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Student Experience

Learn more about volunteer & internship opportunities at the STAFS facility

join the team

Students gain hands‑on experience in forensic science through direct involvement in research, casework support, and field training. Working alongside faculty and practitioners, they develop practical skills in human remains recovery, laboratory analysis, and data collection, while contributing to ongoing studies that strengthen real‑world forensic practice. This immersive environment prepares students for advanced academic work and careers across the medicolegal field.

 

How to Apply

If you are interested in volunteering or interning at the STAFS Facility, please complete the STAFS application and email it to stafs@shsu.edu.

Application

Your application will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the final decision by email. 

Questions?

Contact us!

Ph: 936-294-2310 

Email:  stafs@shsu.edu 

SPRING SEMESTER 2027

Applications Due: Nov. 6th 2026

Final Decisions By: Nov. 30th 2026

Start Date: Jan. 19th 2027

End Date: April 29th 2027 

SUMMER SEMESTER 2027

Applications Due: April 2nd 2027

Final Decisions By: April 30th 2027

Start Date: May 24th 2027

End Date: July 30th 2027

FALL SEMESTER 2027

Applications Due: July 2nd 2027

Final Decisions By: July 30th 2027

Start Date: Aug. 23rd 2027

End Date: Dec. 2nd 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

New STAFS volunteers should be prepared to commit to a minimum of 2 full shifts per week on a semester basis. A full shift consists of volunteering at STAFS from 8am-5pm with a one-hour lunch break. A returning volunteer who has recently received full STAFS training has more flexibility with minimum schedule commitment requirements.

Internship time requirements vary depending on which program and university you are applying from. STAFS requires interns to commit to a minimum of 3 full shifts per week on a semester basis. A full shift consists of interning at STAFS from 8am-5pm with a one-hour lunch break.

Normal business hours: Monday-Friday, from 8am to 5pm. STAFS observes all university holidays.

This program focuses on students interested in the forensic sciences, including anthropology, biology, chemistry, etc. Tasks range from processing skeletal remains, body donation placements and skeletal recoveries, donor curation & collection upkeep, to maintaining databases, filing, and data entry. Experience level with human osteology is a major factor in determining your role with STAFS.

All volunteers and interns are required to complete a confidentiality, liability & photo agreement, emergency contact form, HEP B Vaccination disclosure form, and blood-borne pathogens training.

It is highly recommended that you have health insurance, whether personally issued health care or through your university.

There is an online training that must be completed on exposure risks associated with human materials and the general safety precautions that should be taken if accepted.

Most volunteers & interns will be trained to handle material that is of low risk for any biological agents. The most common risks include mishandling of sharp implements, pulled muscles, and tripping hazards.

The liability waiver serves to inform the volunteer/intern of the risks involved in volunteering & interning with this type of research and to relinquish STAFS of any liability.

The research conducted at the STAFS is highly sensitive and requires strict confidentiality to maintain the integrity of not only the STAFS program and research, but the donors and their families too. 

Contact STAFS

Hours of Operation & Location

8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

PO Box 2529, Huntsville, TX 77341

Phone:

936-294-2310