2026 Internship Opportunities

Sub-Saharan Africa hosts the earliest known evidence of modern human behaviors starting ~300 thousand years ago (ka)1–3, while the transition to and proliferation of more complex cultural material may also co-occur with the successful geographic range expansion of H. sapiens4–6 of out Africa. However, the role of H. sapiens in bringing cultural innovation to Eurasia is debated in part due to the lack of precise dating on either human fossils and/or archaeological sites. While many sites hosting these technologies remain poorly dated at present, they also host ostrich eggshells (OES) which may be dated by a novel application of uranium (U)-series dating called 230Th/U burial dating. A first-order goal to answer outstanding questions about these archaeological transitions and their relation to human dispersals requires precise dating of relevant archaeological and fossil deposits. Eggshells from archaeological sites are available for geochronology and other isotope measurements.

The interns selected in these roles will prepare eggshell samples from archaeological sites for 230Th/U geochronology. The students will use physical sample preparation (cutting with a circular water saw, dremel abrasion, cleaning in ultrasonic baths) to prepare eggshell samples. They will also prepare cuts of eggshells for laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to evaluate the concentration of major and trace elements in eggshell samples. The students will work alongside graduate student Damon Dai to collect this data and prepare samples.

Students will learn how to use preparation tools (circular water saw, dremel, ultrasonic bath, balance, polishing papers) and make laser ablation mounts (mix epoxy, cure and polish mounts). Students will learn to take laser ablation ICP-MS data and process the data. Students will learn laboratory safety and proper use of PPE in a trace metal free clean laboratory.

Basic chemistry and physics required; GEO 203 preferred; STEM or archaeology major preferred.

Attention to detail and careful working demeanor required. Any training using the tools mentioned before is a significant advantage.

Sitting and working with hands (dremel abrasion) for 2+ hour sessions; sitting and standing repeatedly; working in tyvek "bunny suit" in the clean lab.

Students do not need their own laptop but if they have one, it will be useful for data processing.

• Students will meet with internship mentors in the spring, prior to the internship start date. Reading materials may also be provided.
• Students are responsible for securing accommodations for the duration of their internship. On-campus summer housing is typically available the first week of June until the first week of August (details to become available in Spring 2026). If the internship falls outside of on-campus housing availability, students will need to secure alternate housing.