Research Intern

Thank you for your interest in employment with the Desert Research Institute. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application: Once you start the application process you cannot save your work. Please ensure you have all required attachment(s) available to complete your application before you begin the process. Required attachments are listed below on the posting. Your application will not be considered without the required attachments. Please see the application instructions under each posting for information on submittal deadlines. If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, contact Human Resources Hotline at (775) 673-7431 or recruit@dri.edu. Job Description Undergraduate/Graduate Research Internship (BS/MS/PhD Level) Advanced Seismo-Acoustic Waveform and Event Processing and Pipeline Development Location: Desert Research Institute (DRI), Reno, Nevada (or Remote/Hybrid) Duration: Summer (10–12 weeks, flexible) Mentor: Dr. Cleat Zeiler The Seismology 4 All STEM effort at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) invites applications for research internships focused on the development of advanced, data-driven systems that enable seismology workflows for all education levels. This opportunity is open to highly motivated students with strong technical backgrounds and an interest in solving complex, real-world problems at the intersection of software engineering, data science, and algorithm design. We are seeking to recruit one undergraduate student for this internship. The project involves designing and implementing scalable, intelligent platforms that integrate structured data, user interaction, and adaptive decision-making logic. The goal is to develop a data workflow for implementation in High Schools that connect students to local seismic activity. Much of the software is already developed, but ease of access to data and sharing results for collaborative science needs to be coordinated. Research Scope Interns will contribute to the design, development, and evaluation of seismo-acoustic work flows, including: Development of structured data models to enable rapid analysis Design and implementation of algorithmic matching, ranking, or recommendation methods Backend system development for scalable data processing and interaction Integration of real-time system components and performance optimization Data-driven evaluation and iterative improvement of system performance Key Responsibilities Contribute to system architecture design and core development Implement and test algorithms and backend components, Work with databases, APIs, and cloud-based infrastructure, Perform data analysis, benchmarking, and system optimization, Collaborate on improving system performance and scalability. Required Qualifications Current undergraduate in: Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Geosciences or related fields Strong background in: Programming (Python, C , JavaScript, or similar), Data Structures, algorithms, and system design Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and system design Preferred Qualifications Experience with machine learning, recommendation systems, or large-scale data systems Experience with backend frameworks (Node.js, Django, FastAPI, etc.) Experience with databases (SQL/NoSQL) Experience to cloud platforms (AWA, GCP, Azure) Experience with Seismo-Acoustic systems and distributed architectures Salary Undergraduate Students: $20-25/hour, Master’s Students: $23-28/hour, PhD Students: $25-30/hour Schedule: Summer (10-12 weeks), flexible hours and potential to continue during fall semester if scheduling permits For more information, please contact: cleat.zeiler@dri.edu ExemptNo Full-Time Equivalent 47.5% Required Attachment(s) Please submit a resume Posting Close Date Note to Applicant Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials. References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process based on applicant notification and permission. Newly hired faculty and postdoctoral fellows must assure that their official transcript is submitted to the Human Resources Office within 30 calendar days from the effective date of employment. Academic degrees must have been awarded by regionally accredited institutions. This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire. As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks. DRI employs only U.S. citizens and aliens authorized to work in the U.S. DRI only sponsors aliens applying for research faculty or postdoctoral fellow positions (J-1 or H-1B Visas). All applicants hired by the Desert Research Institute are subject to E-Verify. Welcome to the Desert Research Institute (DRI), we are excited to see your interest in our research, administrative, and staff positions. This unique entrepreneurial setting enables innovative, and results driven individuals to accomplish world renowned achievements. Since 1959, DRI has stood at the forefront of understanding Earth's complex environmental systems, promoting preservation of diverse ecosystems, advancing responsible natural resource management, and improving human health and welfare throughout Nevada and around the world. Research at DRI calls on the expertise and methods of multiple scientific disciplines. More than 400 highly-skilled scientists, engineers, technicians, students and staff on two main campuses in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, are collaboratively focused on understanding and answering critical questions about water quality and availability, air quality, sustainability of desert lands, life in extreme environments, and more. DRI ranks high in research and development expenditures in environmental sciences. DRI is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment free of discrimination without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. DRI employs only U.S. citizens and persons lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Additionally, we comply with all applicable state laws and DRI takes measures consistent with Title IX to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its students, faculty and staff. EEO/Title IX website Jennifer Schultz Title IX Coordinator/Director of Human Resources 2215 Raggio Parkway Reno, NV 89512 (775) 673-7317 jennifer.schultz@dri.edu The Desert Research Institute does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The Institute’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Jennifer Schultz, Title IX Coordinator, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Northern Nevada Science Building, Room 112, Reno, NV 89512, Telephone: (775) 673-7317; Email: jennifer.schultz@dri.edu; to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: OCR@ed.gov; or to both. Information pertaining to the Institute's grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the Institute will respond can be found here. If you need any accommodations to complete an application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@dri.edu or (775) 673-7431. Information regarding security, personal safety, fire safety, and crime statistics can be found at DRI's Public and Personal Safety page. NSHE Employees are required to participate in a mandatory retirement plan in lieu of Social Security. As a result, employment at NSHE may impact your Social Security benefits. Additional information is available at SSA 1945. Job postings are specific to the Nevada System of Higher Education.