Each summer some members of the Grinnell Physics Department hire students to work with them on research. The usual arrangement is for ten weeks, but other possibilities exist. Except in exceptional circumstances the students are paid for this work; housing is not provided but is readily available. The summer positions can be for credit, either Mentored Advanced Project (MAP, 499) or Directed Summer Research (299 or 399), or not for credit.

The kinds of positions vary from year to year but are generally described in a Physics Department seminar in late February or early March. The next step is for students to talk with faculty members with whom they might like to work. Students then submit a common Science Division application form and the first round of appointments are made before spring break. Usually the number of applicants for physics and astronomy positions exceeds the number of positions available, so students should not count on this option but should apply to other places as well.