Unfortunately, the Snedeker lab will not be holding an internship program during summer 2023. We expect to resume our program in 2024 and will post application information in January 2024. Please check back then! For a list of generally required application materials, please see below.
Harvard undergraduates interested in working in the lab this summer should apply to BLISS. Please check with your advisor with any questions.
The Harvard Laboratory for Developmental Studies hosts an annual summer internship, supervised by Dr. Susan Carey and Dr. Jesse Snedeker. Interns gain in-depth research experience. You can learn about Dr. Carey and Dr. Snedeker’s current research by reading our website and focusing on publications from our lab members.
The Intern Experience
Interns work closely with a graduate-level researcher, based on the intern’s interests. Interns gain an in-depth experience in all stages of research. Specifically, interns will do background reading, schedule participants, collect data from children and/or adults, transcribe/code data, conduct literature searches, and plan follow-up experiments, etc. They also present a preliminary talk at week 2 and a poster at week 10. Interns’ intellectual development is further supported through frequent meetings with their mentors, a weekly meeting with the faculty, participation in weekly reading groups, and participation in weekly lab meetings.
Professional development is supported through meetings with the faculty and mentors on relevant issues (e.g., future options, the path to reaching goals, work/life balance). Social events are also scheduled for each week.
Though the two labs have different focuses and function independently, cross-talk and collaboration is always encouraged. Additionally, the members of both labs do many things together, such as the reading group, lab meetings, professional development, and social events.
Typical Interns
Interns must be undergraduates or recent graduates. They typically have interest in research on language and/or cognitive development, experience with research methods (especially in psychology or linguistics), confidence in interacting with families (especially in a professional setting), and excellent problem-solving and teamwork skills. Interns are from schools all around the U.S.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept international applicants at this time. We encourage international students to look for opportunities through their home universities, as many offer international placements or opportunities to study abroad. If you are an international student at a US university and have a visa through your home school, you may be able to apply. Please email us.
Please note that this internship is highly competitive. While there are no strict GPA requirements, successful candidates typically have a 3.5 or above on a 4.0 GPA scale.
Dates and Time
The 2022 internship will run from 6/6/2022 to 8/12/2022. Interns must be able to be present for the entire duration. Interns are at the lab from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Financial Support
$2000 funding is available for all interns. Housing is NOT included. We recommend subletting, staying in a co-op, or staying with a relative. Applicants are expected to look for funding from their home universities. If any intern does not find funding, we still provide $2000 (paid $200/week). If an intern finds funding less than $2000, we will provide a stipend of the difference (e.g., if your home University gives you $1000, we provide $1000). We do not provide a stipend that raises the total amount to more than $2000.
We recognize that financial constraints can prevent students from participating in summer programs like this one. If you are a U.S. student receiving a Pell Grant or a Federal Work Study award, please contact us. We may be able to help you cover some or all of the cost of attendance.
Finding Additional Funding
Talk to your academic advisor(s), student employment office, financial aid office, and/or your other student organizations (e.g. Psi Chi, sorority/fraternity, etc). Harvard Students should apply for the BLISS program (or a related research village program) through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Read the information here (http://www.seo.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k80947&tabgroupid=icb.tabgroup131543). Please note that the deadline to apply for BLISS is 2/15/22 and they do not accept late applications.
Application Process
The application deadline is 12:00 noon (EST) March 1, 2022. We will contact you by the end of March. Thank you for your patience!
Please note that Harvard students must apply for BLISS or a related research village program (see above) by 2/15/22.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept international applicants at this time. We encourage international students to look for opportunities through their home universities, as many offer international placements.
[Applications will open in January 2023] Applications should be submitted here. If you have trouble loading, please refresh the page and/or try copying and pasting the URL (xx) to a different/private browser.
You will need to upload:
- a cover letter (in PDF format)
- a resume/CV (in PDF format)
- transcripts (unofficial, in PDF format)
- responses to 4 mandatory questions and 1 optional question (in PDF format)
Additionally, we require 2 letters of recommendation, emailed directly from your referees to harvardldsinternship@gmail.com. Feel free to ask anyone who can speak best about your potential as an intern in a cognitive/language development research laboratory.
Contact
Please direct any questions about the internship to:
Briony Waite
Snedeker Lab Manager
bwaite@fas.harvard.edu
Nancy Soja
Carey Lab Manager
nnsoja@fas.harvard.edu