Call for Applications
The 2025 W.F. Chaloupka Distinguished Internship Award
Application Deadline: December 4, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Award notification: December 12, 2024
In 2021, the William F. Chaloupka Distinguished Internship for undergraduates was established by Jerrie Chaloupka Rohren, Charles Rohren and their family. This internship supports a UNL undergraduate student with interests in paleontology and earth sciences to conduct fossil preparation in the Morrill Hall Visible Lab. Just as Mr. Chaloupka loved vertebrate paleontology research and explaining it to others, the W. F. Chaloupka distinguished intern will be preparing fossils and explaining the science of paleontology to visiting school groups and families.
The successful applicant will be trained in fossil preparation by University of Nebraska State Museum (UNSM) vertebrate paleontology staff and coached in science communication by UNSM education staff. They will spend a significant portion of time in the Visible Lab, Morrill Hall preparing fossils and answering questions from museum visitors and school groups.
The internship will pay $15.50/hour for up to 20 hours a week, and employment may begin as early as the spring pre-session (January 2-17), however, employment should begin no later than the week of spring classes, regular academic session (January 21).
One internship will be awarded to a worthy applicant meeting these eligibility criteria:
1. The person is a full-time student, enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
2. The person has a sophomore class standing or above as of Fall Semester 2024.
3. Demonstrates interest in sharing the excitement of science with the public.
4. Demonstrates interest paleontology, geology, biology, or other related fields through their essay which should highlight relevant coursework and personal experiences, including volunteer or job activities.
5. The person does not have to be a major in these fields, however, preference will be given to those candidates with a strong science background.
Application: The interested applicant should email the following to UNSM@unl.edu by Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 5:00 pm:
1. A short essay (1 page, about 400 words is recommended) that describes:
a. Your interest in paleontology or related field through coursework, personal experiences including volunteer or job activities;
b. Your interest in sharing research with the public; and
c. Explains how this internship will further your career aspirations.
2. An unofficial transcript that verifies eligibility; AND
3. In your cover email, provide the name and email address of the person providing a letter in support of your application. Please arrange for a recommendation from a UNL professor, graduate student teaching assistant, or museum staff member.
Instructions for Letter writers: Please include the following: Student name and how long (months, semesters, years) and in what capacity you have known the applicant. Please comment on how well the applicant meets the internship criteria. Note: email submission to UNSM@unl.edu accepted as an electronic signature, please submit recommendation by 5 pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.