The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks undergraduate students for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. The Gaithersburg location offers both in-person and virtual fellowships. An additional vacancy is open for in-person fellowships in Boulder, CO. See vacancy #SURF-2023-0007 for in-person Boulder opportunities. Applicants may apply to both vacancies and use the same documents for all applications. Learn more at https://www.nist.gov/surf.
Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks undergraduate students for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. The Gaithersburg location offers both in-person and virtual fellowships. An additional vacancy is open for in-person fellowships in Boulder, CO. See vacancy #SURF-2023-0007 for in-person Boulder opportunities. Applicants may apply to both vacancies and use the same documents for all applications. Learn more at https://www.nist.gov/surf.
Internships - This is a continuous 11-week appointment scheduled May 22 - Aug 3, 2023. Some 9-week appointments are available w accomodations for specific academic schedules (quarter systems). Students are appointed as guest researchers and not federal employees.
Work schedule
Full-time - Participants are expected to report to duty Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5:00 pm or as agreed upon with their mentors. Due to the short length of the program, students are not eligible for paid time off.
Current full-time undergraduate (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) degree-seeking students enrolled at accredited 2-year or 4-year colleges or universities in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Note: Freshmen and graduating seniors (defined as seniors participating in the Spring Commencement) are encouraged to apply to the program.
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 graduate 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 program:
Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL)
Engineering Laboratory (EL)
Information Technology Laboratory (ITL)
Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) in partnership with the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR)
Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML)
As part of the application process, all applicants must identify and select first and second-choice host laboratories for placement consideration. Applicants should carefully choose host laboratories because the completed application is considered primarily by the first-choice host laboratory.
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, PL, and EL 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/surf/surf-gaithersburg/research-programs.
For in-person fellowships, all students must work at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD 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
Applicants must meet all the following requirements to be eligible for a fellowship:
U.S. citizen or U.S Permanent Resident
At least 16 years of age
Able to pass a background check
Receive payments by direct deposit
Verify proof of health insurance
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:
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 Gaithersburg, MD, 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 of 2023; 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.
Education
Currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate (freshman, 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), materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, or physics with rigorous academic coursework relevant to grade level (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior)
Good academic standing (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale)
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
Additional information
If selected, you are required to complete a background investigation suitability check
Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/)
Must be 16 years of age
Must be able to work 40 hours/week, Monday through Friday during the fellowship appointment
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, your questionnaire responses and supporting documents will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your questionnaire responses and supporting documents will be forwarded to your first and second-choice laboratories for additional review. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Note: The number of offers to participate in the program is contingent upon the availability of funds and projects in the host laboratories.
Your qualifications will also be evaluated on the following criteria:
Fit of the undergraduate student’s stated interest and commitment to priorities and objectives of NIST and the SURF program
Fit of the undergraduate student’s interests and abilities to the available NIST research projects and when appropriate, to the research priorities of NIST scientists and engineers in the specified laboratory program
Relevance of the student’s course of study to the program objectives of the specified NIST laboratory in which that SURF program resides
Evaluation of academic accomplishments. Note: A cumulative minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is recommended for all completed courses taken as an undergraduate student at the current institution and at any institutions attended as an undergraduate student during the 5 years preceding the start of the most recent enrollment (This does not include college or university courses taken while solely a high school student.)
Quality of accomplishments to date
Assessment of whether the laboratory experience is an opportunity for the student which may encourage future postgraduate training, especially if the applicant has not had a similar opportunity previously
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Your application must include (NOTE: Items 3-7 must be uploaded through the documents selection section. PDF is the preferred format for all submitted documents.):
1. Responses to the online questions.
2. Two (2) letters of recommendation from references, preferably professors, department heads, previous internship mentors, or academic advisers familiar with the applicant’s education, training, experience, aptitude, and promise relevant to the SURF Program.
Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify their references through the online application system. References will receive instructions on the content of their letters and they must upload their letters via the online application module no later than 5 days after the vacancy closes.
3. Resume which includes professional and research experience. Uploaded pdf is the preferred format.
4. Undergraduate transcript. You must submit college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are 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.) before uploading into the application system.
5. Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency. Acceptable forms of proof of U.S. Citizenship include 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's licenses do not meet the requirements for proof of U.S. citizenship.Submitted proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency must have all Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) before uploading into the application system.
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 that includes the following:
Commitment to participate in the program and work in a laboratory environment
Description of relevant coursework and/or research experience
Description of prioritized research interests
Expectation of personal benefit from participating in the program
Career goals
Students must submit all required documentation no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement to be considered for review. PDF is the preferred format for all submitted documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered for review in the SURF program. It is highly recommended you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. You may preview the questions for this vacancy via the hyperlink at the bottom of the ‘How you will be Evaluated’ section.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, complete the online application and submit the documents specified in the Required Documents section of the announcement no later than the announcement closing date.
