LHSI Intern: Smart Home Technology Research Assistant

Program Summary:   

This internship is offered as a part of the Life-Health Sciences Internship Program (LHSI). This program connects 125 IU Indianapolis undergraduates per year with internships on campus with faculty and staff in a variety of health and science related campus areas/programs. All LHSI internships start in August 2025 and end in May 2026 and are paid $13/hour for up to 10 hours per week. Work-study is accepted but not required. 

Supervisor: Dr. Chang Dae Lee (Smart Home Technology)

Department/Office: Health and Human Sciences; Occupational Therapy

Overview of the internship site: Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)? Join our research team to explore the multifaceted aspects of independent living for people with IDD. Our project comprises three interconnected studies, each addressing a critical component of independent living: 1) Psychological Benefits of Independent Living, 2) Factors Affecting Independent Living, and 3) Smart Home Technology Needs.

Website for more information: 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: As an undergraduate researcher, you will be actively involved in data collection and analysis. Your contributions will provide valuable insights and practical recommendations to promote greater independence and well-being for individuals with IDD. We look forward to your participation and the unique perspectives you will bring to our team.

Work Environment and Dress Code: The work is performed primarily in an office setting with dress code: Casual or Smart Casual

Project-specific qualifications: Once you are involved in this research, you must complete one of the following courses through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program: Social/Behavioral/Educational Researchers, Stage 1.

Hours per week: 4-6; flexible within regular work hours

By the end of the LHSI program, you will:

• Carefully consider, explore, and articulate your career goals, including an analysis of how you arrived at that path and what steps you need to take next. (Community Contributor, Communicator)
• Understand your role and strengths on a professional team and analyze who you would like to become as a professional. (Communicator)
• Gain and strengthen skills relevant to next steps after graduation, such as communication, collaboration, teamwork, analysis/synthesis/evaluation, independence, confronting/challenging failure, problem-solving and perseverance, and constructive criticism. (Problem Solver, Communicator)
• Convey ideas and knowledge effectively through an ePortfolio and presentation of your internship work. (Problem Solver, Communicator)
• Set and meet your own additional learning goals identified with your supervisor.

LHSI Qualifications   

• must be graduating May 2027 or after (usually a current freshman or sophomore in Spring 2025)
• Current full time IU Indianapolis undergraduate in 2025-26
• minimum overall GPA of 2.0
• All majors welcome

To apply:

LHSI accepts 125 interns per year. All available sites are listed in Handshake and will start with the position title “LHSI Intern.” Complete the application for LHSI at go.iu.edu/lhsi and list 3-4 internship sites on that application. You will meet with at least 2 of these if selected for interviews.