Summer Research Assistant Intern

University of New Hampshire • Keene, NH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This Summer Research Assistant Intern (SRAI) position allows local high school students to gain exposure to academic research in a supervised laboratory setting. Trainees will join the research team within the Department of Computer Science, which focuses on cybersecurity and biomedical computing, particularly in areas supported by NIH funding. The position is designed to offer valuable early insight into scientific inquiry, ethical research practices, and collaborative lab work. Trainees will participate in routine lab activities in an educational and observational capacity. All work will be non-sensitive and performed under the direct supervision of research staff or faculty. This position is intended for enrichment and carries no independent responsibility or technical duty. The Summer Research Assistant will assist faculty with research projects in computer science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Responsibilities may include programming, data entry, literature review, testing, documentation, and other research-related tasks as assigned. This is a temporary, part-time summer position designed to provide hands-on research experience in an academic environment.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in high school (typically grades 9–11) at the time of application.
• Demonstrated interest in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) through coursework, extracurriculars, or personal projects.
• Ability to follow instructions, work collaboratively in a team environment, and maintain a professional attitude in an academic research setting.
• Parental/guardian consent must be secured prior to participation.
• No prior research experience is required; this is an educational and exploratory role.
• Interest in STEM fields, particularly computer science, cybersecurity, or biomedical research.
• Willingness to learn and engage with new scientific and technical concepts in a laboratory setting.
• Strong communication skills, including asking questions, listening actively, and following verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work respectfully in a collaborative team environment and conduct appropriately in a professional research lab.
• Dependability and punctuality in attending scheduled lab sessions.
• Basic organizational skills, including keeping notes and maintaining workspace cleanliness.
• Awareness of and adherence to lab safety protocols and ethical standards in research.

Responsibilities

• Shadow research staff and students to gain exposure to day-to-day lab operations, workflows, and experiments.
• Observe safe lab practices, data handling protocols, and ethical research standards.
• Participate in informal lab discussions and group meetings for educational purposes.
• Assist with non-sensitive, routine lab preparations such as organizing supplies, labeling materials, or preparing simple, non-technical documentation.
• Engage in guided learning tasks such as recording observations, reading background materials, or completing mini-tutorials on lab tools and methods.
• Attend mentorship sessions and one-on-one guidance meetings with lab staff or faculty to explore cybersecurity, computing, and scientific research topics.
• Receive informal feedback on observations, questions, or short presentations about their learning progress.
• Participate in end-of-summer reflection or presentation to share what was learned with peers or prospective students.
• Support the lab’s STEM outreach goals by contributing to a collaborative and inclusive learning environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED