Dates: June 16 – August 22, 2025

Description:Carnegie Observatories hosts undergraduate students from a variety of schools and programs to take part in their Carnegie Astrophysics Summer Student Internship (CASSI) Program. CASSI is a 10 week, paid internship and educational program based at Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena. We welcome a diverse cohort of 15-18 undergraduates from colleges and universities in California to join Carnegie astronomers in collaborative original research projects.

CASSI interns also participate in an educational program that includes over 60 activities designed to improve students’ fluency and ease with scientific communication and scientific computing. At the end of the summer, nine out of 10 CASSI interns feel more comfortable presenting their research than they did at the start of the program and 10 out of 10 feel more prepared for future work in astronomy.

The program immerses interns in the campus life at the Carnegie Observatories. From scientific talks by Observatories scientists to CASSI group meetings focused on developing an array of skills and discussing a variety of topics related to the professional astronomy community, each week of the program is designed to provide interns with the tools that will set them up for success in the program and beyond.

CASSI features structured mentoring by Carnegie Observatories faculty and postdoctoral fellows, as well as other forms of professional development workshops that are intended to fully support the students throughout the program and in their future careers.

One of the goals of CASSI is to increase participation and retention of under-represented groups in astronomy. We encourage scholars with diverse identities – especially those under-represented in science – to apply. CASSI interns participate in programming highlighting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Astronomy, as well as STEM more generally. The students also organize an annual outreach program for Upward Bound high school students where they share their expertise on college with potential first-generation college students. https://carnegiescience.edu/about/working/interns/cassi

Stipend: Selected students will receive a $7000 stipend for the full 10 weeks. In addition, participants will be provided with a travel reimbursement up to $300 for travel from home or campus to southern California.

Housing: There is an additional stipend to cover the cost of housing

Application: Applications are due January 31, 2025. To apply to the program, go to the Application Home Page. In addition, you must ask two faculty members (or others familiar with your academic or work background) to submit letters of reference. Indicate their names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses in your on-line application where appropriate.