Ways to become involved
Depending on your age, experience, and the time you can spend with us, there are several ways you can step into the world of a space science researcher and build your skills.
These options represent ways you can get involved with research and related work that is being conducted directly by the PARI team. However, PARI is also a research facilitator, providing instrumentation and infrastructure to independent entities and individual researchers who use PARI as part of their own work. PARI does not solicit assistance with research projects that fall under this category.
If you are a middle school or high school aged student there are three ways you can join PARI in a research experience.
Sign up for one of our research based summer camps where you will learn a space science topic and conduct a small research project modeled after techniques being used in the field today.
Or, ask your school to connect with PARI to plan a custom program with research projects that align with your current studies.
During some of our summer camp programs for middle school aged students, counselor-in-training positions may be available for high school aged students. These positions allow you to spend some of your time assisting with summer camp functions and guiding younger campers through their projects, and some of your time conducting a research project of your own.
PARI does not provide research opportunities to individuals under 18, only through facilitated group programs and experiences.
For students currently enrolled in 2 year, 4 year, or graduate programs, PARI offers research internships in several forms.
Spring and Fall semester internships are available through partnerships
with schools in the immediate region around PARI. Course credits may be
available depending on the specific internship program.
Ask your advisor, major department, or career services or similar office
at your school if such an arrangement can be made.
These internships typically require at least some of the internship
hours to be spent at PARI.
These internships are typically unpaid by PARI, but may be eligible for
a stipend or grant through your school.
Details for these internships will be posted by an applicable body within your school. Or, may be arranged through your school with PARI during the semester prior to the one in which the proposed internship will take place. Contact PARI to make arrangements.
Unpaid summer internships are available to students from any school. In these
internships, an intern will work with PARI staff to design a research project
that meets their interests, aligns with their studies, and is appropriate to
conduct at PARI.
In this type of internship schedules are flexible and can be adjusted to meet
the needs of the intern.
PARI will provide mentorship, workspace, equipment, and resources. On site
housing may be available as well.
Unpaid interns are welcome to seek financial support though their school or
independent grants.
Course credit may be available if appropriate arrangements are made through an
intern's school prior to the start of the internship.
Details for these internships will be posted by an applicable body within your school or on this page. Or, you may Contact PARI to apply no earlier than January of the year the internship.
Paid summer internships are available during summers where funding or sponsorships
are available to support specific research projects. Interns applying for these
positions will have a specific project assigned to them and their schedule may
be less flexible than an unpaid internship.
PARI will provide mentorship, workspace, equipment, resources, and on-site housing.
Course credit may be available if appropriate arrangements are made through an
intern's school prior to the start of the internship.
Details for these internships will be posted by an applicable body within your school or on this page.
Hybrid summer internships are the most popular of our summer options. Interns
spend about half of their time in a research intern role, taking on a
project from a menu of options to conduct. They spend the other half of their
time in a camp counselor role where they assist with summer camp operations,
mentor campers, and lead recreational activities. About two thirds of interns
in this role return for multiple summers!
PARI will provide training, mentorship, workspace, equipment, resources,
on-site housing, and meals.
Course credit may be available if appropriate arrangements are made through an
intern's school prior to the start of the internship.
Details for these internships will be posted on this page. Or, you may Contact PARI to apply no earlier than January of the year the internship.
The majority of PARI's continuous research is based in APDA, the Astronomical Photographic Data Archive. Research volunteers may assist with existing projects within the archive, or begin work on a new one.
Or, see other options for volunteers.
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