mountain profile Institute for Astronomy University of Hawaii

Research Experiences for Undergraduates

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The Institute for Astronomy (IfA) of the University of Hawai`i (UH) at Manoa expects to offer as many as ten research assistant positions for the summer of 2012. These positions are funded through the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program and are meant for US citizens and permanent residents. 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's office building on O`ahu, REU students may also participate in an observing run on one of the telescopes at the Maunakea (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 Hawai`i are provided. Housing will be provided near the main office building on O`ahu.

Financial support is available for REU students to present their summer research at a meeting of a professional society such as the American Astronomical Society, generally at the winter meeting following their appointment.

The application for 2012 will be available online by December 31, 2011. The deadline for receipt of the application form and at least two letters of recommendation is February 1, 2012. Offers of appointment will begin on March 1, 2012. More information can be found by following the FAQ link.

Making Your Summer Research Internship a Good One