National Radio Astronomy Observatory Summer Student Research Assistantships

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by scientists from around the world. We are also involved in cutting edge astronomical research, and in the design, development and manufacture of radio astronomy instrumentation and telescopes. The NRAO has facilities for radio astronomical research in New Mexico, Virginia, and West Virginia. The GBO, part of NRAO, is located in Green Bank, West Virginia and is the site of the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT), the world’s largest fully steerable single aperture telescope.

The NRAO has conducted a summer student research program since 1959. Each NRAO/GBO summer student conducts research under the supervision of an NRAO or GBO staff member at one of three sites (Socorro, New Mexico; Green Bank, West Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia), on a project in the supervisor’s area of expertise. The project may involve any aspect of astronomy, including original astronomy research, instrumentation, telescope design, astronomical site evaluation or astronomical software development. Supervisors choose their own student candidates from all applications received, and the site to which a summer student is assigned depends on the location of the supervisor who chose them.

The program runs from 10-12 weeks over the summer, from late May to mid-August. At the end of the summer, participants present their research results as a short talk and submit a written report. Often, these projects result in publications in scientific journals. Financial support is often available for students to present their summer research at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, generally at the winter meeting following their appointment.

The programs are aimed at students who are interested in astronomy and have a background in astronomy, physics, engineering, computer science, and/or math. The Graduate Summer Student Research program is for graduate students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States, enrolled in an accredited U.S. Graduate Program, or otherwise eligible to work in the United States.