Doane Observatory Undergraduate Student Resea

Doane Observatory Undergraduate Student Research Intern

Part-time Temporary

About The Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium connects people to the universe and each other. Whether introducing a guest to the Ring Nebula, a neighborhood school to a community partner, a research team to a network of citizen scientists, or one staff member to another, Adler's focus on meaningful connections dates back nearly a century.

Today, the museum typically hosts more than half a million visitors annually and reaches millions more through youth STEAM programs, neighborhood skywatching events, online citizen science, and other outreach efforts. With Adler's support, people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities gain the confidence to explore their universe together and return to their communities, ready to think critically and creatively about any challenge that comes their way.

The Position

The Adler Planetarium Is Seeking Two (2) Doane Observatory Undergraduate Research Interns To Join Our Dynamic Team On Chicago's Museum Campus. The Interns Will Learn How To Operate The Adler Planetarium's 0.6-meter Telescope In The Doane Observatory And Research Asteroids And Exoplanets In Collaboration With The Adler's Research Team. They Will Be Responsible For:

• Expanding astronomical knowledge through hands-on learning experiences and projects.
• Using the Doane Observatory to capture images of astrophysical objects.
• Analyzing data and documenting results.
• Engaging in strategic planning discussions with the Doane Research Team.
• Communicating consistently and effectively with staff and peers about project progress and challenges.
  
  

The Work Schedule

The typical work schedule for this position is 21 hours per week for 6 weeks. Program dates/times:

Week 1: June 30 - July 2

Week 2: July 8 - July 10

Week 3: July 15 - July 17

Week 4: July 22 - July 24

Week 5: July 29 - July 31

Week 6: August 5 - August 7

Notes:

• Week 1 days will be Monday-Wednesday. All other internship weeks will be Tuesday-Thursday.
• Weeks 1, 4, 5, and 6 will consist of daytime work hours, from approx-9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Weeks 2 and 3 will involve imaging and data collection activities with the Doane Observatory telescope and will consist of evening work hours, from approx. 4:30 PM to 1:00 AM, depending on weather conditions. Interns are expected to adjust their hours in response to staff-determined weather forecasts during these weeks.
• All work will be carried out onsite at the Adler Planetarium.
  
  

The Compensation & Benefits (Part-Time)

Base Pay Range: $17.61/hr

Work-Life Balance

• 7 to 25-hour workweek
• Eligible to accrue up to 6 vacation days per year
• 3 sick days as of date of hire (can accrue up to 6.5 days per year)
• Eligible to earn time and a half for working on any of the 7 Adler observed holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• Paid Family Bereavement Leave & Jury Duty
• Paid Parental Leave
  
  

Commuter flexible spending account

Retirement Savings Plan

• 403B plan with Adler match
• Adler match is 100% vested immediately
• Eligible to enroll as of the date of hire
  
  

Network of Support through our EAP programs

• Resources to help address emotional, legal, and financial issues
• Face-to-face, telephonic, and web-based services
• Free subscription to the Calm Premium app
  
  

Employee Loan Program

Discounted Onsite Parking Program

Free Entrance to Chicago area museums and cultural institutions

The Person

We are seeking undergraduate students who are excited to apply their skills and creativity to explore the wonders of our Universe. We value strong communication skills, a collaborative team spirit, and a passion for learning.

Notes:

• All applicants must either be U.S. citizens or have already been authorized to work in the U.S.
• Employer-provided housing and transportation are not offered for this position.
• Visa application support and visa sponsorship are not provided for this position.
• On late-evening shift dates, interns must provide their transportation off campus. Observations often extend past the last bus from Adler and the last Metra trains to the suburbs
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at a 2-year community college or a 4-year college or university
• Completed at least one algebra course.
• Comfort with computers, including computer file systems and file organization, Google Suite, text processing, presentation slide editing, and spreadsheets.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications: (note: we strongly encourage all interested candidates to apply, even if you may not meet all of the following criteria):

• Majoring in a STEM field or education
• Some college-level coursework in math, physics, computer coding, or astronomy
• Some exposure to computer coding.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have completed no more than one prior college-level internship experience.
  
  

Application Requirements:

Submit/attach the following with your application:

• Your Resume
• A document with responses to all of the following:
• Describe your previous experience with and/or classes taken in the following subject areas (1 paragraph each):
• astronomy
• computer file systems & file organization, Google Suite, text processing, presentation slide editing, and spreadsheets
• computer coding/programming, especially Python
• Describe how this internship experience fits your broader educational goals. (1 paragraph)
• Answer Yes/No: Can you work late hours at the Adler (4:30 pm to ~1:00 am) from Tuesday through Thursday, July 8-10, and July 15-17, 2025?
• Answer Yes/No: Can you arrange your Transportation to/from the Adler Planetarium on our late-night research evenings?
  
  

(Note: Late-evening observation sessions usually extend past the last bus from the Adler and the last Metra trains to the suburbs.)

The application submission deadline is February 27, 2025. Applicants will be notified of acceptance or decline by no later than April 15, 2025.

The Adler Planetarium is dedicated to complying with its Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer obligations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email the Human Resources Department at recruiting@adlerplanetarium.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.