Careers

Building on a long history of excellence in space science and instrumentation, SSI seeks to tackle significant challenges in astrophysics and planetary science by fostering collaboration across various disciplines. This program covers the following research areas:

Astrophysics and cosmology (optical astronomy and cosmology, x-ray astrophysics, x-ray laboratory astrophysics, and nuclear astrophysics)
Planetary science (cosmochemistry and planetary defense)
Technology and instrument development (adaptive optics, gamma-ray spectrometers, SmallSat capabilities for science missions, and x-ray and extreme ultraviolet optics)

For 10–12 weeks from June to mid-September, senior undergraduate and graduate students with backgrounds in these research areas can:

Develop skills by conducting practical research at LLNL under the supervision of a staff scientist
Attend a specialized seminar series
Showcase projects at a flash talk symposium and/or a student poster session

Selection for this program is competitive, as there are typically hundreds of applicants for approximately ten positions. Students may review the SSI research pages and consider contacting research groups whose work aligns with their expertise and interests. Establishing an informal connection can enhance visibility during the formal selection process.

A mentor oversees their mentee doing lab bench work.

Summer 2025 cohort

Summer 2025 student cohort. — The summer 2025 student cohort with their mentors and the program coordinators. From left to right: Erin Huntzinger (student), Thomas Kruijer (student coordinator), Ashley Herbst (student), Kaitlyn McCain (mentor), Peter McGill (student coordinator), Hayden Borg (student), Michael Savina (mentor), Joel Hurtado (student), Aaron Lemmer (mentor), Jacob Bauman (student), Benjamin Gerard (mentor), Megan Eckart (Space Science Institute Director), Sage Li (student), Alex Geringer-Sameth (mentor), Erika Holmbeck (mentor).

Externally sponsored internships

SSI partners with externally sponsored internship programs—such as the Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) and the Livermore Lab Foundation (LLF)—to expand the number of students who can work with SSI each year. Students participating in these programs can be hosted at LLNL by an SSI mentor and participate in the SSI student program. Students planning to apply for any of these internships may contact us in advance for guidance and support throughout the application process.

Students interested in a summer internship with the SSI are encouraged to apply for an independent fellowship offered by LLF, if eligible. LLF applicants should be undergraduates and should not have previously worked at LLNL. For more details and to access the application form, visit the LLF fellowship page. When applying, select “Physics/Space Science Fellowship” as your “Fellowship of interest.”

Note: Application deadlines for these internships vary, and in some cases are significantly earlier than the SSI internship deadline. Students are encouraged to apply directly to the LLNL SSI posting, as well as to any external programs for which they qualify, to increase their chances of selection.

Past student projects

Summer 2025 cohort

Applications

Externally sponsored internships

Have questions about the internship?

SSI Student Research and Engagement Coordinators

Want to learn about related internships?