National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Opportunity Description:

The SURF Program is designed to inspire undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) through a unique research experience that supports the NIST mission. Since 1993, SURF students from across the country have had the opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience, working with cutting edge technology in one of the world's leading research organizations and home to three Nobel Prize winners.

Over the course of 11 weeks, SURF students contribute to the ongoing research of one of the six NIST facilities which are the Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL), Engineering Laboratory (EL), Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), and Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) (which now includes project in the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology).  The SURF Program is administered at the Boulder, CO and Gaithersburg, MD locations.

Primary Responsibilities: 

While duties and responsibilities may vary by laboratory, all accepted students must:

• Complete the program remotely in the United States
• Attend a weekly technical seminar series
• Participate in extramural group activities intended to enrich their fellowship experience
• Compose and submit an abstract half-way through the program summarizing research accomplishments
• Deliver an oral presentation during the final week of the program

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

To be eligible for a fellowship all of the following requirements must be met:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident,
• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Currently enrolled as a full-time degree-seeking student at an accredited institution in the U.S. and its territories. Seniors graduating in May 2022 are eligible to apply to the program.
• Must be in good academic standing (recommended 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale)
• Able to pass background check.
• Able to receive payments by direct deposit.
• Verify proof of health insurance
• Pursuing a STEM related major including but not limited to biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, materials science,
  mathematics, nanoscale science, and/or physics.
• Considering pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.).
• Able to commit to eleven (11) full continuous weeks (Monday through Friday) during the summer of 2022 to participate in the SURF Program. Due to the length of the program, students are not permitted to take vacation.

Applications are especially encouraged from groups underrepresented in STEM, including those who self-identify as a woman, African American, Black, Hispanic, Latinx, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, person with a disability, and/or LGBTQI+. 

Knowledge or skills gained from the experience: 

Participants will have the chance to:

• Gain substantive career experience related to your academic interests,
• Acquire lifelong leadership, management, and analytical skills,
• Learn about a career in public service,
• Build professional relationships, contacts, and networks, and
• Observe the daily operations and working environment of a premier federal laboratory.

Application Process: 

Applications must be submitted through USAJOBS based on the applicant's location of interest. Applicants interested in applying to vacancies in Boulder, CO should apply here. Applicants interested in applying to vacancies in Gaithersburg, MD should apply here.

Your application must include:

1. Responses to the online questions. 
2. Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals (preferably professors, department heads, previous internship mentor, or academic adviser)  familiar with the applicant’s education, training, experience, aptitude, or promise relevant to the SURF Program are suggested. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify their letter writers through the online application system. Letter writers will receive instructions on the content of their letters and they must upload their letters via the online application module by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
3. Resume which includes professional and research experience. 
4. Undergraduate transcript. You must submit college transcripts (unofficial transcript is 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.) prior to uploading into the application system. 
5. Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency .  Acceptable forms of proof of U.S. Citizenship includes 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 license do not meet the requirements for proof of U.S. citizenship. 
6. Proof of health insurance coverage by including a copy of a valid insurance card. 
7. 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 which includes the following:

• Commitment to participate in the program and work in a laboratory environment;
• Description of relevant research experience;
• Description of prioritized research interests;
• How you expect to personally benefit from participating in the program;
• Career goals.

Students must submit all required documentation during the application process to be considered for review. Incomplete applications will not be considered for review in the SURF Program. It is highly recommended you preview the on-line questions for this announcement before you start the application process. [The sentence "To preview the questions please click here (hyperlinked)" is entered here by the automated system, and is visible on all announcements]

Application Deadline: