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Internship - Unconventional Weapons and Technology (UWT): Next Generation WMD Threat Detection System - 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.

Are you interested in participating in cutting-edge research funded by DARPA, the U.S. Department of Defense agency responsible for developing the Internet, stealth aircraft, GPS, and AI robotics? START’s Unconventional Weapons and Technology (UWT) Division is seeking highly-motivated research interns to assist in helping DARPA develop a holistic platform to detect chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats in urban environments. Interns will utilize an array of research techniques including quantitative methods, adversary modeling, and computer simulations. Responsibilities and duties will include the following:
  • Conducting preliminary analysis of CBRN events using statistical software packages
  • Assisting in the development of mathematical models of adversary behavior
  • Assisting with drafting government reports and briefings for the Department of Defense
  • Data collection on terrorist, insurgent, and criminal organizations 
Supervisor: Thomas Guarrieri (tguar@umd.edu)
Application deadline: Sunday, June 30, 2019, 11:59pm
Required/minimum qualifications (example: number of credit hours, language skills)
  • Exceptional academic achievement
  • Experience with a statistical programming language, such as STATA, Python, or R (or equivalent language)
  • Must be able to dedicate 20 hours per week for the duration of the internship
  • Strong research background, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods
  • Flexibility and ability to multitask
  • Superb writing skills
Preferred/ideal qualifications (example: specific software/database knowledge)
  • Background knowledge of machine learning algorithms and neural networks
  • Experience using softmax functions in mathematical models
  • Understanding of graph theory and subgraph matching
  • Prior knowledge of, and interest in, CBRN weapons
Tentative weekly team meeting day and time: TBD
US citizenship requirement: No
General Information for all START Internships
Location:
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. 
Schedule Requirements:
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.
Other Information:
  • All internships are UNPAID and START is unable to provide travel stipends or housing arrangements.
  • We strongly encourage and recommend that interns seek academic credit for their internship through their home institution or department, if possible.
  • If undertaking the internship for credit, you must indicate this on your application form. Be sure to notify your internship supervisor if you need to work more than 10 hours per work for this reason.
  • Applicants interested in applying for an internship for any semester other than or in addition to fall 2019, must submit a separate application for each semester with the correct application form for that semester.
How to Apply for START Internships:
START is currently accepting applications for both summer and fall 2019 semesters. Please make sure you check the dates for the projects you’re interested in to make sure they’re available during the semester you intend to apply. The summer application form will be open until Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 11:59pm, however has a priority application deadline of Sunday, March 24th. The fall application form will be open until Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 11:59pm, however the priority application deadline will be Sunday, June 16th at 11:59pm. Please make sure to check the application deadline listed in the project description, for a few projects the priority application deadline is the final deadline. To access the application: click here.
Notes:
  • Applicants must pay close attention to the requirements of each internship they are applying for, including attendance to team meetings and minimum time commitment. Inability to attend compulsory meetings or work the minimum required hours will result in the revocation of any offer made.
  • Address your cover letter to the internship supervisor of your first choice project.
  • Failure to complete the application form in full, including the selection of 1-3 internship preferences could result in your application being rejected without further consideration.
  • Failure to submit the proper materials according to the directions provided in the project description could result in your application being rejected without further consideration.
  • Due to the high volume of applicants, only top candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
  • Applicants may be asked to attend more than one interview.
  • Any successful candidate will be asked to respond with a firm acceptance within 48 hours of the offer being made. Failure to respond could result in the vacancy passed to another candidate.
  • Any questions regarding the specific requirements for the internship vacancy should be directed to the supervisor(s) listed for the project.
  • Any questions regarding the application process should be directed to the START Education Team at internships-start@umd.edu.
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:
  • One page cover letter
  • One page resume
  • Official or unofficial transcript(s)
  • Two-page writing sample (Communications applicants must submit two writing samples.)
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.