High School Research InternVT-ARC seeks a motivated high school student through the TJHSST Research Practicum program to join the STEAD division as a research intern. The intern will pursue an independent research project under the guidance of a VT-ARC mentor while also supporting the division's ongoing data analysis work. This position offers exposure to applied research in a defense and national security research setting, including how technical programs are planned, analyzed, and communicated to government sponsors. Internship Details:
Duration:
September 2026 – May 2027, aligned with the TJHSST Research Practicum academic calendar
Schedule: 16 hours per week, coordinated with the student's school schedule
Supervisor/Mentor: Sithira Ratnayaka, PhD, Lead Technical Project Manager
Compensation:
Unpaid; academic credit through Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Duties and Responsibilities:- Practicum research project
- Design and carry out an independent research project under mentor supervision, including defining research questions, reviewing relevant literature, and selecting appropriate methods
- Maintain a research log documenting progress, methods, and results
- Produce the deliverables required by the TJHSST practicum, such as a final paper, poster, and presentation
- Division support
- Provide support for general division-level activities
- Collect, clean, and organize datasets from publicly available sources such as publication databases, funding records, and technical reports
- Conduct descriptive and exploratory analyses and summarize findings for project teams
- Create charts, tables, and other visualizations for internal briefings and reports
- Help with literature searches and summaries supporting division research and technology forecasting efforts
- Participate in team meetings and give short updates on assigned tasks
Required Qualifications:- Current student at TJHSST enrolled in the Research Practicum program
- Strong written communication skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently, manage time across school and internship commitments, and ask questions when needed
- Primary Work Location: Work will be performed in Arlington, VA, with the option for remote work in accordance with the Hybrid Work & Telecommuting Policy and mission requirements
Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation: VT-ARC is a 501(c)(3), non-profit R&D organization affiliated with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech or VT). Our mission is to provide superior analytic and technology solutions across multiple domains by leveraging Virginia Tech's multidisciplinary research and innovation ecosystem.
