Space Visualization Laboratory Intern

Space Visualization Laboratory Undergraduate Intern

Full-Time Temporary

About the Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium connects people to the universe and each other. Whether introducing a guest to the Ring Nebula a neighborhood school to a community partner a research team to a network of citizen scientists or one staff member to another the Adlers focus on meaningful connections dates back nearly a century.

Today the museum typically hosts more than half a million visitors annually and reaches millions more through youth STEAM programs neighborhood skywatching events online citizen science and other outreach efforts. With Adlers support people of all ages backgrounds and abilities gain the confidence to explore their universe together and return to their communities ready to think critically and creatively about any challenge that comes their way.

The Position

The Adler Planetarium is seeking a Space Visualization Laboratory (SVL) Undergraduate Intern to join our dynamic team on Chicagos Museum Campus. The SVL Undergraduate Intern will perform visualization work maintain the SVL Astronomy Conversations database and engage in public outreach within the SVL. This will be performed using OpenSpace an open-source interactive data visualization software designed to visualize the known universe and investigate the cosmos. The intern will assist in creating immersive scientific visualization content and in presenting it to the particular the intern will prototype and document new visualizations in OpenSpace showcase their work to staff and the visiting public and host Astronomy Conversations.

This individual will also be responsible for:

With support and guidance from their supervisor learning how to use OpenSpace an open-source interactive data visualization software

Assisting in creating immersive scientific visualization content using OpenSpace

In collaboration with staff Astronomers host Astronomy Conversations in the SVL

Creating documentation on existing visualizations and new visualizations for the SVL database.

The Work Schedule

Starting early/mid June 2026 Monday through Friday 9-4 pm 35 hours a week. This is a 10-week internship.

The Compensation & Benefits

Base Pay Range: $18.02/per hour

Work-Life Balance

• 35-hour workweek

• Eligible to accrue up to 6 vacation days per year

• 3 sick days as of date of hire (can accrue up to 6.5 days per year)

• Eligible to earn time and a half for working on any of the 7 Adler observed holidays

• Flexible work arrangements

• Paid Family Bereavement Leave & Jury Duty

• Paid Parental Leave

Commuter flexible spending account

Retirement Savings Plan

• 403B plan with Adler match

• Adlers match is 100% vested immediately

• Eligible to enroll as of the date of hire

Network of Support through our EAP programs

• Resources to help address emotional legal and financial issues

• Face-to-face telephonic and web-based services

• Free subscription to the Calm Premium app

Employee Loan Program

Discounted Onsite Parking Program

Free Entrance to Chicago area museums and cultural institutions

The Person

We are looking for an individual with a basic understanding of Astronomy solid computer skills and experience in public outreach. The individual should have excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Required Qualifications:

Must be a current or graduating undergraduate student majoring in Astronomy Physics Computer Science or a related field

Comfortable using and learning new technologies

Knowledge of or willing to learn G-Suite applications OpenSpace and Slack

Comfortable with learning a new visualization software package

Comfortable speaking with the general public in a professional manner

General astronomy knowledge (or willingness to learn)

1-month experience conducting public outreach

1-year experience coding in any language

Preferred Qualifications:

Completed or starting 3rd year of undergraduate degree

1-year experience conducting public outreach

1-year experience working with database structures

1-2 years of Astronomy coursework

The Adler Planetarium is dedicated to complying with its Equal Opportunity Employer obligations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by federal state or local law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process please email the Human Resources Department atand provide the nature of your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.