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Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)
647 Contees Wharf Road
Edgewater, MD 21037
Contact: Kim Sproat, Fellowship Coordinator
phone: (443) 482-2217
fax: (443) 482-2380
e-mail: sproatk@si.edu
website: http://www.serc.si.edu/pro_training/
Projects include terrestrial, atmospheric, and estuarine environmental research within the disciplines of ecology, biology, chemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, mathematics, and physics. Projects are also offered in environmental education. Although students will become familiar with all the research being conducted by a particular staff member and with much of the research of SERC in general, individuals will devote most of their time to a project and content area of particular interest to them. Students will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge in a selected field of study and to learn a variety of research techniques through firsthand experience. At the conclusion of the internship, student participants will be expected to present the findings of their independent projects in a formal seminar to the SERC community.
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center will consider applications from currently enrolled undergraduate and beginning graduate students, or students who have recently graduated from an undergraduate or Masters program. Applicants must be in a position to commit fully to the completion of a project. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement to participate in this program.
Selection is based upon the student's academic credentials, extent of relevant training or experience, letters of recommendation, and the congruence of the student's expressed goals with those of the internship program. The Smithsonian does not discriminate on grounds of race, creed, sex, age, marital status, handicap, or national origin of any applicant.
The specific dates and duration of the internship appointment are arranged between the supervisor and the student. However, internship appointments are generally fulltime (40 hours per week), 10 to 16 weeks in length, and coincide with the usual academic semesters and summer terms.
Selected candidates will receive a stipend of $400.00 per week. Limited on-site dormitory space may be available for $75.00 per week. SERC does not supply board, although cooking facilities and utensils are available. SERC is located in a semi-rural area seven miles south of the nearest public transportation lines, therefore it is strongly recommended to bring a vehicle for personal transportation, if possible. References may also be available for room rentals in the local area; personal transportation would be necessary for this option.
