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Summer Lab Intern Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

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Summer Lab Intern information

See Washington, DC salary details

$10

$19

$27

How much do summer lab intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer lab intern in Washington, DC is $19.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $21.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a summer lab intern?

Summer Lab Interns are typically students or recent graduates who work temporarily in a laboratory setting during the summer months. They assist with scientific research, experiments, and data collection under the guidance of experienced lab staff. These internships provide hands-on experience and exposure to laboratory techniques, often helping interns decide on future career paths in science. Responsibilities can vary depending on the lab, but usually include maintaining equipment, recording observations, and supporting ongoing research projects.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a summer lab intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Summer Lab Intern, you can expect to participate in a variety of hands-on projects that support ongoing research within the lab. Your daily tasks may include preparing samples, conducting experiments under supervision, collecting and analyzing data, and assisting with equipment maintenance. Collaboration is key, as you’ll often work closely with graduate students, technicians, and principal investigators who will guide your learning and help you develop essential lab skills. Interns are usually encouraged to ask questions, contribute to team meetings, and may have opportunities to present their findings. This role offers a great foundation for understanding real-world research environments and can open doors for future academic or professional pursuits in science.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a summer lab intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Summer Lab Intern, you generally need foundational knowledge in science or engineering, strong analytical skills, and enrollment in a relevant degree program. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and software tools like Excel or data analysis platforms is often required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and eagerness to learn are key soft skills that help interns stand out. These skills and qualities ensure safe, accurate experimentation, effective teamwork, and meaningful contributions to ongoing research projects.

What is the difference between Summer Lab Intern vs Summer Research Assistant?

AspectSummer Lab InternSummer Research Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically undergraduate student, some labs prefer coursework in relevant science fieldsUsually undergraduate or graduate students with some research experience
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, assisting with experiments and data collectionResearch projects, often more independent, supporting senior researchers
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, biotech companiesUniversities, research labs, government agencies

The Summer Lab Intern role generally targets undergraduate students gaining initial research experience, focusing on assisting with lab tasks. The Summer Research Assistant position often involves more independent work and is suitable for students with some prior research background. Both roles are valuable for building research skills but differ in responsibilities and experience level.

What are the most commonly searched types of Summer Lab jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Summer Lab jobs in Washington, DC are:

Summer Lab Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Summer Lab Intern job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 27% Internship, 55% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 9% Temporary. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,134 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Intern: Test Integration Engineer

Acquired Data Solutions

Rockville, MD • On-site

Part-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Intern / Co-op: Test/Integration Engineer - Hardware/Software

Job Summary/Description

Acquired Data Solutions is seeking an engineering intern with automated programming experience.
Candidates must be familiar with test and measure instruments used in laboratories and manufacturing
test environments.

Programming experience in LabVIEW and/or Python are highly desirable. Multiple
positions are available in the summer and fall semesters.


Minimum Qualifications

● Enrollment in, or recent graduate of, accredited degree program in Science, Technology,
Engineering, or Math (STEM)


Desired Skills and Experience

  • Familiarity with operation and automation/programming of Lab and Manufacturing Test Measurement equipment such as:
    1. Digital Oscilloscope
    2. Analog and Digital I/O (input/output)
    3. RF Instrumentation (Power Meter, Spectrum Analyzer, Vector Signal Transceiver)
    4. Signal generator
  • Programming experience:
    1. National Instruments LabVIEW and/or TestStand
    2. Python
    3. C, C#
  • Familiarity with RF (radio frequency) concepts is desired
  • U.S. Citizenship and ability to access US only data systems


Candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

  1. Current college student, with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above, who is attending a Maryland or higher education institution.
  2. Current college student, with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above, who is Maryland high school graduate attending a higher education institution outside of Maryland.
  3. Graduate (within 12 months) of a Maryland higher education institution.
  4. Maryland resident, with a 2 or 4-year degree, who has been honorably discharged from the U.S.
  5. Armed Forces, The National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces within the last 18 months.


Questions:
1. Please describe your favorite LabVIEW project that you’ve been a part of, and your role in it


2. Please discuss any experience you have using National Instruments hardware combined with LabVIEW, LabVIEW Real-Time, and LabVIEW FPGA


3. Do you have experience with object-oriented programming and the actor framework?