Prospective Intern Guide
1. Welcome & Overview
Thank you for your interest in IACS! We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute based in Santa Monica, CA, using experiential technology to promote human flourishing. Our work spans meditation neuroscience, aesthetic chills, neuromodulation (including transcranial focused ultrasound), immersive audiovisual experiences, floatation-REST, VR-based interventions, and consciousness studies broadly.
We regularly host unpaid research interns from UCLA and other institutions. UCLA undergraduates typically join through the Psych 195 (Fieldwork) or Psych 196 (Research) course series for academic credit. Students from other universities can arrange internships for their own institution’s credit or simply as a research experience.
This page is designed to answer all of your questions upfront so that when you contact us, we can jump straight into matching you with a project.
To learn more about who we are, our team, and our published work: IACS Website
2. Before You Reach Out
1) Browse the IACS website
Familiarize yourself with our mission, our team, and our published research (available in the “Proceedings” section). Read at least a few of our papers to understand the flavor of the work we do.
2) Review our active projects and outstanding tasks.
This is the most important step. We maintain a public Confluence page listing all current projects and specific tasks available for interns. Please review it carefully and identify one or more specific projects or tasks that match your interests and skills.
3) Reflect on what you want out of this experience.
Think about whether you’re most drawn to data analysis, data collection, literature reviews, manuscript writing, programming, or some combination. The more clearly you can articulate your goals, the better we can match you.
When you email us, please include: (a) which project(s) and/or task(s) from the Confluence page interest you most, (b) what skills you bring (e.g., Python, R, EEG familiarity, writing experience), (c) your availability and how many hours per week you can commit, and (d) your CV/resume. Email nicco@advancedconsciousness.org.
3) Data Collection & Lab Capabilities
In addition to project-specific analytical and writing tasks, all interns are always welcome to assist with active data collection efforts. IACS maintains both on-site lab infrastructure and field-deployable equipment for off-site studies. Depending on what studies are running during your time with us, you may have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the following:
Many studies also involve administering behavioral questionnaires (e.g., 5D-ASC, MAIA-S, FFMQ), cognitive tasks, heartbeat detection tasks, and qualitative interviews. Interns assist with form creation, data entry, scoring, and administration.
On-Site vs. Off-Site
Our primary lab is at 2811 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 510, Santa Monica, CA 90403. Some studies also involve off-site data collection — for example, large-scale concert studies, field deployments with wearable sensors, or collaborations with other institutions. Depending on the study, interns may participate in both on-site and off-site collection sessions.
4) What to Expect as an Intern
Work Structure
The position is hybrid. Most analytical and writing tasks can be completed remotely, with periodic opportunities to work on-site at our Santa Monica office and participate in data collection sessions (recommended). You’ll be given a set of tasks and will work at your own pace within the timeframe of your internship.
Communication
All interns are added to the IACS Slack workspace. This is your primary communication channel. You will be able to message Dr. Reggente (one-on-one) as well as communicate with the junior and senior scientists working on the projects that interest you. We also have a dedicated intern channel where you can see what other interns are working on and connect with each other.
Independence & Support
Skills to Develop Beforehand
If you want to engage in data analysis, familiarity with Python or R is highly recommended. If you’re more interested in manuscript writing, literature reviews, or data collection, no programming background is needed. Either way, reading our published papers ahead of time is the best preparation you can do.
5) What Past Interns Have Accomplished
The depth of your experience depends entirely on your engagement and initiative. Past IACS interns have gone on to achieve the following:
- First-author publications in peer-reviewed journals based on data analysis and writing conducted during their internship
- Co-authored publications contributing to ongoing manuscripts
- Conference posters presented at academic meetings
- Hands-on EEG, physiological, and VR data collection experience
- Strong letters of recommendation for graduate school, medical school, and fellowships
- Direct mentorship with PhD-level scientists working at the frontier of consciousness research
6) Paperwork & Logistics
UCLA Students (Psych 195/196 Series)
If you are a UCLA student enrolling for course credit, you will need to submit a Course Contract and a Supplemental Form through your department.
