2025 NSF Unidata Student Intern

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Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Position Type & Term:

Undergraduate Interns: $22.79/hr

Graduate Interns: $27.58/hr

As an intern, you will choose a summer focus from a wide range of areas where NSF Unidata has active projects. Some examples include:

• Contributing to existing data management, analysis, and visualization software packages written in languages like Python, Java, and C.

• Creating learning materials that help students and educators take advantage of NSF Unidata software and services.

• Investigating ways that leading-edge technologies such as machine learning, software containerization, and cloud computing can benefit the Earth system science community.

While we encourage you to think about focus areas you might be interested in, and to take a look at some of the things previous interns have worked on, you'll work together with NSF Unidata staff mentors to choose projects once the internship begins.

The 2025 program is an 11-week summer position (40 hours / week) running from May 19, 2025 to August 1, 2025. As circumstances permit, interns will have the opportunity to work full-time in person and/or hybrid at the NSF Unidata Program Center (UPC) in Boulder, Colorado.

Interns receive an hourly stipend and will be provided with housing (shared with other UCAR interns) and transportation costs to and from Boulder. Additionally, NSF Unidata will arrange for 2025 interns to attend the 2026 AMS annual meeting to present their work.

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59pm MT, January 24, 2025. Applications will not be accepted past this date.

Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format):

• Resume/CV

• Questionnaire (to be answered/completed within the application)

  • How could your skills, education, and experience be used during the Unidata internship?

  • What are some examples of projects you have contributed to or ideas you have for applying your experience to this internship?

  • The NSF Unidata Summer Internship seeks to foster the next generation of geoscientists by providing mentoring and hands-on experience working within a professional scientific development and community service organization. Based on your identities and life experiences, (including cultural, educational, familial, social, etc.) how will your participation in the NSF Unidata Summer Internship experience most benefit you and your future career plans?

    • Note: Candidates may be asked to submit a sample project (e.g. past class assignment, research project, previous work project, etc.) that highlights relevant skills.

Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

Work Location: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Here is a summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Research / Scientific Software Development

• Engage in research that builds on NSF Unidata technologies and involves using, designing, and/or modifying existing NSF Unidata software.

Reporting / Seminars

• In addition to working closely with individual developers, you will attend technical staff meetings to report on the status of your project. You'll also have opportunities to update the UPC staff on the progress of your project through informal "brown bag" talks. And you'll also be encouraged to share your progress and experiences at UCAR and Unidata with a larger community by posting to the Unidata developer's blog.

• In the last week of your internship, you will have the opportunity to give a NSF Unidata Community Seminar describing your experience and the outcomes of your summer work.

• Unidata will also arrange for your attendance at the 2025 AMS Annual Meeting Student Conference, allowing you to present your internship work to a wide audience of working scientists and other students. We'll help you get started on your presentation and abstract submission during the summer.

Writing

• The intern will be expected to document their work (for projects that involve writing code, this includes in-code documentation as well as user level documentation). The student will be encouraged to participate in the Unidata Developer's Blog throughout their summer experience.

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education & Experience

• Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program as a sophomore, junior, or senior, or enrolled in a graduate level program with a focus on earth science or, if in a related field (e.g., computing or engineering), some earth science coursework preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in the areas of data access, distribution, analysis, and/or visualization.

• Basic knowledge, through coursework, of earth and/or computer science.

• Ability and willingness to learn and use new scientific computing tools and programs.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to work with a diverse group of peers.

• Ability to work full-time virtually or in Boulder, Colorado during the summer program.

• Ability to interact with mentors and peers in a manner that supports collaboration and inquiry.

• Basic problem-solving skills: exercises judgment when to ask for help. Consults with supervisor on larger job or community related issues.

Desired, but not required:

• For software development projects, working knowledge of at least one Version Control tool, preferably Git.

• Experience with Earth system science data formats (e.g., netCDF, GRIB, BUFR).

Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace site.

Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.