Undergraduate Students

The Quantum Foundry research internship program brings science and engineering California Community College, California State University, and other primarily undergraduate institution undergraduate students to the UC Santa Barbara campus for an 8-week summer research experience. Undergraduate interns gain first-hand experience in scientific investigation via a dynamic, collaborative research environment. They are matched individually with Foundry faculty and graduate student lab mentors who provide ongoing training and support. Interns also participate in professional development activities preparing them for graduate research and the workforce.

Program Information

Overview

Once selected as Quantum Foundry interns, the students embark upon a program of scientific research and educational enrichment guided by Faculty, graduate student mentors and staff at CSEP. Interns are provided with an invaluable opportunity to explore the next generation of quantum materials, quantum states, and quantum-based electronics within a research environment, and improve their opportunities for future study and workforce training.

The internship includes:

• 8-week summer research experience
• Oral and written science communication skills development
• Weekly seminar course with Quantum Foundry faculty
• Networking events and professional development workshops

Eligibility Criteria

The Quantum Foundry program is open to undergraduate students who meet all of the following requirements:

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student
• Over 18 years of age by the start of program and not enrolled in high school at the time of application
• A US citizen or permanent resident
• Majoring or intends to major in science, engineering, or mathematics
• Has satisfied the following course/unit requirements: (1 semester unit = 1.5 quarter units)
  • Completed or currently enrolled in a minimum of 4 semester units of Calculus
  • Completed a minimum of 12 semester units in science and/or engineering courses

Internship Awards

Up to 8 internship awards will be given. Interns will receive a $5000.00 stipend for the internship during the summer. Shared housing will be provided for out-of-the-area students and local students will receive an additional housing stipend. Students will participate in all internship program activities and give final talks at the end of the summer internship and a poster presentation.

Faculty Research and Intern Projects

Applicants will need to identify three faculty whose research field matches their interests on their application. Wendy Ibsen can provide assistance and guidance for students before they submit an application.

• Ania Jayich
• John Harter
• Bolin Liao
• Galan Moody
• Linda Petzold
• Ram Seshadri
• Mark Sherwin
• Vojtech Vlcek
• David Weld
• Stephen Wilson
• Chenhao Jin
• Christopher Palmstrøm
• Susanne Stemmer
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How to Apply

Part I: Required Application Materials

All of the following must be received by the application deadline.

• Application form (fill this out as soon as possible to generate automated emails to your recommenders. All other application materials can only be submitted after completing this form, but may be submitted anytime before the deadline). Includes contact information, demographic information, name(s) and email(s) for person(s) who will write your letter of recommendation, and lab preferences (each applicant must provide the names of 4 potential faculty mentors).
•  The short response webform will be accessible to you after you complete your application form. The statement of interest requires that you respond to the following prompts:
  • Discuss your interest in science and the qualities you possess that will make you a good scientist. What have you done, both in and out of the classroom, that demonstrates your motivation and interest in science? Give specific, recent examples.
  • Describe how this internship program will help you reach your current educational and career aspirations.
  • Briefly describe your research area of interest. This need not be based on research that you have done or are currently doing. We simply want to understand what areas interest you.
  • (OPTIONAL) We acknowledge that every student has had unique life experiences that may not be captured in the above questions. The selection committee is interested in learning more about extenuating circumstances you may have encountered throughout your journey. If you have none to write about, please write "N/A".
• Unofficial transcript(s) for all college-level coursework (Make sure all content is legible, PDF less than 2MB to be uploaded after submitting application form)
• Letter(s) of recommendation: Students applying to the Quantum Foundry internship need one letter of recommendation (though you can choose to have two letters). You must include the name(s) and email(s) of the people who will write your letter(s) of recommendation on the application form, and they will be automatically contacted with information on how to submit your letter after you submit the application form.

Information for Recommenders

All required letters of recommendation should be submitted by February 18, 2025. Students should approach potential recommenders with their request for a letter before including the recommender's name in the application. Each recommender selected by the student will receive an email with a personalized link to submit the letter of recommendation. This email will only be generated after the student has submitted the application form.

Recommenders are asked to consider the following questions when writing the letter of recommendation webform that will be emailed to them:

• How long have you known the student and in what capacity?
• What are your impressions related to the student's preparedness for an internship experience?
• What are your impressions related to the student's approach to academic challenges and setbacks?
• How do you think that this internship will support the student's education and career goals?
• Optional: We acknowledge that every student has had unique life experiences that may not be captured in the above questions. The selection committee is interested in learning more about any extenuating circumstances the student may have encountered throughout their journey (e.g., 1st in family to attend college, low-income, or anything else you feel is relevant) and how they have dealt with these circumstances. If you have nothing to add here, this is optional.

Part II Interview / Selection Process

Approximately 2 weeks after submission deadline, students selected for interviews will be notified by email and asked to sign-up for an interview time. Interviews will be conducted in person or over the phone as decided by the coordinator. All communication will be via email and applicants should be sure their email address is correct and checked frequently.

Email Correspondence

 

Note: ALL correspondence with applicants will be via email, including award decisions. Please add wendyibsen@ucsb.edu to your email address book so that our email does not get routed to your spam or trash folder.