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Become an NSE Comm Lab Fellow!

The NSE Comm Lab offers writing, speaking, and visual design support for technical communication — papers, presentations, figures, fellowships, faculty application packages, and more. Our Fellows are trained grad students and postdocs from AeroAstro, so they have technical depth as well as honed communication skills.

We are seeking new members who are interested in mentoring, improving their own communication and teaching skills, and who have a wide diversity of skills to join our team this Spring! NSE-affiliated PhD students and postdocs who plan to be at MIT through at least Spring 2026 are encouraged to apply to be a Communication Fellow (including international students!). This paid position is a great way to help your peers and to develop your own communication skills.

You do not need to already be an expert in technical communication to apply. This is a great professional development opportunity through trainings, mentoring, resource creation, teaching, and more for anyone interested in improving their communication skills.

*International students are also eligible to be Comm Fellows and get paid!
(with approval of your HR Administrator and International Scholars Office)

 

View and Submit the Application Here by Thursday, February 13, 11:59 P.M. Eastern time. (Note: Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis)

What does an NSE Comm Fellow Do:

  • Provide 1-on-1 coaching for technical communication tasks (papers, talks, grad school applications, etc.)
  • Develop and implement communication-related workshops, create content for the NSE Comm Lab website, and other short or long-term Comm Lab projects designed to meet communication needs of the department
  • Participate in monthly team meetings and bi-weekly 1-1 meetings with the Comm Lab Manager
  • Participate in extensive hands-on training in communication and coaching skills (one 2 hour session every 1-2 months over the first year in the program)
  • Access exclusive professional development events and personalized 1-on-1 mentorship
  • Contribute 3-5 hours/week towards Comm Lab related activities
  • Get paid for you work! Earn up to $3000/year.

Important Dates

February 13, 2025 – Applications due at 11:59 P.M. ET
February 11-24, 2025 – Candidates invited to interview (interviews will begin earlier on a rolling basis as applications are submitted)
February 26, 2025 – Candidates notified of final acceptance decision
March 3, 2025 – New Fellows officially join the Comm Lab

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Who is eligible to apply?

    Graduate students and postdocs affiliated with MIT NSE (enrolled in an AeroAstro degree program and/or a member of an NSE lab) who plan to be at MIT through at least May 2025 are invited to apply. If you have questions about your eligibility, contact us.

  2. Are international students and postdocs eligible?

    Many Communication Fellows have been international students and postdocs. International students will need the approval of their HR administrator and the International Scholars Office in order to become a Comm Fellow.

  3. I need help with my own communication skills. Can I still apply?

    Yes! While we are looking for candidates who have some experience with various forms of technical communication, you do not need to be a perfect communicator to be a Communication Fellow. We are looking for candidates who will be able to share new skills with our team and are excited to learn. We believe that even the best communicators can and should continue to improve, and the program is designed to help you do that.

  4. What do you look for in a Communication Fellow?

    Some of the things we look for in a Communication Fellow are technical communication skills, interpersonal communication skills, teaching skills and experience, an interest in communication, a desire to help others, and a growth mindset.

If you have additional questions, please contact us.

 

View and Submit the Application Here