NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI)

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 27,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) in Boulder, Colorado is offering the NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI) for undergraduates. The 11‑week program runs May 17–July 30, 2027, with on-site participation and 40 hours per week.

Eligibility requires sophomore status or higher, a 3.0+ GPA, and research/programming experience. Applicants must be available full-time and must not be freshmen. VISA sponsorship is not available for new entrants.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student (sophomore year or above).
• Major in Earth System Science, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Social Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Geography.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Must be available full-time (40 hours per week) for 11 weeks and on-site in Boulder.

Responsibilities

• Interns conduct research across NSF NCAR labs on topics including atmospheric science, computational science, engineering, and solar & space physics.
• Prepare oral and poster presentations at program end, in person or virtually.
• Adhere to UCAR Code of Conduct and participate fully during office hours and program activities.

Job description

Position Type: Term - Casual (Fixed Term) Visa Sponsored Job: No Relocation Assistance Eligible: No Hiring Range: $23.41 *Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 11:59pm Mountain Time on: 2027-01-04

About the Role

Great Internship opportunity for undergraduate students only.

The NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Education, Engagement and Early Career Development (EdEC) seeks undergraduate Earth system science students to intern in the 2027 NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI).

The 2027 NESSI program runs for 11 weeks, from May 17 to July 30, 2027.

Interns work with NSF NCAR scientists to conduct research across NSF NCAR labs on a wide range of topics, including atmospheric science, computational science, engineering, and solar & space physics.

Beyond core geosciences, NSF NCAR has a strong interdisciplinary mission to bring other fields to bear on substantial problems in climate, weather, and related disciplines. Thus, there is also significant opportunity for projects in data science, social science, and science education. Research projects will be defined by student interest and the ability to pair the student with a mentor working in a similar field or topic.

Eligibility Requirements: Check this link for Application information: https://edec.ucar.edu/students/nessi/FAQs

• 1. Quarter-system students are not eligible - Due to program scheduling constraints, NESSI is unable to accommodate applicants enrolled in schools operating on an academic quarter calendar
• 2. Undergraduate Only - The NESSI program is designed specifically for undergraduate students and does not accept applications from graduate students.
• 3. Freshmen are not eligible - To qualify for NESSI, you must be a sophomore or above (must have completed at least one full academic year of college coursework); freshmen are not eligible;
• 4. Students must have some basic research and programming experience and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 5.0 scale)
• 5. Participants must be available full-time (40 hours per week), arrive in Boulder by May 16, and attend on-site daily.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

Research

• Interns work with NSF NCAR scientists to conduct research in any NSF NCAR lab(s) on a wide range of topics including atmospheric science, computational science, engineering, and solar & space physics. Beyond core geosciences, NSF NCAR has a strong interdisciplinary mission to apply knowledge from other fields to address major issues in climate, weather, and related disciplines. Thus, there are also significant opportunities in data science, social science, and science education. Research projects will be defined by student interest and the ability to pair the student with a mentor working in a similar field or topic.

Reports and Presentations

• Each intern prepares an oral and poster presentation of their work at the end of the summer program, presented either in person or virtually to scientists, staff, and peers.

Community and Professional Behavior

• NESSI interns work together and are part of a larger community of UCAR and NSF NCAR summer interns. NESSI interns will conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to a professional environment and adhere to UCAR’s Code of Conduct. Interns are expected to fully participate during normal office hours, during NESSI functions, and while on travel for the internship.

Education & Experience REQUIRED:

• MUST be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student (no graduate) in sophomore year or above (no freshmen) in an accredited US university or college with a major/concentration in any of the following disciplines:
• Earth System Science
• Atmospheric Science
• Computer Science
• Social Science
• Engineering
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Geography
• Must be a Sophomore or above (Candidates should have completed the equivalent of at least one year of college; no Freshman/first-year)
• Must be an undergraduate; no graduate students
• Have some basic research and programming experience and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 5.0 scale)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities REQUIRED:

• Basic knowledge, through coursework, of Earth system science concepts
• Good problem-solving skills
• Ability and willingness to learn and use scientific computing tools and programs
• Ability to work with a variety of staff members
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work full-time, on-site (40 hours per week) during the entire 11-week summer program
• Ability to interact with mentors and peers in a manner that supports collaboration and inquiry
• Working knowledge of basic office and communication software (e.g., G+ suite, email clients)
• Ability and willingness to work within guidelines and policies of the organization and assigned workgroups

Application Requirements

Please read the information on this page before you start your application [Link] *For tips on the ethical use of AI in applications, please read this document: Guidelines for the Use of AI Tools in Application Materials *

Required Application Material (Please note that any missing document or answer will result in a disqualification of the application)

• Cover letter (must not exceed two pages)
• Resume
• Unofficial transcript(s)
• Questionnaire (Please complete the required questionnaire as part of your application. Thorough and complete answers are essential. Incomplete questionnaires will result in disqualification)

The cover letter must not exceed two pages and should be single-spaced, use standard one-inch margins, and have a font size of no smaller than 11 points. Applicants must address each of the following topics:

• Motivation and Alignment with NESSI / NSF NCAR - What interests you about participating in the NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI) program? Please describe what attracted you to this opportunity and what you hope to gain from conducting research and learning at NSF NCAR. [Suggested maximum: 200 words]
• Earth System Science Research Interests and Curiosity - What topics, scientific questions, or real-world challenges related to Earth system science are you most curious about, and why? Please share any experiences, coursework, personal interests, or activities that have sparked your curiosity. You do not need to have prior research experience. [Suggested maximum: 250 words]
• Educational and Career Goals - What are your current educational and career goals, and how do you envision the NESSI experience helping you work toward them? Consider how research experience, mentorship, professional development, or connections with other students and scientists could support your growth. [Suggested maximum: 200 words]
• Preparation and Potential for Research - Research involves curiosity, problem-solving, persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to learn. Describe an experience that helped you develop one or more of these skills. This experience may come from coursework, employment, personal projects, extracurricular activities, or other aspects of your life. How might these skills help you succeed in a research internship? [Suggested maximum: 250 words]
• Contributions to the NESSI Cohort and Program - NESSI brings together students with different academic interests, experiences, and perspectives to learn and grow as a cohort. What strengths, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to the NESSI community? How would you contribute to a collaborative and supportive learning environment? [Suggested maximum: 200 words]

Application File Naming Instructions - Please label your documents using your last and first name:

Cover Letter: CoverLetter_LastName_FirstName Resume: Resume_LastName_FirstName Transcript: Transcript_LastName_FirstName

Application Requirements Cover Letter, Questionnaire, Resume/CV, Unofficial Transcripts Submit all required application materials by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline. Only candidates with complete applications (including questionnaires, when required) will be considered.

We recognize that no candidate will meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If you believe your background has prepared you for success in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Candidates selected for hire will complete background checks and/or federal screenings.

Additional Information

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes all applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. You don’t need to include age-related information, such as birth or graduation dates, in your initial application.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on an employee. Please inform your Recruiter if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Visa Sponsorship: UCAR can sponsor H-1B status only for candidates already in the U.S. who hold H-1B status or another status that allows a change to H-1B within the country. We cannot sponsor new H-1B visas that require consular processing abroad.

Compliance and Location: All roles must comply with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. Hybrid staff work on-site 3 days per week or equivalent, based on their flexible work arrangement. UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use: AI tools are permitted, but we strongly encourage candidates to submit primarily original work.