The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks undergraduate students for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. The Charleston location offers at least one in-person fellowship. Additional vacancies are open for fellowships in Gaithersburg, MD (see vacancy #SURF-2025-0001) and Boulder, CO (see vacancy #SURF-2025-0002). Applicants may apply to all 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, 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 seeks students from a broad range of STEM disciplines, including but not limited to chemistry, biochemistry, biology, biophysics, 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 OU participates in the SURF Charleston program:
- Material Measurement Laboratory (MML)
For this in-person fellowship, all students must work at the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina, for the entire appointment.
While duties and responsibilities may vary by laboratory, all students must:
- Work with their mentor on a designated research project in analytical chemistry
- Attend a technical seminar series
- Participate in professional development
- Compose and submit an abstract halfway through the program summarizing research accomplishments
- Deliver an oral presentation during the final week of the program
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 Charleston, South Carolina
- 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; 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.
- 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 chemistry, marine science, environmental science, biology, 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