UCI-NCA&T Summer Internship

UCI-NCA&T INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN ENVIRONMENTAL NANOTECHNOLOGY

PROGRAM DATES: June 19th – August 11th, 2023

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 7, 2022

LOCATION: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE (UCI)

The Environmental Chemistry and Technology (EC&T) Lab is offering a new, immersive summer research program to give undergraduate students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T) an opportunity for research experience at UCI.

The paid summer internship will provide on-campus housing, paid travel to and from Irvine, stipends, lab experience, professional development workshops, a paid trip to Disneyland California, and much more!

Our ageing water infrastructure and its poor efficiency for emerging contaminants is creating a need for new water treatment strategies. This residential summer internship program will equip you with knowledge and experience in using engineered nanoparticles as a tool for water treatment to improve water quality. You’ll learn broadly about nanotechnology and its different environmental applications, the properties of engineered nanoparticles that make them ideal for removing different classes of biological and chemical contaminants present in water, advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology compared to conventional water treatment methods, and how to make some engineered nanoparticles for water treatment. You will also learn how to use machine learning for modeling and optimizing treatment systems.

Through the program you will gain a new research experience, build a network within the University of California System, learn how to effectively communicate, prepare for graduate school, and have an opportunity to continue your research upon your return to NCA&T.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS:

  • an 8-week summer research internship at a world-class research institution 4 miles from beaches
  • a stipend of $5,000
  • free on-campus housing and meals
  • paid flight tickets to and from Irvine for the internship
  • mentoring from UCI graduate students and faculty during the summer
  • mentoring from UCI and NCA&T faculty after the summer and an opportunity to continue the research at NCA&T
  • peer-to-peer mentoring
  • workshops focused on effective communication, graduate school, etc.
  • free GRE preparatory course
  • presentation at the UCI Summer Research Program Symposium
  • a paid trip to Disneyland California
  • and more!

ELIGIBILITY

Participants will be selected based on academic preparation, personal statement, interest in doctoral education, as well as interest in water treatment research. Prior research experience is not required.

Minimum requirements include:

  • Must be in your 2nd, 3rd or 4th* year as a full-time undergraduate student in any major at NCA&T. *Note: Graduating 4th year students are not eligible to apply.
  • Be in good academic standing.
  • Be interested in pursuing a doctoral degree after your undergraduate program.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Students can apply using our online form. The following can be prepared prior to starting an application:

  • 300-word responses to each of the following:
    • What do you plan to do with/after your undergraduate education?
    • Describe how this internship will benefit your career plan.
  • A resume or CV
  • Most recent unofficial transcript
  • One letter of recommendation (directly sent to adeyemi.adeleye@uci.edu).

The letter of recommendation should be from one of your professors, academic advisors, or supervisors (either from work or volunteering experiences). It should address the recommender’s relationship to you and should assess your: (1) Critical thinking; (2) Written and oral communication skills; and (3) Leadership potential and teamwork skills.

All application materials must be received by November 7, 2022.

Apply

FAQS

  • Do I need to be available for the entire period of the summer internship to apply? Yes, you need to be available for the entire period of the internship to apply (June 19th – August 11, 2023).
  • How much time do I need to commit to the internship per week? Each intern is required to commit approximately 40 hours per week to research, workshop, and other internship-related activities.
  • Will I be paid the stipend at the beginning or at the end of the internship? Our plan is to provide 50% of the total stipend at the beginning of the program (week 1-2) and the other 50% at the conclusion of the program (week 7-8).
  • I am graduating in Spring 2023, am I qualified to apply? No, you should have a minimum of one year left at NCA&T by the time of the internship.
  • What is considered “good academic standing”? For the purpose of this internship, a student in good academic standing has a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with lower GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • How soon will I know if I am selected? Decision will be reached and communicated by November 21, 2022.
  • Will I be required to take the GRE preparation course? No, students can opt in to the GRE preparation course as part of the program.

FURTHER QUESTIONS?

Contact Professor Adeyemi Adeleye <adeyemi.adeleye@uci.edu>