Internship - Optimizing language training through learner profiles - Fall 2019

*Please note, you cannot submit an application through Handshake. You must apply via the application on START's website found here: https://www.start.umd.edu/careers/internships. If you submit your application via handshake, your application will not be considered.

The University of Maryland Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) is a sibling unit to the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START). ARLIS conducts research related to national security for the Department of Defense in the areas of human and social systems (including culture, language, and communication); artificial intelligence and human-system integration; and information engineering and advanced computing.

 

ARLIS (formerly the Center for Advanced Study of Language) has developed the High-Level Language Aptitude Battery (Hi-LAB) to better identify high-potential language learners and to develop an optimum learning model for adult language learners. The Hi-LAB language aptitude profiles describe the individual’s strengths and weaknesses on a range of cognitive and perceptual abilities relevant to language learning. This project involves the administration of the Hi-LAB to professional language learners, producing the aptitude profiles, and conducting learner consultation during which ARLIS experts review and discuss with the individual their language aptitude profile.

 

This project, “Optimizing language training through learner profiles”, is seeking one intern for summer 2019. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting literature reviews, reading relevant literature;

• Assisting with scoring Hi-LAB tests; and

• Implementing improvements to the scoring procedure.

 

Supervisor: Meredith Hughes (mmislevy@umd.edu)

Deadline: Sunday, July 7, 2019; 11:59 pm

US Citizenship Required: Yes

Team Meeting Times: Flexible

Work Location: UMD Patapsco Building (near the College Park Metro station)

 

• Strong skills in using R for data analysis;

• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills;

• Record of strong academic achievement;

• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills;

• Experience or interest in psychometrics; 

• Experience in conducting literature reviews; and

• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel.

 

• Experience using LaTeX; and

• Experience using version-control systems (e.g., Git).

START Headquarters is located in the Discovery District in College Park, MD. Our exact address will be provided upon being invited for an interview. All internship hours must be completed at this office unless otherwise specified. Working remotely is not permitted. 

Orientation Date: Thursday, August 22, 2019. All interns are required to attend orientation. You may be required to attend an additional day of orientation on Friday, August 23, 2019. Your supervisor will inform you if you are required to attend both days.

Internship Duration: Thursday, August 22, 2019 to Friday, December 6, 2019. All interns must be able to commit to the duration of the whole program.

Work Hours: All interns must work at least 10 hours per week during the fall 2019 program. Work hours are scheduled from Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. Interns may not work longer than 8-hour shifts.

How to Apply for START Internships:

START is currently accepting applications for the fall 2019 semester, the application deadline has been extended to Sunday, July 7th. To access the application: click here.

Notes:

Application Materials:

All internship applicants must submit all materials in one .pdf file using the file name format:

LastName, FirstName_InternCandidate.pdf or .doc.

 The internship application packet should include the following documents in the following order:

Note for International Students:

START welcomes applications from international students for all of our internships where US citizenship is not a requirement (see the qualifications listed for each project for details).

It is, however, the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their visa or immigration status permits them to undertake an unpaid internship. It is also the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all proper paperwork, like documented approval from your home institution, is available and processed in time for the start of the internship. Failure to comply with these stipulations, or provide the paperwork required to verify your status, will result in your internship offer being rescinded without further consideration. START is unable to sponsor visas for non-US Citizens due to the short timeline of our program and the lengthy processing time for visas. Unfortunately, this largely limits our ability to accept anything other than F-1 visas on regular, not OPT, status.

START recognizes and abides by the Department of Labor regulations regarding unpaid internships. Not only does START encourage students to seek college credit for their internships, but START ensures that the internship experience is exceptional. START interns make a positive contribution to vital, real-world research that directly supports the work of policy makers and other shareholders. START interns do not perform administrative tasks - they work alongside our researchers and receive mentorship and guidance. START interns are also able to participate in an enrichment program throughout the semester with roughly 2-3 training sessions, lectures, book talks, career profile sessions, or research round table events per week. More information on the Department of Labor regulations can be found here: https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.htm.