Job Description Summary:

The Summer Internships in Parallel Computational Science (SIParCS) program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) offers graduate students and undergraduates who have completed their sophomore year significant hands-on R&D opportunities in high performance computing (HPC) and related fields that use HPC for scientific discovery and modeling. This program embeds students as summer interns in the Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) an organization within NCAR charged with provisioning supercomputing and data systems to the geosciences research community as well as conducting research and development in computational science data analysis scientific visualization and numerical modeling. These twin roles of service and research in CISL support NCARs broad scientific mission of discovery in the atmospheric and related sciences.

The 2026 summer internships are 11 weeks in duration. Applicants must be available to work 40 hours per week from May 18 2026 through July 31 2026 for participation in the program. NCAR has 3 unpaid holidays for interns during the summer internship (Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day).

Program requirements beyond working on projects include attending appropriate technical seminars attending skills-enhancing workshops preparing a poster and giving an oral presentation of results at the end of the summer.

For Summer 2026 we are planning for an in-person internship program where interns come on-site to our Boulder Colorado campuses and meetings may be held virtually over Zoom or Google Meet.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Job Location:

Boulder Colorado

Position Type & Term:

Full time Term - Casual (Fixed Term)

Hourly Rate: $28.32/hour

*Final salary and rates are based on education experience skills relevant to the role.*

Application Notes

Application Deadline:

Required application materials: (preferably in PDF Format)

Application Instructions:

Before you begin the online application process please prepare your application materials in one (1) PDF document. Name the PDF LastNameFirstNamesiparcs Example: Application materials must be in the order numbered below. Please apply to no more than two (2) SIParCS projects.

Application Materials Must Include:

Attach one (1) PDF document with the three required components to your online application. Name the PDF LastNameFirstNamesiparcs Example: Required materials in order are:

#1 Write a personal statement that is no longer than two (2) pages that clearly addresses each of the following 7 questions. (Use 1-inch margins a font no smaller than 11 points). The personal statement questions carry considerable weight for the application please be thoughtful with your responses and answer all 7 questions. Please visit for detailed instructions.

NSF NCAR and SIParCS embrace a collaborative supportive and positive work environment. SIParCS is dedicated to developing the technical and professional skills of the future high performance computing and scientific communities and sharing our science with a broader audience.

• 1. Describe a situation when you helped build or sustain a collaborative positive supportive community. What strategies or lessons did you use to collaborate lead or solve problems The situation does not have to be related to science research or education. If you havent had this experience explain what you believe makes a positive and supportive community and how you would contribute to one in the future including any strategies youd use to collaborate lead and problem-solve.
• 2. How could your approach to community and leadership enhance the experience for your fellow interns and strengthen the SIParCS program as a whole
• 3. How does participating in SIParCS complement your current interests and future career goals

Mentorship: SIParCS interns work with their mentors on a specified project and are responsible for communicating with their mentoring team organizing meetings asking for help etc.

• 4. Describe an experience where you took initiative guided and supported peers and/or collaborated to achieve goals. Please include how you will apply these skills to work with your mentoring team.
• 5. What do you hope to gain from receiving mentorship as part of the SIParCS program

Students may apply to up to two (2) SIParCS projects.

• 6a. Identify the project and why you are interested in this chosen project.
• 6b. If youre applying to a second project identify the project and why you are interested in this chosen project. Clearly address your distinct interest for each project.

• 7. Share your non-technical interests collaborations and skills that are not covered in your resume CV or transcript.

#2. CV or resume

#3 Copy of most recent undergraduate AND graduate university transcript (unofficial transcripts are ok).

Instructions for the Online Application Process:

(1) To begin the application process at the bottom of this page click New Resume/CV. The next page presents options for you to submit your materials. Select Upload a resume/CV document then select Continue.

(2) You will then be prompted to submit your résumé or CV. At this point upload your complete application as one (1) PDF document. Click Choose File to find your file on your computer. Click on the document select Open and then select Continue.

(3) Continue the application process as prompted. Step 4 of the online application process will ask you if you want to upload additional documentation-ignore this step. Complete the rest of the online application information.

References:

For the 2026 application cycle SIParCS no longer requires a letter of reference or reference contact information as part of the application.

Questions:

If you have questions or limitations to using the online application system please contact Alexa Brown at or .

More information on the SIParCS program may be found at If you have questions regarding the SIParCS program please contact .

Background checks are conducted for candidate(s) selected for hire. Learn more.

What You Will Do

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

As a SIParCS intern you will:

• Conduct original research under the guidance of your science mentor;
• Give a presentation based on your research;
• Participate professionally in all SIParCS activities.

Project Descriptions by Title (Detailed project descriptions can be found here: 7: CIRRUS - Developing Workflows for Validating Cloud Native Deployments

Project 8: Simulating atmospheric chemistry with MUSICA in Julia

Project 9: Improving the code infrastructure of the NSF NCAR air quality sampling drone system

Project 10: Improving Uncertainty Estimates in Earth System Prediction with DART

Project 11: OpenIoTwx Dynamic AI-Mesonet Edge Computing and Cyber Infrastructure Integration

Project 12: Generalized framework for the evaluation and comparison of atmospheric chemistry models with observations

Project 13: Developing a Mini-App with the JAX Python Library and/or Rust Programming Language

Who Wed Love To Join Our Team

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

• Must currently be enrolled in a United States university.

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. to be eligible for the SIParCS program.

  • For F visa students accepted to the SIParCS program CPT work authorization issued through a U.S. Designated School Official (DSO) or OPT issued through both a DSO and the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be required.

• Must be a graduate or doctoral student.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with a broad group of peers.

• Skill in the use of software for communication purposes ( Excel PowerPointemail).

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

• Good oral and written communication skills.

• Basic problem solving skills.

• Ability to analyze data and draw conclusions.

• Basic knowledge through coursework of mathematics computer science or engineering.

• Ability to work full-time (40 hours per week) during the summer program.

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

• Ability and willingness to work within guidelines and policies of organization and assignedwork groups.

Commitment to Job Application Fairness

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.

Some Final Considerations

At NSF NCAR UCAR 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 Suns 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 (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.

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 your intersection of identities you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

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

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S. excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives processes and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.