Student Assistant III

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; United States; Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is seeking a curious, hands-on student for a 1-year Term Student Assistant III role in the Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL). You will support deployment, maintenance, and optimization of HPC, storage, networking, and software systems for atmospheric and Earth science research.

You will work with mentors, gain exposure to GPU hardware, and help port NCAR applications to experimental architectures.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled for the entire duration of the appointment for credit in an accredited school.

Responsibilities

• Gains experience with user application code on existing and new hardware and software technologies.
• Learn to support software products, system administration tools, and monitoring utilities to maximize HPC systems availability.
• Work with mentors to develop tools and analytics for the experimental HPC environment.
• Test and evaluate new computing, storage, and networking technologies and software stacks for NCAR applications.
• Assist with preparation of technical reports and presentations on research findings.

Skills

Computer systems

Storage systems

Networking basics

Education

Enrollment in accredited school

Tools

Python

Bash

GNU/Linux

Job description

Position Details

Position Type: Term - Casual (Fixed Term) Visa Sponsored Job: No Relocation Assistance Eligible: No Hiring Range: 50,585.00 - 50,585.00 *Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 12:00am MST on: 2026-11-06

About the Role

About the Role Please note: The updated hourly rate for this role is $24.32. Ready to kickstart your career in supercomputing? The Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) is looking for a curious, hands‑on student to join our team. You’ll work alongside experienced engineers on experimental supercomputing systems, including GPU‑based hardware, and help evaluate the technologies that may shape the next generation of computing for NCAR’s scientific community. This is a learning‑by‑doing position. You’ll be trusted with real problems, supported by mentors, and expected to dig in, ask good questions, and figure things out. This 1‑year Term Student Assistant III role works alongside senior project staff in the Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) to support the deployment, maintenance, and optimization of high‑performance computing (HPC), storage, networking, and software systems for atmospheric and Earth science research. Depending on the candidate’s skill set, core responsibilities include collaborating with High Performance Computing Division (HPCD) staff to support and maintain research and development lab environments, as well as assisting with the installation, administration, benchmarking, and troubleshooting of HPC hardware, operating systems, and specialized software tools. Additional opportunities involve tuning storage and batch schedulers, running analytics, porting NCAR applications to experimental architectures such as GPU environments, and receiving mentorship training to collaborate with and guide junior HPC students and interns. This is a 1‑year term role, and to qualify, the student must be enrolled and maintain “Student Status” for the entire term. Student Assistants may not work more than 1,000 hours in any 12‑month period.

Job Description Key Responsibilities

• Gains experience with user application code on existing and new hardware and software technologies.
• Learns to support software products, system administration tools, and monitoring utilities to maximize the availability and flexibility of the experimental HPC systems.
• Works with mentors to develop new tools and analytics, and/or enhance existing tools, analytics, and software subsystems for the experimental HPC environment.
• Tests and evaluates new computing, storage, and networking technologies, associated software stacks, and potential applications for NCAR applications.
• Develops knowledge of emerging technologies and how they might enhance the NCAR user experience.
• Assists with the preparation and delivery of technical reports and presentations on the research findings from this work.
• Assists with writing and presenting recommendations to HPCD management for HPC hardware and software products, configurations, and functional enhancements or upgrades.
• May also propose, research, design, and implement new projects, tools, or process improvements to benefit the team and the environment.
• Learn basic systems administration and maintenance of multi‑vendor open‑source HPC systems and gains experience monitoring the behavior of experimental HPC systems on a routine, periodic basis to ensure proper, efficient operation for all stakeholders.
• Helps plan and execute installations and upgrades to multi‑vendor HPC software systems.

Education & Experience REQUIRED

Must be enrolled for the entire duration of the appointment (or intend to enroll in the next regular session) for credit in an accredited secondary or postsecondary school, college or University, or in a trade school that has received a Certificate or Approval from the Colorado State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities REQUIRED

• Knowledge and understanding of computer, storage, and networking systems components.
• Ability to work with a team and convey technical concepts to management and senior engineers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing assignments.

Preferred Qualifications Desired but Not Required

• Experience with fundamental software and systems engineering concepts and practices.
• Experience with at least one portable scripting language such as Python or Bash.
• Experience with at least one GNU/Linux distribution.
• Familiarity with scientific visualization.
• Familiarity with open source software development and distribution.
• Familiarity with AI/ML/DL.
• Familiarity with GPGPU programming.
• Ability to mentor and train students and visitors.

Additional Job Information

Background checks and/or federal screenings are conducted for candidates selected for hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants are not required to provide age‑related information (like date of birth or graduation dates) in initial submissions. For sponsored positions: UCAR can sponsor individuals for H‑1B status only if they are already in the U.S. in H‑1B status or another visa status that allows them to change to H‑1B status within the U.S. UCAR is unable to sponsor new H‑1B visas for individuals who are outside the U.S. and need to obtain H‑1B status through Consular Processing. While UCAR does not prohibit the use of AI tools in job applications, we strongly recommend that applicants submit primarily original work. All roles require compliance with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. All hybrid staff are expected to work on‑site approximately 3 days per week.

About UCAR and NCAR

At NCAR – the National Center for Atmospheric Research – we study weather, water, climate, air quality, and space weather to help protect lives and livelihoods, grow the economy, and enhance our nation’s security and well‑being. We collaborate with research partners to advance the science that makes predictions better and with end users to develop applications for forecasters, farmers, resource managers, retailers, the military, and many other stakeholders. UCAR – the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research – manages NCAR on behalf of the National Science Foundation. We are a nonprofit consortium of more than 115 colleges and universities with research and training programs in Earth system science. We bring together the academic community and provide the operational management that are both essential to NCAR’s success. UCAR’s community programs, from educational resources to data delivery and other services, extend the reach and impact of NCAR’s world‑class research to the community and society. We seek talented people with diverse backgrounds, training, and skills to join us in our mission of science in service to society. Want to learn more? Visit ucar.edu.