Connecting Core Facility Technologies with Research Applications

Office of Shared Research Facilities

Mentors 

Angie Charles, Director of Finance and Administration
Natalie Young, Communications and Organizational Manager
George Langan, Associate Dean for Research Resources

About OSRF

The Office of Shared Research Facilities (OSRF) oversees administration and operations of most BSD core facilities. Core Facilities are an essential component of The University of Chicago’s research enterprise, providing critical resources that enable existing and emerging technologies to facilitate groundbreaking discoveries. Cores offer expertise in state-of-the-art instrumentation and services as well as experimental design and data analysis to advance research programs across the disciplines. Operated as fee-for-service facilities, core facilities are managed in order to best support the University’s mission to discover and create new knowledge of living systems. We are driven by the research needs of the faculty.

Explore more about us at: osrf.bsd.uchicago.edu

Internship Description

OSRF is developing a database of research equipment available in the core facilities. The end goal is to have this information in searchable form, so that a researcher can quickly find the technology and expertise needed to answer their research question. In order to build the database, the intern will take equipment lists for each core and assign key words and phrases to each. These may include alternate names for machines and processes, disciplines that commonly use the technology, varied names for inputs and outputs, reagents, etc. This will require the intern to learn about the core, the research supported, and to network with colleagues in and outside the core to understand the research that can be supported.

Some of the activities the internship may involve include:

  • Visiting the core facilities and becoming familiar with the technologies present through observation and talking to staff
  • Reading publications of core facility users to understand how technologies are used and to what purpose
  • Searching tech companies websites or contacting sales reps for additional technical information

Learning Objectives

  • Become familiar with a wide array of technologies and the research they support
  • Understand the connection between faculty research and the university as a whole
  • Obtain an overview of university administration functions
  • Learn NIH guidelines dictating how core facilities must operate

Qualifications

  • Curiosity about a broad range of research technologies
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to communicate across scientific disciplines
  • Interest in academic administration
  • (optional) Web development skills

Application

Your application must include a current CV and a cover letter describing why this internship is relevant to your career goals.

Follow Us