirements:

 

  • GPA > 3.0
  • US Citizen only
  • Research experience in nanomaterials for energy or sensing is highly desired
  • Students from traditionally under-represented groups are encouraged to apply

Responsibilities:

 

  • Submit biweekly timesheet to MACES
  • Attend all activities of the NASA internship program, including orientation, safety training, seminars, workshops, as well a poster session
  • Conduct research according to a work schedule that your NASA mentor provides
  • Complete a survey administered by MACES

Stipend: $7,300 for undergraduate students; $9,000 for graduate students

Timelines: Application deadline: November 28, 2019 (JPL) and December 30, 2019 (other NASA Centers) The successful applicant will be notified to submit a formal application through the NASA internship website

Application Guidelines: All required documents should be combined into a single PDF document and name the file as “Last name-first initial-SummerIntern.pdf”. Please send your application package to maces@ucmerced.edu

 

  • Unofficial transcripts
  • CV
  • Faculty advisor’s recommendation letter indicating his/her support of your NASA internship application (MACES faculty preferred)
  • 1-page statement that contains research interests/accomplishments and describe how an opportunity at NASA fits in with your interests

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Applicant qualifications including academic preparation, research skills, contribution to diversification of NASA workforce
  • Alignment with NASA missions and mentors’ interests

Center Mission

Our research, undergraduate, and graduate training and educational outreach programs are carefully designed to mirror NASA MIRO objectives. Our goals include:

  • Enhancing the scientific environment at UC Merced by recruiting and retaining high-caliber faculty and promising graduate students, as well as building facilities for materials science research facilities.

  • Impacting education at UC Merced and beyond by inspiring and training a new generation of STEM workers in a multidisciplinary materials research environment—particularly underrepresented and underprivileged students.

  • Driving research at UC Merced by promoting innovative and collaborative research in functional nanomaterials for energy and sensing for NASA missions and for needs here on Earth.