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

Summary

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-2026-0001). Applicants may apply to both vacancies and use the same documents for all applications. Learn more at

Duties

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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 :

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 :

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Applicants must meet all the following requirements to be eligible for a fellowship :

Birth certificate or current passport or unexpired green card is required

Qualifications

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 :

Education

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

SURF participants do not earn benefits.