Intern, Research Practicum

Department: STEAD

Location: Arlington, VA

About Us:

VT-ARC, a technical services and applied research company, has built an organizational culture marked by four primary values: Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Service. Integral to our success is our staff’s enthusiasm for solving tough problems by working together in teams to get the job done. We foster a culture where every employee’s contribution is valued and performed with integrity while maintaining a fun work environment. VT-ARC strives for excellence in all that is done for our clients, and such achievement is recognized through service/merit awards. Moreover, we promote a sense of community larger than VT-ARC alone, where staff and institutional resources can be applied in service to our country.

We are proud to be the recipient of the Best Workplace in Defense Award by Emergent Magazine, an honor that recognizes companies with positive cultures that not only impact their people but also make a meaningful difference in the community.

Position Overview:

VT-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

Desired 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. With unique access to the broad and rich research enterprise found at Virginia Tech, VT-ARC forms multi-disciplinary teams to apply innovative solutions to the real-world problems that strain our social, political, industrial, and economic foundations.

To learn more about VT-ARC’s Benefits, Perks, Culture & more visit our Careers page: https://vt-arc.org/careers/

Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. As a federal contractor, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunity and affirmative action for qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at hr@vt-arc.org

Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.E-Verify.gov.