The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks undergraduate students for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. The Boulder location may offer both in-person and virtual fellowships. Additional vacancies are open for fellowships in Gaithersburg, MD (vacancy #SURF-2025-0001) and Charleston, SC (vacancy #SURF-2025-0003). Applicants may apply to all vacancies and use the same documents for all applications. Learn more at https://www.nist.gov/surf.
We are looking for students interested in gaining valuable, hands-on experience working with cutting-edge technology in one of the world’s leading research organizations. Additional preference will be given to students who possess the following qualities: Strong computer and laboratory skills A high level of motivation and a positive inquisitive workplace demeanor Interest in conducting technical research in a federal laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, or virtually Interest in pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) Ability to commit to eleven (11) full continuous weeks, or a minimum of nine (9) full weeks (Monday through Friday) during the summer; due to the short length of the program, students are not eligible for paid time off. Additionally, we encourage applications from groups underrepresented in STEM, including those who self-identify as a woman, African American, Black, Hispanic, Latinx, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, a person with a disability, and/or LGBTQI+. We also consider the impact participating in SURF will have on an applicant's future career in research.
The SURF program provides research opportunities for students to work with internationally known NIST scientists, 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 seeks 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 NIST Operating Units (OUs). The following OUs 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 https://www.nist.gov/iaao/surf-program-research-opportunities-boulder-colorado. For in-person fellowships, all students must work at the NIST campus in Boulder, CO for the entire appointment. For virtual fellowships, all students must work remotely for the entire appointment. While duties and responsibilities may vary by laboratory, all students must, in a format (in-person or virtual) consistent with their fellowship: Work with their mentor on a designated research project Attend a technical seminar series Participate in professional development and group activities Compose and submit an abstract halfway through the program summarizing research accomplishments Deliver an oral presentation during the final week of the program