ISS EarthKAM - RECRUITMENT
ISS

Welcome to NASA ISS EarthKAM and LunarOPS Recruitment

EarthKAM and LunarOPS are looking for ambitious and qualified undergraduates to fill internship positions in Web and Web Applications
Development, Software Development, Image Analysis and School Outreach.

ISS EarthKAM is a NASA sponsored program that provides stunning, high quality photographs of our planet taken from the space. Since 1996, ISS EarthKAM students have taken thousands of photographs of Earth by using the world wide web to direct a digital camera on select space flights and currently on the International Space Station.

LunarOPS (Lunar Orbital Photography for Students) is an Education and Public Outreach Program that will provide stunning photography and video of the moon as part of the the Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) Project, a joint project between NASA, MIT, JPL, Lockheed Martin and Sally Ride Science. LunarOPS will feature up to 5 camera-heads on each spacecraft that will provide images and video of the lunar surface, deep-space, Earth, and the GRAIL spacecraft. Middle School Students and Educators will be able to request images to be taken during the 80 Day mission through the LunarOPS interactive mission website.

The LunarOPS Mission Operation Center will be at UCSD and staffed, supported, and maintained by UCSD Undergraduate Interns. Over the next 2 years, 2009/2010, interns will initially develop the framework, website, and software for the LunarOPS Program. In 2011/2012, interns will support the actual mission operation of LunarOPS.

BENEFITS OF JOINING EARTHKAM AND LUNAROPS

ISS EarthKAM and LunarOPS provide benefits to its undergraduates including:

  • Possible participation with the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas working in NASA's Mission Operations Center.
  • Senior team members act as mentors and knowledgeable resources in fields ranging from database and web programming to public relations.
  • The ability to set your own hours and occasionally work from home.
  • Experience working as a team and contributing to a larger goal.
  • A great learning experience and resume builder.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT EARTHKAM

  • Software Developer

    Software Interns will develop complex software packages as a part of the EarthKAM mission operations workflow; develop dynamic, database-driven applications; automate mission operations tasks; and create innovative and interactive solutions to fulfill internal and client needs.

    General Required Skills: The ideal candidate has proven experience with Java software development in a team environment. Familiarity with UNIX CLI, version control systems, and enterprise databases preferred. Knowledge of physics, geographic information systems (GIS), C, and Perl a plus . He or she must also have a passion for learning new technologies, and a desire to create extremely reliable mission operations software.

  • Web Application Developer

    Interns will work on an accelerated website development project that represents ISS EarthKAM to our worldwide user base and our government and corporate sponsors.And they will develop dynamic, database-driven front-ends using Java servlets with standards-compliant HTML and CSS; communicate with other teams to solve cross-disciplinary challenges and ensure interoperability; lead or participate in efforts to simplify user tasks.

    General Required Skills: The ideal candidate has proven experience with both software development and web technologies. Familiarity with UNIX CLI, version control systems, application servers, Hibernate, JSP, and enterprise databases preferred. He or she must also have a passion for enabling internet technologies and their applications.

  • Web Developer

    Interns will work on an accelerated website development project that represents ISS EarthKAM to our worldwide user base and our government and corporate sponsors.They will also code standards-compliant user portals and documents using HTML and CSS; create usable and accessible interfaces with and without Javascript; solve content organizational challenges; lead or participate in efforts to simplify user tasks.

    General Required Skills: The ideal candidate has proven experience with semantic HTML, CSS, and unobtrusive Javascript. Familiarity with UNIX CLI and version control systems preferred. He or she must also have a passion for enabling internet technologies and their applications.

  • Image Analyst

    Images team interns are responsible for expanding the educational value of the digital images through annotation, captioning, and organization, as well as by creating informational resources using the images. Adobe Photoshop and targeting programs provided by NASA are the primary tools of the Images team. The Images team is seeking students with an interest in earth science and geography, who are attentive to details, and who have a strong creative side.

