Co-op and Graduate Research Program

Co-op Program

The NRAO Co-op Program provides opportunities for undergraduate students in engineering, applied physics, or computer science to enrich their classroom learning experience by working closely with NRAO technical staff on projects at the technological forefront in radio astronomy instrumentation. Students in this program will work under the supervision of an NRAO staff advisor in one or more areas of: radio-astronomical research, instrument design, development, fabrication and testing; or scientific programming, digital instrumentation and/or analysis.

Full-time students who have registered in the Cooperative Education Program at a participating university can be funded to work at the NRAO as Co-op students for up to three semesters after completing at least 30 semester hours of college credit. Participants must maintain full-time status in a major that permits a cooperative work program, must have earned at least a 2.8 grade point average, and must be U.S. citizens or have authorization to work in the U.S.  Co-op candidates normally work at the NRAO for one to three semesters at any point in their undergraduate student career.

Please follow this page for the announcement and deadlines for future opportunities.

Further information about this program can be obtained by contacting:

Jim Braatz
E-mail: jbraatz@nrao.edu

 

Graduate Student Researcher Program

The NRAO Graduate Student Researcher Program is intended for students who are in the early years of a graduate program at their university -- most often in their first or second year of graduate studies -- and who are interested in pursuing research in radio astronomy with an NRAO scientific or engineering staff member.  Areas of research include instrumentation development for radio astronomy, areas of electrical engineering or computer science that are closely related to radio astronomy observing techniques, radio astronomy science, and data analysis.

Travel support and housing assistance may be available to support student visits.  Students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States may be eligible to receive a stipend.  Appointments to this program may be made for a duration ranging from a few weeks up to six months.  Graduate students at all levels in engineering, astronomy, physics, mathematics, and computer science are eligible for the program.

Students interested in pursuing graduate research positions should first contact an NRAO scientist or engineer to discuss possible projects. See the NRAO Scientific Staff listing for general information regarding staff research areas and contact information. Graduate Researcher appointments are considered on a rolling basis, and there is no formal application.  Students interested primarily in summer placements should apply initially to the NRAO Graduate Summer Student Research Assistantship program by its deadline.

Further information about this program can be obtained by contacting:

Jim Braatz
E-mail: jbraatz@nrao.edu

Connect with NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.