Description

The Applied Physics Laboratory COZSO Summer Undergraduate Research Program is now accepting applications for Summer 2026, which are due March 15th, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. The program aims to provide students with the opportunity to experience and conduct project-based research, participate in professional development, build community with young scientists, and learn how to navigate the pathways to a career in oceanography. The internship will be hosted by the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and the School of Oceanography at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus from June 22, 2026 to August 21, 2026. The program provides interns with a $7000 stipend, housing, and travel to and from Seattle, WA. 

Summer research projects this year will focus on the NSF-funded Cascadia Offshore Subduction Zone Observatory (COSZO). The project goal is to add cabled seafloor science junction boxes and a suite of geophysical sensors to each of three primary nodes on the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) Regional Cabled Array (RCA) located on the slope and shelf of the Cascadia subduction zone off Newport, Oregon. There will be a 2-week cruise associated with the summer program on a Global Class research vessel with the JASON remotely operated vehicle during which the equipment will be added to the OOI RCA. Cruise dates will likely occur in August towards the end of the summer program or  right afterward. The interns will play an important role in logging JASON dives and recording cruise activities. 

Requirements

Students interested in applying must be:
18 years or older registered and attending U.S.-based universities, community colleges, and technical schools or graduates within a year of their undergraduate graduation. 
Completed one year at their institution and have one term of pre-calculus (or equivalent) and one term of a basic science or engineering course. 
Experience in a lab-based course or with computational software (like Excel, Matlab, Python, R, etc.) will be helpful but not required. 
Applicants may be studying any STEM field but must have an interest in ocean sciences and other types of research conducted at APL and the School of Oceanography 
Falling short of course prerequisites will not necessarily result in rejection, so we encourage you to apply if this program is of great interest to you.

The following documents are required and must be submitted through our application:  

Short answer essay questions (no more than 500 words per question) 
A current resume that highlights educational background and work experience, course or project work, interests, community or service involvement, or other specialized skills 
Unofficial transcripts as record of courses (GPA will not be taken into consideration) 
A reference survey completed by an educator or professional who is familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or professional experience