The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) is a joint institution connecting the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and the Harvard College Observatory (HCO). The CfA is a diverse astrophysical institution at which more than 800 staff and students are engaged in a broad program of research and education in astronomy, astrophysics, and Earth and space sciences. The CfA is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. Our research covers theoretical astrophysics, observational ground and space-based astronomy, engineering and technology development, and education. The research objectives of the CfA are carried out primarily with the support of government, Smithsonian Institution, and Harvard funds, with additional philanthropic support. At the CfA, the next generation of scientific leaders are being trained and mentored through a broad range of undergraduate and graduate student programs, postdoctoral positions and fellowships.

The Science Explorer (SciX) is a NASA-funded digital library serving astronomy, planetary science, heliophysics, Earth science, and the biological and physical sciences. It is based on the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) that has served the astronomy community for more than 30 years. SciX indexes more than 36 million scientific documents, including journal articles, conference abstracts, dissertations, technical reports, datasets, and software. SciX visualizations map connections among authors and concepts to reveal effective collaborations, influential works, and emerging trends. Advanced SciX functions suggest review articles, trending papers, and similar research that are essential to researchers following rapidly evolving areas. In addition, robust citation metrics in SciX track research impact and pinpoint key papers. Users expedite drafting articles, proposals, CVs, and literature reviews by using custom, exportable SciX libraries.

Harvard Plate Stacks holds the astronomical photographic glass plate collection of the Harvard College Observatory, the largest such archive in the world. Begun in the late 19th century, more than 550,000 glass plate negatives and spectral images, covering both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, record irreplaceable scientific observations collected over a century, creating the first complete image of the visible Universe. Hundreds of women have worked in the Harvard Plate Stacks, as computers, as curators, as astronomers.   

Through generous financial support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, SciX and the Harvard Plate Stacks are developing digital profiles of Women Astronomical Computers and other early women scientists whose publications, notebooks, or data are indexed in SciX. Such profiles will serve as prototypes for author profiles in SciX more generally. The initial step towards these goals are collecting their individual works into curated, public bibliographies. 

Undergraduate students are invited to apply for a 180-hour internship supporting this effort to make the scientific work of 19th and early 20th century women more findable and accessible while exploring astronomy, open science, information science, history of astronomy, women’s history, open science, and machine learning. Students will work alongside SciX project scientist for astrophysics and Harvard Plate Stacks curator while having access to SciX curators, librarians, and developers.  

Interns are expected to work at the Center for Astrophysics (Cambridge, MA). Work is expected to begin in October, pending completion of all necessary Smithsonian requirements, and should conclude by the end of the year. Additional follow-on/continuation opportunities may be available in the Spring for those who complete this internship satisfactorily. 

Review of applications will begin following the deadline and will roll until all positions are filled.

Application Materials:

• personal statement, maximum 2 pages

• unofficial copy of transcript(s)

• At least 1 and no more than 2 letters of recommendation

• CV

Some Instructions Regarding Letters of Recommendation:

The letters of recommendation are essential elements of your application. Make sure that you ask your recommenders long enough in advance of the deadline that they have adequate time to write your letters and submit them. Double-check your recommender’s contact information for accuracy. They will be contacted using the email address you enter, exactly as you enter it.

Instructions Regarding Transcripts:

• Make sure that your name appears on each transcript.

• Black out your SSN, date of birth, and address.

• IMPORTANT: Save all transcripts to a single PDF file.

Instructions Regarding the Essay:

• The essay is to be a maximum of two pages in 12-point font, saved as a PDF.

• Your name should appear at the top of each page (in the margin is OK).

• Explain what aspects of this project interest you and any relevant experience you might have.

Important notes:

Our interns will receive a stipend. This project received financial support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum: Internship stipend has been funded by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.

Program questions contact details:

Paul Di Re

paul.di_re@cfa.harvard.edu

Internship questions contact details:

Iuliana Banks 

iuliana.banks@cfa.harvard.edu