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 Adler’s 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 Adler’s 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 Chicago's 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 public. In 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

• Adler's 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 at recruiting@adlerplanetarium.org and provide the nature of your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.