Research Experiences for Undergraduates

The Institute for Astronomy (IfA) of the University of Hawaii (UH) at Manoa expects to offer eight research assistant positions for the summer of 2008. These positions are funded through the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program. This REU program will provide undergraduates who are considering a career in science with the opportunity to engage in research with professional astronomers working on cutting-edge problems in astrophysics. The REU students will be full-time research assistants to a faculty mentor at the Institute and will work on specific aspects of an ongoing research program.

Astronomers at the IfA conduct research in a wide range of astrophysical disciplines, including solar physics, planetary astronomy, astrobiology, stars, the interstellar medium and star formation, the formation and evolution of galaxies, and cosmology. There are also programs in technology involved in the development of new telescopes, new instruments, and adaptive optics. Further details are available at the IfA research page. In addition to carrying out their research at the IfA on Oahu, REU students will also participate in an observing run on one of the telescopes at the Mauna Kea (Big Island) or Haleakala (Maui) observatories. There is also a weekly seminar series given by the faculty, a weekly luncheon with the graduate students, and several social events and excursions. The positions are full-time for 10 weeks between late May and early August. A stipend of $450 per week and support to cover travel to and from Honolulu are provided. Housing will be provided in dormitories on the UH campus. Financial support is available for REU students to present their summer research at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, generally at the winter meeting following their appointment.

We also offer an REU placement to a foreign student (either in a US uniersity or abroad). The position is in the field of solar astronomy and will be directed by Dr. Ilia Roussev. The application process is the same in all other respects.

There were nine available positions this summer. All applicants should now have received an email regarding their status. Thank you for your interest in astronomy at the University of Hawaii.