Current students interested in ESPL’s research areas should consider taking a course taught by Prof. Roberts or visiting his office hours (after you make sure he’s on campus first!). Those interested in pursuing an appointment in the lab should review the available positions posted below and write to Prof. Roberts with a brief statement of research interests and a CV.
Prof. Roberts’ Courses
Prof. Roberts teaches courses at Georgia Tech’s Sam Nunn School of International Affairs (INTA) and Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering (AE) on topics at the intersection of space technology and policy:
Available Positions in the Lab
Students interested in research appointments in ESPL should review the available positions below before preparing their statement of research interests and CV.
Roles in ESPL for Georgia Tech Students
ESPL offers multiple avenues for engagement for current Georgia Tech students, ranging from informal participation to funded research positions. The most common ways to get involved are outlined below.
Observer
Attend lab meetings to gain familiarity with ongoing projects and research areas. This role is an entry point for students interested in exploring research projects in the future.
Directed Study
Conduct a research project for AE or INTA course credit, or through the Federal Work-Study program for hourly pay, if eligible. Project topics are developed in consultation with Prof. Roberts and must be approved in advance by the respective School’s academic programs office, in adherence to their independent deadlines. Interested students in AE and INTA should contact their School’s academic program manager early to learn more about expected timelines and required first steps.
Research Assistant
Support a specific lab project as a Georgia Tech employee. Hourly Research Assistant roles (primarily for master’s and undergraduate students) are generally offered to students who have completed a directed study or have taken a course with Prof. Roberts. Semesterly Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) roles for PhD students are stipended and tied to funded research projects. Semesterly Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) roles are reserved for awardees in the President’s Undergraduate Research Awards (PURA) program.
Fellow
Hold an external fellowship (e.g., NSF GRFP, NDSEG) while working towards a doctoral dissertation related to one or more of the lab’s research areas.
Guidance for Prospective PhD Students
ESPL is recruiting PhD students for AY26-27 in both Aerospace Engineering (AE) and International Affairs (INTA). External applicants who would like to be considered for an appointment in ESPL should indicate their interest in working with Prof. Roberts in their application to either School’s doctoral program. In AE, Prof. Roberts is affiliated with the Flight Mechanics & Controls and Systems Design & Optimization disciplines; in INTA, he is affiliated with the International Security and International Affairs, Science, and Technology tracks. Admissions decisions are made through the Schools’ formal application processes.
Prospective students are also encouraged to review their eligibility and apply for external fellowships prior to admission. Examples include:
- The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP);
- The Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG);
- The Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF);
- The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans;
- The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship; and
- Others identified by Georgia Tech’s Office of Graduate and Postgraduate Education.
Early fellowship preparation helps students better understand their own research interests and earn experience preparing grant proposals. External candidates are encouraged to seek advice on preparing fellowship applications from their undergraduate institution’s office of undergraduate or graduate education. Georgia Tech students and alumni can seek advice on the prestigious fellowship application process from the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success’ Prestigious Fellowships Advisor.