To begin, log in to your USAJOBS account or create a new account at https://my.usajobs.gov. Click Apply Online to access the online application. Follow the prompts. This vacancy does not accept resumes or uploaded documents from USAJOBS. As expected, USAJOBS will notify you that this announcement does not accept USAJOBS resumes or documents. Prompts will direct you to upload documents directly into the application system. All documents are required and must be submitted for fellowship consideration. PDF is the preferred format for all documents.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
Upon clicking submit at the end of the application process, you will receive an on-screen notification that you have successfully submitted your application. Select Return to USAJOBS to verify your updated status in the USAJOBS Applications section.
To verify the status of your application, log in to your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, and select Track this application. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
In the status information, you can also see the status of your letters of recommendation. For example, if one letter has been received you will see “1 of 2 references received”. References have up to 5 days after the announcement closing date to submit their letters. If you notice a letter missing and it is close to the deadline, you may want to give your reference a friendly reminder. The system will also send an automated reminder 2 days before the final due date.
To return to your saved applicationwhile the announcement is open, log in to your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login and click Applications. Click on the position title, then select Edit my application. You may update your application at any time before the closing of the announcement.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the online application and supporting documents well before the announcement closing date.
Problems Completing Your Application
If you have problems completing your online application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please email surf@nist.gov.
You must complete this application and submit all required documents by 11:59 PM EST on the announcement closing date.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
325 Broadway
Mail Stop 671
Boulder, Colorado 80305
United States
Next steps
NIST SURF will conduct an initial review of applications received by the closing date of this announcement to determine the undergraduate student's eligibility and application completeness and will eliminate those applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-responsive based. At any time between March 15, 2023, and April 15, 2023, eligible students may receive an offer (by email) for a fellowship. Students are encouraged to investigate what type of research is currently going on at NIST, and may contact potential mentors at their own discretion. All applicants will be notified by email of their application status by April 15, 2023.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your application must include (NOTE: Items 3-7 must be uploaded through the documents selection section. PDF is the preferred format for all submitted documents.):
1. Responses to the online questions.
2. Two (2) letters of recommendation from references, preferably professors, department heads, previous internship mentors, or academic advisers familiar with the applicant’s education, training, experience, aptitude, and promise relevant to the SURF Program.
Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify their references through the online application system. References will receive instructions on the content of their letters and they must upload their letters via the online application module no later than 5 days after the vacancy closes.
3. Resume which includes professional and research experience. Uploaded pdf is the preferred format.
4. Undergraduate transcript. You must submit college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are 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.) before uploading into the application system.
5. Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency. Acceptable forms of proof of U.S. Citizenship include 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's licenses do not meet the requirements for proof of U.S. citizenship.Submitted proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency must have all Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) before uploading into the application system.
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 that includes the following:
Commitment to participate in the program and work in a laboratory environment
Description of relevant coursework and/or research experience
Description of prioritized research interests
Expectation of personal benefit from participating in the program
Career goals
Students must submit all required documentation no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement to be considered for review. PDF is the preferred format for all submitted documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered for review in the SURF program. It is highly recommended you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. You may preview the questions for this vacancy via the hyperlink at the bottom of the ‘How you will be Evaluated’ section.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, complete the online application and submit the documents specified in the Required Documents section of the announcement no later than the announcement closing date.
To begin, log in to your USAJOBS account or create a new account at https://my.usajobs.gov. Click Apply Online to access the online application. Follow the prompts. This vacancy does not accept resumes or uploaded documents from USAJOBS. As expected, USAJOBS will notify you that this announcement does not accept USAJOBS resumes or documents. Prompts will direct you to upload documents directly into the application system. All documents are required and must be submitted for fellowship consideration. PDF is the preferred format for all documents.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
Upon clicking submit at the end of the application process, you will receive an on-screen notification that you have successfully submitted your application. Select Return to USAJOBS to verify your updated status in the USAJOBS Applications section.
To verify the status of your application, log in to your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, and select Track this application. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
In the status information, you can also see the status of your letters of recommendation. For example, if one letter has been received you will see “1 of 2 references received”. References have up to 5 days after the announcement closing date to submit their letters. If you notice a letter missing and it is close to the deadline, you may want to give your reference a friendly reminder. The system will also send an automated reminder 2 days before the final due date.
To return to your saved applicationwhile the announcement is open, log in to your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login and click Applications. Click on the position title, then select Edit my application. You may update your application at any time before the closing of the announcement.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the online application and supporting documents well before the announcement closing date.
Problems Completing Your Application
If you have problems completing your online application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please email surf@nist.gov.
You must complete this application and submit all required documents by 11:59 PM EST on the announcement closing date.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
325 Broadway
Mail Stop 671
Boulder, Colorado 80305
United States
Next steps
NIST SURF will conduct an initial review of applications received by the closing date of this announcement to determine the undergraduate student's eligibility and application completeness and will eliminate those applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-responsive based. At any time between March 15, 2023, and April 15, 2023, eligible students may receive an offer (by email) for a fellowship. Students are encouraged to investigate what type of research is currently going on at NIST, and may contact potential mentors at their own discretion. All applicants will be notified by email of their application status by April 15, 2023.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