Please fill out all paperwork as completely as possible before sending it to Dr. Reggente. All he should need to do is date and sign. Fill in all student information, course details, and site supervisor information using the details in the card below. You can find additional IACS organizational details on our website.
Once your forms are complete (with your student ID, course information, dates, etc.), email them to nicco@advancedconsciousness.org and they will be signed and returned. Please allow a few days — we’re often very busy, so a polite follow-up is always welcome if needed.
All Interns
If your home institution requires supervisor paperwork, internship agreements, or verification letters, please send them to Dr. Reggente pre-populated with as much information as you can. We are happy to sign whatever your institution needs — we just ask that you do the legwork of filling them out first.
Site Supervisor Information for Forms:
Name: Nicco Reggente, PhD
Title: Research Director
Organization: Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies
Address: 2811 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 510, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Phone: (310) 907-9216
Email: nicco@advancedconsciousness.org
Website: advancedconsciousness.org
7) Onboarding & First Week
Here is what the onboarding process looks like once you’ve been accepted:
- Group orientation meeting. Ideally one week before, or at the very start of, your internship, we hold a group meeting with all incoming interns and Dr. Reggente. This meeting covers all active projects in the lab, the general cadence of how things work, expectations, and Q&A. Our lab manager, Yaya Shi, will coordinate scheduling for this meeting.
- Slack onboarding. You will be added to the IACS Slack workspace. This is where day-to-day communication happens — you’ll be able to message Dr. Reggente, other scientists, and fellow interns directly.
- Confluence access. You’ll be oriented to our Confluence project wiki where all ongoing projects, documentation, and task assignments live.
- Goal setting. Together, we’ll establish specific goals for your internship based on your interests and the available projects. Then you’re free to work independently with support available whenever you need it.
8) Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this a paid position?
IACS internships are unpaid. UCLA students typically receive course credit through the Psych 195/196 series. In rare cases, a small stipend may be available depending on current funding.
Q: Is the internship in-person, remote, or hybrid?
Hybrid. Most tasks (data analysis, literature review, writing) can be completed remotely. On-site hours at our Santa Monica office are available and recommended, especially for data collection sessions.
Q: How many hours per week are expected?
This depends on your arrangement. For UCLA students, the university typically expects approximately 3 hours per week per unit of credit. For non-UCLA interns, we’ll agree on a reasonable commitment together. We are flexible.
Q: Can I join from a non-UCLA institution?
Absolutely. We welcome students from other universities for quarter-long, semester-long, or summer internships — remote, hybrid, or on-site. The process is more flexible than UCLA’s course-based route. Email us to discuss logistics; we’re happy to sign any paperwork your institution requires.
Q: Can I do this remotely from outside of Los Angeles?
Yes. Many tasks — data analysis, literature review, manuscript writing, coding — can be done entirely remotely. You’ll miss out on data collection opportunities, but remote interns have been productive contributors. You’ll communicate with the team via Slack like any other intern.
Q: When should I reach out?
The earlier the better. Ideally, reach out at least 3–4 weeks before your intended start date so we have time to match you with a project and get any paperwork sorted.
Q: Do I need prior research experience?
No. We welcome students at all levels. What matters most is genuine curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work independently. Programming skills, EEG experience, or writing experience are a bonus — not a prerequisite.
Q: What UCLA courses does this apply to?
Most commonly, Psych 195A/B (Fieldwork in Psychology / Cognitive Science) and Psych 196A/B (Research Apprenticeship). Please confirm with your department which course and section is most appropriate for your major.
Q: Who is my main point of contact?
Before joining: Dr. Nicco Reggente (nicco@advancedconsciousness.org). After joining: You’ll communicate via Slack with Dr. Reggente and the IACS lab manager, Yaya Shi, who coordinates scheduling, onboarding, and records.
Q: What if I want to continue for additional terms?
Many interns continue across multiple quarters or semesters. If you’d like to re-enroll, you’ll need to submit new paperwork for the new term (same process as before). Let us know and we’ll be happy to sign again.
Q: Can I join the Slack before I officially start?
Yes! If you’d like early access to get oriented and see what the intern community looks like, just ask and we can add you ahead of your start date.