DINOSIP provides undergraduate students the opportunities to experience and conduct research, participate in professional development, build community with young scientists, and learn to navigate a career in maritime and oceanographic science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields. The internship is hosted by APL-UW, beginning 18 June and running through 18 August 2023. Interns receive a stipend of $6000, housing, and limited travel expenses.

Application deadline: 31 March 2023 ::: Applicants will be notified of decisions by the last week of April 2023

Questions? contact dinosip@uw.edu or check out the Questions/Answers at the bottom of this page.

APL-UW conducts research in many fields: oceanography and polar science, ocean observations, ocean acoustics, software and environmental engineering, data analysis and signal processing, oceanographic sensors, and autonomous underwater vehicles.

DINO internships are awarded to undergraduates who are currently registered at universities, community colleges, and technical schools. Graduating seniors are also eligible to apply. All projects are matched to the student's level of experience. By the start of the intership, students will need to have completed one year at their institution, have one term of pre-calculus (or equivalent), and have one term of a basic science or engineering course. Experience in a lab-based course or with computational software (like Excel, Matlab, Python, R, etc.) is helpful, but not required.

Applicants may be studying any STEM field, but must have an interest in ocean sciences and other types of research conducted at APL-UW. Members of historically underrepresented groups — including, but not limited to African-, Hispanic- and Native-Americans, Pacific Islanders, first generation, LGBTQ+, military veterans and families, and disabled persons — in STEM fields are highly encouraged to apply.

Falling short of prerequisites will not necessarily result in rejection, so all are encouraged to apply if this program is of great interest to you.

The following documents are required and must be submitted through HANDSHAKE.

Is it required to have a Ph.D. to be an APL-UW scientist or researcher?
No, the level of education of APL-UW engineers, technicians, and researchers have varies.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?
No, but you do need permission to attend school or work in the U.S. because we cannot sponsor students at this time.

Can this internship lead to other opportunities at APL-UW?
Yes, you will be exposed to different researchers, scientists, and technicians at APL-UW that may have future opportunities for you. This may also be how you decide where to go to graduate school or apply for future job opportunities. This is a great way to network and learn about different career options as well.

Do I need to fill out my Handshake profile?
It is recommended that you create a profile since this will be the main way you will be able to locate the application. However, the application documents you upload are the most important part.

Is there any specific order you would like the merged PDF?
No, as long as you have all four parts (your question answers, your recommender's survey, unofficial transcripts, and your resume/CV).

If I’m having trouble with Handshake, can I submit my application through direct email? If so, how do you prefer to receive it?
If you need to submit your application through email because Handshake is not working for you, please combine all your application materials into 1 PDF file and submit at dinosip@uw.edu. If you need a copy of the requirements, please email and ask us for a copy.

What are you looking for in your applicants?
We ask that you be interested in oceanography, which is a broad area of research, be curious about the natural world around you, and have a willingness to learn from your mistakes.

If my background is in biology, will there be a project for me?
Yes, APL-UW conducts a variety of research, including using physical applications in the ocean to track living organisms.

If I'm transitioning from community college to university, am I eligible?
Yes, as long as you are enrolled in an institution or within a year from graduating, you are eligible.

Will I pay tuition for the seminar summer course?
Yes, DINO SIP will cover the cost of your tuition for the summer course you will be enrolled in through this program. However, please let us know if you receive financial assistance throughout the rest of the year if you are a UW student because this may impact the rest of the year’s amount you are eligible to receive. We can make sure it does not impact you, but you need to let us know ahead of time. If you are not a UW student, this is not a concern for you.

Where should we express our preferences and things we want you to know about us in the application?
Please express any specific interests you have in the first application question.

For the recommender survey, should it be in total <300 words total or <300 words per question?
The answers should be 300 words or less per question.

If I live in Seattle, do I need to live in the dorms provided?
No, you do not, and if you use public transportation, a U-PASS is available for purchase.

Do I have to complete the summer course at UW?
Yes, you will be enrolled in a URP seminar course along with others completing internships at UW. This credit should be transferable to your home institution.

What will day to day look like?
This depends on your project and mentor. Some may have more field or lab work than others while others projects may be more technical or focused on data processing. However, our programming includes opportunities to experience field work and hands-on laboratories.

What is the time commitment?
You will be expected to complete a standard 40 hour work week, except on holidays. We highly recommend that your focus is solely on this program since you will be required to: (1) Write an abstract and present your research project at the end of the summer, (2) Complete the URP summer seminar course, (3) Complete DINO SIP programming, including professional development, lab and field days, and assisting others in your cohort.

Are we working toward a main goal at the end of the summer?
Yes, you will present your research at the UW URP Symposium along with an abstract submitted earlier in the summer and a short write up of your project.

Are there any preparations I should do before I begin my project?
You can if you'd like, but it is more important that you come refreshed and ready to hit the ground running since there will be a lot you have to learn over the summer. Your mentor and DINO SIP program coordinator will assist you every step of the way.

What kind of careers are available?
There are many oceanographic careers available to you!

How many mentors are there and how will I get my mentor?
There are enough mentors for each student to be paired with their own mentor, unless you have co-mentors. Most mentors will only have 1 student and the match depends on your interests and their projects. However, if you and your mentor(s) meet during orientation and decide it is not a good fit, we will rematch you with a project and mentor that is better suited for you.

How many students can one mentor have?
Each mentor will have at least one student, but there may be some mentors who overlap and co-mentor a participant.