Application Deadline: February 17

2009 Program Dates are May 26 through August 7

The Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL) and the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) offer a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This program is designed to provide hands-on research experience in ceramics, metallurgy, polymers, and condensed matter science. Research opportunities available in the MSEL/NCNR program include:

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Nanomaterials
Processing and Micromagnetics of Thin Magnetic Films
Casting of Multicomponent Aerospace Alloys
Dislocation Imaging
Dental and Medical Materials
Thermophysical Properties of Materials at High Temperatures
Performance of Materials in Corrosive Media
Scanning Acoustic Microscopy
Solder Interconnect Engineering
Ceramic Coatings
Ceramic Processing
Electronic and Magnetic Ceramics
Mechanical Properties of Ceramics
Synchrotron Radiation Characterization
Thin Ceramic Film Characterization
Phase Equilibria Determination
Solid State Chemistry
Theory and Modeling
Electronic Packaging and Interconnection
Intelligent Processing of Materials
Metals Processing
Characterization of Protein-lipid and multi-subunit protein complexes
Characterization of DNA-binding proteins
Structure and dynamics of complex fluids
Characterization of Colloid systems
Characterization of Membrane phases
Properties of Hydrogen in Metals
Computational Chemistry
Neutron characterization of new materials
Polymer Blends and Processing
Polymer Characterization
Polymer Composites
Materials Reliability
Process Sensing and Modeling
...and many others

Further information on many of these opportunities can be obtained by looking at the descriptions of ongoing research in MSEL and NCNR given by the National Research Council in their announcement of the NRC postdoctoral research associate program at NIST (then click on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)), as well as the NIST publication Guide to NIST.

The Fellowship will include a $4,000 stipend for the 11 week period, in addition to travel and housing allowances. Applications must be submitted by the school; e.g., by a faculty member or other appropriate administrative staff.

In addition to "SURFing the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory/NIST Center for Neutron Research" program there is also a SURF program in each of the other NIST Laboratories. Check out the Main NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) homepage.

Student Eligibility Criteria

• Intent to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering or related field

• GPA of 3.0/4.0, or better

• Must be U. S. citizen or permanent resident

• Two letters of recommendation, student transcript, and letter of intent/personal statement

Program Features

• SURFers work directly with NIST Research Advisors

• SURFers participate in a weekly research seminar program 

• Students are encouraged to present their research results at national meetings

• SURFers are encouraged to pursue their Ph.D. degree

Main NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) homepage.

Download an application and information packet then print out the required forms or call Anita Sweigert at (301)975-4200, e-mail: anita.sweigert@nist.gov.