Summer Internships for Undergraduates from Other Institutions
The Comito laboratory seeks talented undergraduates who are not currently UH* students for a paid summer research internship in chemistry. The goal of the internship is for students to participate in R1-level research and to prepare them for graduate school. It is also an opportunity to experience research in the Comito Laboratory and to learn about the PhD program at UH. Students will explore potential research directions, refine their research interests, and assess mutual fit with our research program. Interns will learn about potential research opportunities and the admissions process here, although admission decisions remain subject to mutual fit and our application process.
Eligibility. As such, applicants should be enrolled at an undergraduate institution in the US at the time of the internship. They should have a major in chemistry or a chemistry-adjacent field (chemical engineering, biochemistry etc.). They should express a serious interest in chemistry graduate school as well as in UH's Chemistry graduate program. Pre-health students and pharmacy students are not eligible.
Commitment. The internship will be for a minimum of 10 weeks, for 40 hrs/week. The timing of the internship is flexible, but should generally be in the months of June, July and August.
Compensation. Interns will be provided a stipend for their summer work, which they can spend on housing. Accommodations are not provided directly as part of the internship. Interested students can contact Professor Comito about the details.
Research Topic. Interns will be given a short term project on catalysis, feedstock extraction, or chemical synthesis. See the Undergrads tab for examples of undergraduate projects, noting that many kinds of undergraduate projects cannot be completed in 10 weeks.
How to Apply. Interested applicants should contact Professor Comito directly by email (rjcomito@central.uh.edu). Applications should include (1) a current transcript (unofficial is fine), (2) resume or curriculum vitae, (3) the name and contact information of at least one professional reference who can comment on your laboratory abilities (such as a teaching lab coordinator). Your email should also state (1) your major, (2) your intended year of graduation, and (3) your interest in chemistry graduate school and the UH graduate program. If I have met you at a conference or seminar, please remind me about that too.
Other Opportunities
Current UH* undergrads interested in the Comito lab should see the opportunities listed in the Undergrads tab. Funding for summer research is available from UH-specific programs. Premedical students are encouraged to apply to work in the Comito lab over the summer if they are current UH* students.
High school students are currently only hired to the Comito Laboratory through established programs such as the Welch Summer Scholars and ACS Project SEED.
*For the purposes of eligibility, we mean the UH flagship university. Students at other UH Universities (Clear Lake, Victoria, etc.) are welcome to apply.