2023 Robotics Summer Internships
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) Robotics Internship Program offers 10-week, hands-on, practical summer internships at DOE national laboratories.
Why should I apply?
As a participant in the EERE Robotics Internship Program, you will engage in research-level robotics activities under the guidance of a mentor who is a technical staff scientist or engineer at a federal national laboratory. You will gain a competitive edge as you apply your education, talent, and skills to the research and development of projects focused on robotics and advanced manufacturing. You will also be able to establish connections with DOE scientists and subject matter experts that promote long-term relationships between yourself, researchers, and DOE.
What will I do?
Internship activities will vary based on the assigned research project and hosting facility. You can choose the project you are most interested in for the summer! As part of your application, you will identify your top 3 research projects from the 2023 Robotics Project Catalog. You can review the catalog at ***https://orise.orau.gov/AMsummer/robotics/default.html*** by scrolling to the bottom of the webpage. While your preferences will be taken into consideration during the final selection process, it is not guaranteed that you will be offered one of the projects listed.
Benefits
- Stipend: A stipend will be provided based on academic level at the start of your internship appointment.
- High school senior, associates, bachelor's, and post-bachelor's students receive $700 per week
- Master's and post-master's students receive $900 per week
- Doctoral and postdoctoral students receive $1000 per week
- Housing: A housing allowance of $150/week will be provided if eligible. Additional housing stipend may be provided to offset high cost of living in certain locations.
- Training/Research: Up to $250 to offset relevant costs, such as fees for submitting research for publication, access to relevant training, etc.
- Travel: Travel reimbursement for inbound and outbound expenses up to $2,000 for participants who live more than fifty miles, one-way, from the assigned hosting laboratory.
In response to the evolving situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting facilities may modify their operation schedule and access to facilities to ensure the health and safety of their entire workforce while maintaining operational effectiveness. Hence, the appointment date and location are subject to change contingent on hosting facility guidelines and may result in a virtual placement.
Appointment Details
- Appointments will be for 10 consecutive weeks during the months of May – September 2023. Factors such as class schedules, housing availability, and laboratory schedules may be taken into consideration when determining appointment start and end dates.
- An appointment involves a full-time commitment at the host laboratory with the intern in residence on-site at the specified location.
- Interns are required to have health insurance coverage during the appointment period and to provide proof of this coverage prior to the start of the appointment.
In response to the evolving situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting sites may modify their operation schedule and access to facilities to ensure the health and safety of their entire workforce while maintaining operational effectiveness. Hence, the appointment date and location are subject to change contingent on hosting site guidelines and may result in a virtual placement.
Project Assignments
Project assignments will involve technologies used to develop machines that can substitute for humans and replicate human actions automatically. Examples of potential project assignments include:
- Programming for a system that has sensing, acting, and/or communicating.
- Designing and/or fabricating structural aspects of a robotic system or improvements to one.
- Integrating sensors or exploring the integration of sensors to a system so that it can be made more robotic or smart.
- Adding actuation or functional capability to a system so that it can improve its ability level of action.
- Enhancing the human/machine interface to improve the communication with a system employing robotic technologies.
- Designing experiments that involve robotic technologies at some level of sophistication.
- Exploring ways to make traditionally “dumb” systems “more smart” with robotic characteristics (e.g., smart homes, smart buildings, smart products, etc.).
The EERE Robotics Internship Program is sponsored by the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). AMMTO partners with industry, small business, universities, and other stakeholders to identify and invest in emerging technologies with the potential to create high-quality domestic manufacturing jobs and enhance the global competitiveness of the United States. AMMTO establishes collaborative communities focused on developing and commercializing targeted technologies; plays a leadership role in the national interagency Advanced Manufacturing Partnership; and encourages a culture of continuous improvement in corporate energy management.
Review and Selection Process
- Applications will undergo an eligibility and compliance check by ORISE.
- Hosting sites will review applications based on educational background, experience, interests, skills, career goals, and fit for projects.
- Hosting laboratories will submit their recommended candidates to ORISE.
- Final selection will be made by a federal official from EERE.
- EERE will notify ORISE of final selections and ORISE will notify selected candidates and hosting laboratories.
Nature of Appointment
Interns will not enter an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOE, or hosting laboratory. Instead, interns will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.
For more information, contact us at AM.Internships@orise.orau.gov.
The EERE Robotics Internship Program is open to students and recent graduates who meet the following qualifications:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be at least 18 years old by May 1, 2023.
- Meet one of the following conditions:
- High School Senior: Enrolled as a high school senior, expecting to graduate by Summer 2023, and planning to enroll in an undergraduate program for Fall 2023. Proof of acceptance to an accredited U.S. university or community college must be submitted to ORISE at the time the internship is accepted.
- Undergraduate or Graduate Student: Enrolled as a full-time student and pursuing a degree related to robotics, manufacturing, or engineering. Proof of enrollment during Spring 2023 must be submitted to ORISE at the time the internship is accepted.
- Recent graduate: Have earned an associate, undergraduate or graduate degree in the past two years in a field related to robotics, manufacturing, or engineering. Proof of degree must be submitted to ORISE at the time the internship is accepted.
A complete application submitted by Friday, February 10, 2023; 5:00 PM Eastern Time Zone consists of:
- A complete Zintellect Profile.
- Application questions including project preferences. List of available projects can be found at https://orise.orau.gov/AMsummer/robotics/default.html.
- Academic Records: For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Academic records must include the name, logo or other identification of the academic institution, name of the student, completed coursework, and grades.
- A current Curriculum Vitae/Resume.
- One (1) recommendation: Applicants are required to provide contact information for at least one recommendation in order to complete the application. You are encouraged to request a recommendation from a professional who can speak to your abilities and potential for success as well as your scientific capabilities and personal characteristics.
- Recommendation requests must be sent through the Zintellect application system.
- Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect. Letters of recommendation submitted via email will not be accepted.
- Recommendations must be submitted through Zintellect by Friday, February 10, 2023; 5:00 PM Eastern Time Zone.
Submitted documents must have all social numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, security blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.
For additional information or questions, feel free to contact us at AM.Internships@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code [EERE-Robotics-2023] for this opportunity in the subject line of your email.
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- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: High School Diploma/GED, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 months or currently pursuing.
- Discipline(s):
- Age: Must be 18 years old by 5/1/2023
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