2022 Robotics Summer Internships
Click on Apply to start your application.
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 perform 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 research and development 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 Be Doing?
Internship activities will vary based on the assigned research project and hosting facility. You have the opportunity to choose the project you're most interested in for the summer! As part of your application, you will identify your top 3 research projects from the 2022 Robotics Project Catalog. You can review the catalog here: ***https://orise.orau.gov/AMOsummer/robotics/default.html*** The project catalog will be updated on an ongoing basis throughout the application period. All available projects will be listed no later than 2 weeks prior to the close of the application period.
Benefits
- Stipend: A stipend will be provided based on academic level at the start of your internship appointment.
- High school senior, associates, undergraduate students and post-bachelors receive $700 per week
- Masters students and post-masters receive $900 per week
- Doctoral students and postdoctoral receive $1000 per week
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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. i.e. smart homes, smart buildings, smart products, etc.
The EERE Robotics Internship Program is sponsored by the Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO). AMO 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. AMO 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
- 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.
- Selected applications will undergo an eligibility and compliance check by 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 into 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 AMO.Internships@orise.orau.gov.
The EERE Robotics Internship Program is open to all students and recent graduates who meet the following qualifications:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be at least 18 years old by May 1, 2022.
- Meet one of the following conditions:
- 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.
- Student: Be enrolled as a full-time student pursuing a degree related to robotics, manufacturing, or engineering. Proof of enrollment during spring 2022 must be submitted to ORISE at the time the internship is accepted.
- High School Senior: Be enrolled as a high school senior expected to graduate by summer 2022 and planning to be enrolled in an undergraduate program for fall 2022. Proof of acceptance to an accredited U.S. university or community college must be submitted to ORISE at the time the internship is accepted.
A complete application consists of:
- Zintellect Profile
- Application questions including project preferences. List of available projects can be found at https://orise.orau.gov/AMOsummer/robotics/default.html.
- Transcripts/Academic records - Unofficial transcripts or copies of academic record may be submitted. Documentation must include name of the academic institution, name of the student, completed coursework and grades.
- A current resume/Curriculum Vitae
- 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. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted. Recommendation must be submitted through Zintellect by Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone.
Submitted documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.
For more information or questions, contact us at AMO.Internships@orise.orau.gov.
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
- 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 5/1/2022
ORISE GO
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
