Research and Study Opportunites


The Arctic Studies Center (National Museum of Natural History) announces internship and volunteer opportunities for students, artists, museum staff and community scholars. These programs are offered in both Anchorage, Alaska and in Washington, D.C. All are offered by competitive application.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Arctic Studies Center
Internships & Volunteer Opportunities
(Washington, D.C.)

ASC Intern Application (PDF file)

Openings for volunteers and/or interns are available primarily to currently enrolled undergraduate, recent college graduates and graduate students. Please inquire. Academic credit may be arranged.

Projects include:

1) Artifact collection return (historic and prehistoric)

2) Graphic design for research reports (illustrations, photography and webpage design)

Deadline: Accepted year-round

For further information and to apply please contact Laura Sharp, Research Assistant, Arctic Studies Center flemingla@si.edu.

ASC Alaska Office
Internship & Volunteer Opportunities
(Anchorage, AK only)

The Alaska Office of the Arctic Studies Center (ASC) is accepting applications for anthropology and archaeology internship positions for the Living Our Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska exhibition at the Anchorage Museum. The 2012 positions available for application are:

Public Programming Intern
Intern will assist ASC staff to organize and present public programs including Alaska Native community workshops, gallery presentations, and artist events.

Duties to include: research and preparation of background cultural information; attending and assisting at events; recording, logging, transcribing and editing discussions; preparing text and images for the Sharing Knowledge web site and Living Our Cultures exhibition interactives; creating online podcasts. Intern will work under the supervision of ASC staff and with Anchorage Museum staff in the Education and Collections departments.

Selection criteria: Advanced undergraduate or graduate-level student. Experience and coursework in anthropology and Indigenous cultures required. Experience working with digital media required.
Position available: Spring, summer and fall.

Documentary Films Intern
Intern will work with ASC staff to produce short topical video documentaries and language education films.
Duties: Participate in design, set-up, filming, editing and production of finished films documenting cultural and linguistic workshops, consultations with elders, artist events, and other research and public programs at the ASC. Assist in film and archival photo research.
Interns will work under the supervision of ASC staff and with Anchorage Museum staff in the Exhibits Media department.

Selection criteria: Graduate student. Video production and editing experience required. Experience and coursework in anthropology and Indigenous cultures preferred.
Position available: Spring and fall.

Education Intern
Intern will work with ASC and Anchorage Museum staff to create educational materials and programming for the Living Our Cultures exhibition.

Duties to include: participating in development meetings; developing and producing gallery activities; contributing to the production and implementation of guides and tours; and conducting evaluations. Interns will work under the supervision of ASC curators and Anchorage Museum staff in the Education department.

Selection criteria: Advance undergraduate or graduate student. Experience and coursework in education and Indigenous cultures required. Experience working with digital media required.
Position available: Spring and fall.

Archaeological Field Assistant
Intern will work with ASC Director Aron Crowell to conduct archaeological and oral historical fieldwork in coastal southern Alaska. Duties include preparation of supplies and equipment; assistance with camp set up and maintenance; excavation, mapping and field recording; archaeological survey; assisting with interviews and community liaison.

Qualifications: Graduate student in anthropology; previous archaeological field experience preferred.
Position available: Summer

Positions are available as:

1. A volunteer position

2. Independent study for university credit (set up with your home institution)

For these two types of internships, please see How to Apply below. Internships usually run 10 to 12 weeks (full time), which can be extended if you are only available for a part-time position. Applications are accepted year-round. Funding is not provided.

3. A formal Smithsonian internship by competitive application
   Please visit the Smithsonian Office of Fellowships http://www.si.edu/ofg/ofgapp.htm for information on fellowships and awards available through the Smithsonian Institution.

How to Apply:
To the email address below, please send:

1. A CV that includes relevant coursework and experience and what computer programs you have experience using.

2. A cover letter stating the internship, position type and dates you are applying for.

For further information, contact:
Dawn Biddison, Assistant Curator Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, Alaska Office 625 C Street Anchorage, AK 99501 Email: BiddisonD@si.edu

Natural History Internship Program
(Washington, D.C. only)

Available to undergraduate or beginning level graduate students and some advanced placement high school students (must be 16 years of age). Placement available in the natural history science units, development and publications (public affairs), scientific illustration and informatics. There are no placements in public education, exhibits design and production or any public programs. No financial assistance or housing provided. Duration: varies with each position. All information and application materials are available on the web at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/other_opps/

Deadline: Applications accepted year-round

Research Training Program (Washington, D.C. only)

Awarded to outstanding undergraduate students from around the world. Features a ten-week curriculum of hypothesis testing research projects in the biological, geological and anthropological sciences plus lectures, workshops, discussions, field trips and more. Award package includes stipend, housing, transportation allowance and research supply budget. All information and application materials available on the web: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/

SMITHSONIAN OFFICE OF FELLOWSHIPS

Native American Awards Program
(Anchorage, AK; Washington, D.C.; New York, NY)

• Visiting Student Awards:
  For currently enrolled, advanced graduate students formally or informally related to a Native American/Alaska Native community. Pursue independent research in association with Smithsonian staff. Stipends and a small research allowance included. A travel allowance may be available. Duration: up to 10 weeks.
• Internship Awards:
  Awarded to undergraduate and graduate Native American students formally or informally related to a Native American community to participate in research or museum activities related to Native American studies. Duration: 10 weeks.
• Community Scholar Awards:
  Available to elders, artists or other individuals who wish to look at collections and pursue independently-designed research projects in association with Smithsonian staff. Projects have included, for example, studies of gutskin garments, Athabascan beadwork and Cup'ik hunting equipment. Stipends and a small research allowance included. A travel allowance may be included. Duration: up to 21 days.

Minority Internship Program
(Anchorage, AK; Washington, D.C.; New York, NY)

Available for students to participate in research or museum-related activities. U.S. minority undergraduate and beginning level graduate students are encouraged to apply. Carries a stipend of $350 per week and travel allowances may be provided. Duration: 10 weeks.

Applications and/or information about the Native American Awards Program and the Minority Internship Program can be found on the website: http://www.si.edu/ofg/

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN

Stipended and Non-Stipended Internships
(Anchorage, AK; Washington, DC; New York, NY)

Available for students to participate in research or museum-related activities. U.S. minority undergraduate and beginning level graduate students encouraged to apply. Stipended internships carry a stipend of $350 per week (up to 10 weeks max); travel allowances may be provided. Non-stipended positions do not have financial assistance. Visit the NMAI website for more information and application materials: www.nmai.si.edu

Deadline: Requests accepted year-round.

Back to About