The LIGO Project is an NSF-supported endeavor to design, build, and operate an astrophysical observatory for the detection and study of gravitational radiation. The observatory includes two sites (Hanford, Washington and Livingston Parish, Louisiana) with laser interferometric detector systems. (More information on LIGO can be found on the LIGO home page, and from "LIGO: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory," A. Abramovici, et al., Science, 256, 325, 1992.)   The aim of the LIGO Summer Undergraduate Research Program is to organize the participation of undergraduate students in research associated with the LIGO Project.

All continuing undergraduate students (i. e. who will be students next year) may apply to the LIGO Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Different projects require different skills and background, and we typically have some projects that are suitable for students who have just completed the freshman year.

Students in the LIGO Summer Program reside either at Caltech or one of the LIGO sites in Washington and Louisiana.

LIGO research projects may cover many areas of science and engineering related to the detection of gravitational radiation, including:

• Laboratory projects in mechanical, laser, optical, and electronic systems
• Modeling and analysis of optomechanical systems
• Software development projects
• Modeling of astrophysical sources of gravitational radiation

Research projects originate from LIGO scientists and engineers, and the list varies a great deal with time. Past undergraduate projects:

2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007
1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001

Upcoming Projects:

2008

Students should apply for the LIGO Summer Program using the application procedure below. Although the LIGO program is run as part of the Student-Faculty Programs at Caltech, applications for the LIGO Summer Programs are submitted directly to LIGO. This is because some amount of coordination of projects within LIGO is necessary, and also because many of our summer students are from outside institutions.

For further information on the LIGO Undergraduate Research Program, contact:

Professor Kenneth G. Libbrecht
Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Caltech 264-33
Pasadena, CA 91125
kgl@caltech.edu

An application must include the following:

• An application form: MS Word   |   pdf
• Two letters of recommendation. It's best if they come from professors that know you well, but this is not required. Have your letter writers place their letters in sealed envelopes, sign across the seal, and return the sealed envelopes to you. You will then send the recommendation letters along with the rest of your application. Please do not have your letters sent separately, or via fax or e-mail.
• Your most recent transcript. An unofficial transcript is fine. If you are accepted into the program, you will be asked to have your college send an official transcript.

Put all the application materials in a single envelope and send it to:

Professor Kenneth G. Libbrecht
LIGO Undergraduate Research Program
Caltech 264-33
Pasadena, CA 91125

If you have questions, see FAQs below, or contact Prof. Libbrecht at kgl@caltech.edu.

Your application must arrive at Caltech on or before February 22, 2008.

The selection committee will be looking for talented, hard-working, enthusiastic students for participation in the LIGO Summer Program. Your application should include information that you believe will best reflect your talents and abilities. Unrelated supporting materials, such as results from prior research activities, etc., may also be included in your application if you wish.

The LIGO Summer Program runs from June 17 through August 22, 2008. These dates are somewhat flexible, depending on a student's particular circumstances. It is also possible to work longer than the standard 10 weeks of the program (for more pay), if this is arranged in advance.

If I am graduating in the spring of 2008, am I eligible for the LIGO summer program?
No. We only accept continuing undergraduate students.

Can I start working before the start date?
Probably not at Caltech; maybe at the LIGO sites. Caltech is on a quarter system, and the dorms are fully occupied the end of the academic year. Thus we usually cannot house summer students before the program start date.

Can I work longer than 10 weeks?
Possibly; this needs to be worked out with your mentor after you've been accepted, and depends on your project. If you work longer than 10 weeks, you will be paid accordingly.

If I don't have both recommendations letters in time, can I still send in my application?
Partial applications will be considered, as long as they arrive before the application deadline. It's better to send us something on time than a complete application late. Late applications will not be considered except in special circumstance.

Do you take rising sophomores (who will be sophomores next year) into your program?
We usually take one or two rising sophomores each year. Most projects benefit from having a more extensive physics background, however, so we tend to give preference to rising juniors and seniors.

Do you take international students?
Yes. Some of our funding is restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, but some is not. We typically take several international students each year.

Students in the LIGO Summer program receive a $6,000 stipend. The schedule of stipend payments will be communicated prior to the start of the summer.

Students in the LIGO Summer Program assigned to Caltech may live in Caltech housing during the program. The cost is approximately $15 per day, although rates will not be finalized until late spring. There is no board contract but there is a cafeteria on campus. Non-Caltech students cannot move into Caltech housing before mid-June. More information on Caltech housing is available here. Housing at LIGO's Hanford and Livingston sites will be provided, at a charge that is approximately the same as Caltech housing. Also, arrangements will be made for daily transportation to and from the sites.

Transportation to and from Caltech/Hanford/Livingston at the beginning and end of the program can probably be provided in full for all students. If there are insufficient funds for this, partial funding will be provided to cover transportation costs.