The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks current high school juniors and seniors for the Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP). This vacancy announcement is for in-person fellowships in Gaithersburg, MD. A separate application is available on USAjobs for in-person fellowships in Boulder, CO. Learn more at https://www.nist.gov/iaao/academic-affairs-office/high-school-students-ship.
The SHIP program provides research opportunities for students to work with internationally known NIST scientists and engineers, to expose them to cutting-edge research and explore research careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
SHIP gives students an opportunity to: Gain substantive experience related to academic interests 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 with interest in 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 one of the participating laboratories.
The following laboratories participate in SHIP: Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Engineering Laboratory (EL) Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) As part of the application process, all applicants must select a first-choice host laboratory for placement consideration.
Applicants should carefully choose host laboratories because the completed application is considered primarily by the first-choice host laboratory. Descriptions of the types of research going on at NIST can be found at www.nist.gov/careers/summer-high-school-intern-program-research. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of NIST's research, we encourage students to look through the different laboratory websites to discover interesting project areas.
All students must work in person at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD, for the entire appointment.
While duties and responsibilities may vary by laboratory, all students must: Work with their mentor on a designated research project Compose and submit an abstract halfway through the program summarizing their research project Create and present a poster during the final week of the program Attend a closing celebration on the last day of the program SHIP participants are invited and strongly encouraged to Attend a technical seminar series Participate in professional development and other group activities
Currently enrolled as a high school junior or senior (at time of application) at an accredited high school Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale Submit all materials by the closing date of the announcement
SHIP participants do not earn benefits. SHIP is a student volunteer program. It does not confer any employment status. During their tenure at NIST, students will not be paid, and must provide their own housing and transportation.
This position is with National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce.
The posted pay range is $0 – $0.
Applications close on 2027-02-09.
This is a Full-time, 40-hrs/wk, June 21-Aug 6. Students work 8 hrs/day, M-F, 8:30AM to 5PM, or as arranged w the mentor. Students are not eligible for paid time off. For unavoidable absences, flexible hrs (such as 4 ten-hr days) are allowed w mentor approval. position.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-11-01 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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