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 https://www.nist.gov/surf.
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 https://www.nist.gov/iaao/surf-program-research-opportunities-boulder-colorado. 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
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
SURF participants do not earn benefits.
This position is with National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce.
The posted pay range is $6390 – $7810.
Applications close on 2027-01-26.
This is a Students work 8 hrs daily, M-F, 8:30am-5pm, or daily start & end times as agreed upon w their mentor. Students are not eligible for paid time off. For unavoidable absences, flexible hours (such as 4 ten-hour days) are allowed w mentor pre-approval. position.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-16 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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