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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.
Duties/Responsibilities
40%
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.
35%
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.
25%
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.
Requirements
Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:
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.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
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.
Applicant Instructions:
Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the My Experience: Resume/CV section of the application: (Maximum of 5 Documents)
Resume/CV
Cover Letter
Contact Information for 3 Professional References
Compensation Pay Range:
$10 per hour, 20 hours per week
Please be advised that this position is supported by external sponsor funding. As such, continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of those external funds. If, for any reason, the sponsor funding is reduced or discontinued, employment may be subject to modification or termination in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
Keene State College is located in the scenic Monadnock region of Southwest New Hampshire and is an affiliate of the University System of New Hampshire. Located approximately 2 hours from Boston or Hartford CT, and 4 hours from New York City, the region contains many opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation, cultural events, and a strong sense of community. To learn more about Keene State College, the University System of New Hampshire, and the Keene community, please
visit: https://www.keene.edu, https://www.usnh.edu/ or https://www.ci.keene.nh.us.
EEO Statement
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.
The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources
Location:
KeeneSalary Grade:
Adjunct Hourly Staff 00Skills Required
- Currently enrolled in high school (typically grades 9-11)
- Demonstrated interest in STEM through coursework, extracurriculars, or personal projects
- Ability to follow instructions, work collaboratively, and maintain a professional attitude
- Parental/guardian consent must be secured prior to participation
- Willingness to learn and engage with new scientific and technical concepts
- Strong communication skills, including listening and following verbal and written instructions
- Dependability and punctuality in attending scheduled lab sessions
- Basic organizational skills and awareness of lab safety protocols and ethical standards
- Prepare to upload Resume/CV, Cover Letter, and Contact Information for 3 Professional References
What We Do
The University System of New Hampshire is the largest provider of postsecondary education in the Granite State, operating three educational institutions that offer a broad array of education, research, and public services.
