Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program - Boulder, CO (STEM Fields)

About the role

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks undergraduate students for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. This vacancy announcement is for in-person fellowships in Boulder, CO. An additional vacancy announcement is open for in-person fellowships in Gaithersburg, MD (vacancy #SURF-2027-0001).

Applicants may apply to both vacancies and use the same documents for all applications. Learn more at ***

What you will do

• The SURF program provides research opportunities for students to work with internationally known NIST scientists and engineers, to expose them to cutting-edge research and promote the pursuit of advanced degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
• SURF gives students an opportunity to: Gain substantive career experience related to academic interests Acquire lifelong leadership, management, and analytical skills Learn about a career in public service Build professional relationships, contacts, and networks Observe the daily operations and working environment of a premier federal laboratory Imagine Yourself in the NIST Laboratories NIST welcomes students from a broad range of STEM disciplines, including but not limited to biochemistry, biology, biophysics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron research, physics, and statistics.
• Students work under the guidance of a research mentor in in one of the participating laboratories.
• The following laboratories participate in the SURF Boulder program: Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) As part of the application process, all applicants must identify and select first through fourth choice projects for placement consideration.
• Applicants should carefully choose projects because the completed application is considered primarily for first through third choice projects.
• Due to the multidisciplinary nature of NIST's research, we encourage students to look through the different laboratory websites to discover interesting project areas.
• For example, a computer science student may find project opportunities in CTL, PML, and MML in addition to the logical choice of ITL.
• Similar opportunities exist for those in other disciplines.
• For a detailed description of SURF projects in each NIST laboratory and prior acceptance rates, students are encouraged to review laboratory descriptions and acceptance rates at ***
• All students must work at the NIST campus in Boulder, CO for the entire appointment.
• While duties and responsibilities may vary by laboratory, all students must: Attend Orientation Work with their mentor on a designated research project Attend the SURF seminar series Compose and submit an abstract halfway through the program summarizing research accomplishments Deliver an oral presentation during the final week of the program

Requirements

• Provide proof that they are a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident Birth certificate or current passport or unexpired green card is required Driver's license or state identification is NOT acceptable for this requirement Provide proof of health insurance At least 18 years of age by June 2, 2027 Able to pass a background check Receive payments by direct deposit

Education

Currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate (first-year, sophomore, junior, or senior) degree-seeking student at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university in the U.S. or U.S. territories Strongly preferred to be an undergraduate majoring in a STEM discipline including but not limited to biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering (including nuclear), geology, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, or physics with rigorous academic coursework relevant to grade level (first-year, sophomore, junior, senior) Good academic standing (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale preferred) You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

Unless otherwise stated, unofficial transcripts that display current enrollment status are acceptable Submit all materials by the closing date of the announcement

How you will be evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, your questionnaire responses and supporting documents will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your questionnaire responses and supporting documents will be forwarded to a review committee for additional review.

If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Note: The number of offers to participate in the program is contingent upon the availability of funds and projects.

Your qualifications will also be evaluated on the following criteria: Fit of the undergraduate student's stated interest and commitment to priorities and objectives of NIST and the SURF program Fit of the undergraduate student's interests and abilities to the available NIST research projects and when appropriate, to the research priorities of NIST scientists and engineers in the specified laboratory program Relevance of the student's course of study to the program objectives of the specified NIST laboratory in which that SURF program resides Evaluation of academic accomplishments.

Note: A cumulative minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is recommended for all completed courses taken as an undergraduate student at the current institution and at any institutions attended as an undergraduate student during the 5 years preceding the start of the most recent enrollment (This does not include college or university courses taken while solely a high school student.) Quality of accomplishments to date Assessment of whether the laboratory experience is an opportunity for the student which may encourage future postgraduate training, especially if the applicant has not had a similar opportunity previously You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• Items 3-7 must be uploaded through the documents selection section.
• PDF is the preferred format for all submitted documents.): 1.
• Responses to the online questions.
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from references, preferably professors, department heads, previous internship mentors, or academic advisers familiar with the applicant's education, training, experience, aptitude, and promise relevant to the SURF Program.
• We recommend entering references' personal email addresses into the application portal to avoid firewall issues.
• Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify their references through the online application system.
• References will receive instructions on the content of their letters and they must upload their letters via the online application module no later than 3 days after the vacancy closes.
• Resume that includes professional and research experience.
• Uploaded pdf is the preferred format.
• Undergraduate transcript.
• You must submit college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) showing your name, the name of your university(s), all courses completed, and cumulative GPA.
• Additionally, the transcript must verify proof of your enrollment.
• Submitted transcripts must have all Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) before uploading into the application system.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency.
• Acceptable forms of proof of U.S. Citizenship include a Certified Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship, Consular Report of Birth (of U.S. citizen) Abroad, or Certification of Birth; Acceptable form of U.S. permanent residency is an unexpired green card.
• Note: Social security cards and driver's licenses do not meet the requirements for proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Submitted proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency must have all Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) before uploading into the application system.
• Proof of health insurance coverage by including a copy of a valid insurance card.
• Personal statement: The personal statement is the opportunity for NIST staff to learn more about the student and why he/she should be selected for a fellowship in the SURF Program.
• Students are encouraged to compose a personal statement that includes the following: Commitment to participate in the program and work in a laboratory environment Description of relevant coursework and/or research experience Description of prioritized research interests Expectation of personal benefit from participating in the program Career goals Students must submit all required documentation no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement to be considered for review.
• PDF is the preferred format for all submitted documents.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered for review in the SURF program.
• It is highly recommended you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.

Benefits

SURF participants do not earn benefits.

What to expect next

NIST SURF will conduct an initial review of applications received by the closing date of this announcement to determine the undergraduate student's eligibility and application completeness and will eliminate those applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-responsive based.

At any time between March 1, 2027, and April 2, 2027, eligible students may receive an offer (by email) for a fellowship. Students are encouraged to investigate what type of research is currently going on at NIST, and may contact potential mentors at their own discretion. All applicants will be notified by email of their application status by April 15, 2027.

Additional information

If selected, you are required to complete a background investigation suitability check Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***)