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Newsletter:  May 2002/ Issue 2
UW and PNNL Offer Summer Opportunities in Global Security

The University of Washington’s Institute for Global and Regional Security Studies (IGRSS), in conjunction with PNNL’s Pacific Northwest Center for Global Security, is offering a limited number of internships and independent student research opportunities in the area of global security through three separate programs this summer. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), based in Richland, Washington, is one of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) nine national laboratories, providing support to the DOE and other federal agencies in their national security activities.

The first program will offer independent study opportunities to graduate students at the University of Washington majoring in international relations in the Jackson School of International Studies and Department of Political Science. Students will study one-on-one with PNNL staff scientists in a program of self-directed research lasting one quarter. These are non-funded research positions for which students may receive up to five academic credits. By partnering with PNNL staff, students have access to research opportunities that would not otherwise be available to them and in the process become more acquainted with DOE’s national security activities and programs. In return, the Lab scientists gain valuable research assistance at no cost to them. The program may also serve as an avenue for recruitment. And, IGRSS will build its relationship with the Lab by filling an important niche.

“We expect this summer to serve as the pilot for the program,” says Mark Leek of PNNL’s Pacific Northwest Center for Global Security, who is responsible for coordinating the program at the Lab. “We hope to continue the program yearly.” Leek anticipates some five-to-six independent research projects the first year.

“Much care will be given to identifying appropriate matches of students, projects and scientists,” says Leek. “That is one of our highest priorities.”

Topics of research will encompass a broad range of subjects. PNNL staff in the National Security Directorate have been invited to submit their ideas for research projects. The matching of students to projects will occur throughout the month of May.

The second program is being launched by PNNL’s Pacific Northwest Center for Global Security (PNWCGS) in association with the University of Washington’s Physics Department with the objective of building a strong PNNL national security link to the University’s physical sciences programs. Two internships, directed at students in the UW’s Department of Physics, are planned for Summer Quarter 2002. The internships are available to graduate students and exceptional undergraduate juniors and seniors. Up to six internships are planned in the long-term.

In mid-April, Jim Fuller, PNWCGS director and Deborah Dickman, Product Line Manager in PNNL’s National Security Division, met with the Chair of the UW Physics Department, David Boulware, to discuss initial plans for beginning the internship program and long-term objectives. Acquainting graduate students in physics with research and potential job opportunities in the national security arena fills an important need at the UW as one-third of UW physics graduate students end up pursuing careers outside of academia, reported Boulware.

In addition, Steve Mladineo of Battelle’s Washington, DC Office is uniting with the Nuclear Cities Initiative to offer one internship position in arms control and nonproliferation. The position, for which a candidate was selected in April, was made available to seniors in the UW’s Jackson School of International Studies. The selected candidate will conduct research to further program development on behalf of PNNL’s National Security Directorate, as well as offer direct assistance to the management team of the Nuclear Cities Initiative.