    General Required Skills: Analytical thinkers who are able to work independently but can also excel in collaboration with other team members towards a common goal; Creative, capable of thinking outside the box and communicating their ideas to supervisors; Diligent, responsible, motivated, organized, curious. Required Skills: Adobe Photoshop; Ability to work efficiently both independently and in collaboration with others. Recommended Skills: Knowledge of terrestrial and/or marine features.

  • School Outreach Coordinator

    The School team is responsible for recruiting and working with middle schools, creating training webpages and resources, giving presentations about the organization, attending science and space related events, and coordinating with partner universities, organizations, and NASA personnel. The School team acts as the interface between UCSD and participating schools. The School team is seeking students with strong verbal and written communication skills who are interested in education and have a creative side that will expand and improve our program.

    General Required Skills: Analytical thinkers who are able to work independently but can also excel in collaboration with other team members towards a common goal; Creative, capable of thinking outside the box and communicating their ideas to supervisors; Diligent, responsible, motivated, organized, curious. Required Skills: MS Excel, MS Word; Web navigational skills Professional, expressive, clear communication, both written and spoken; Troubleshooting skills; An interest in education and helping others. Recommended Skills: Familiarity with Unix


POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT LUNAROPS

  • Software Developer

    Software Developer Interns will be responsible for building and maintaining software supporting mission operations. LunarOPS will need talented programmers to assist in the creation and development of libraries, databases, programs, and GUIs to support operations. Applicants should minimally have experience with C/C++ or JAVA and Unix. Interns will have the opportunity to develop these existing skills, as well as acquire knowledge in SQL, CVS, OOP, and software development.

    General Required Skills: Analytical thinkers who are able to work both independently and in collaborative environments; Creative and curious, capable of thinking of innovative solutions to problems; Diligent, responsible, motivated, and organized; Strong social skills and the ability to communicate ideas to others; Major in Related Field, such as: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cognitive Sciences, etc; Prior Experience with Software Development a plus; GPA: 3.0 and above. Required technical skills: JAVA, C, C++, Unix. Recommended technical skills: SQL, CVS, HTML, XML, SLT, OOP.

  • Web Developer

    The LunarOPS website serves as a portal for students, educators, and the general public to request images, locate educational resources, and explore our image database. Web Interns will be responsible for directing the design, development and maintenance of this site. Applicants should minimally have a firm background in HTML, JavaScript, and Unix/Linux; experience with XML, XSLT, PHP, and CSS is preferred, but not required. While working at LunarOPS, interns will have the opportunity to develop their existing skills, as well as acquire knowledge in new web technologies.

    General Required Skills: Analytical and creative thinkers who are able to work both independently and in collaborative environments; Diligent, responsible, motivated, and organized; Strong social skills and the ability to communicate ideas to others; Good sense of website organization and design; Major in Related Field, such as: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cognitive Sciences, etc…; Prior Experience with Software Development a plus; GPA: 3.0 and above. Required technical skills: Hand coded HTML, JavaScript, Basic Unix/Linux skills. Recommended technical skills: PHP, JSP, CSS, XML/XSLT, Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Acrobat, etc.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • There are options for your status at ISS EarthKAM / LunarOPS: volunteer, full or part-time internships, or academic credit by completing a 199 project through the Academic Internship Program.
  • For those who choose to receive credit for a 199 project through the Academic Internship Program, 1-4 units of internship credit may be obtained based on time commitment.
  • All interns have the opportunity to earn scholarships contingent upon satisfactory work performance, a full-time undergraduate status at UCSD, and a 3.0 GPA.

HOW TO APPLY

Download EarthKAM Application Download LunarOPS Application

Please send your resume, application, and cover letter in Microsoft Word or PDF format to cleong@sallyridescience.com

Applications must be received by April 17, 2009.

ISS EarthKAM and LunarOPS are located in the southeast corner of the first floor of the SERF building. The SERF building is the
large gray building across the street from the back of Warren Lecture Hall.