What are the responsibilities and job description for the NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI) position at UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research?
Job Description Summary:
This opportunity is open ONLY to undergraduates enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a U.S. university or college.
The NESSI program cannot accommodate students who are attending schools on a quarterly schedule.
The NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Education, Engagement, and Early Career Development (EdEC) seeks undergraduate Earth System Science students to participate as interns in the 2026 NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI).
The 2026 NESSI will run for 11 weeks, from May 18 - July 31, 2026.
Interns collaborate with NSF NCAR scientists and engineers on research across any NSF NCAR laboratories, exploring a wide range of topics in Earth system science, such as atmospheric science, computational science, engineering, and solar and space physics.
Beyond the core geosciences, NSF NCAR’s interdisciplinary mission encourages the integration of various fields to address complex challenges in climate, weather, and related Earth system disciplines.
As a result, there are also valuable opportunities for projects in data science, social science, and science education. Each research project is shaped by the student’s interests and the availability of an NSF NCAR mentor working in a related field or topic.
Position Details:
Visa Sponsored Job:
No
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
No
Job Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Position Type & Term:
Full time, Term - less than 6 months (Fixed Term)
Compensation Min - Mid Range:
Hourly Rate: $23.41
Application Notes
To know more about the Internship and the Application requirements, please visit this website: https://edec.ucar.edu/students/nessi
Job Location: Boulder, CO
Job Type: In Person (Interns are required to be on-site for the entire duration of the Internship)
The Internship duration is 11 weeks, from May 18 to July 31, 2026
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Relocation Assistance is NOT available for this position.
Application Deadline: January 4, 2026.
Required application materials:
Please review our AI Usage guidelines here before submitting your application material:
What You Will Do
Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.
Key Responsibilities:
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education and Experience REQUIRED:
MUST be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in sophomore year or above (no Freshman) in an accredited US university or college with a major/concentration in any of the following disciplines:
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 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 (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 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 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 the way 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.
This opportunity is open ONLY to undergraduates enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a U.S. university or college.
The NESSI program cannot accommodate students who are attending schools on a quarterly schedule.
The NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Education, Engagement, and Early Career Development (EdEC) seeks undergraduate Earth System Science students to participate as interns in the 2026 NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI).
The 2026 NESSI will run for 11 weeks, from May 18 - July 31, 2026.
Interns collaborate with NSF NCAR scientists and engineers on research across any NSF NCAR laboratories, exploring a wide range of topics in Earth system science, such as atmospheric science, computational science, engineering, and solar and space physics.
Beyond the core geosciences, NSF NCAR’s interdisciplinary mission encourages the integration of various fields to address complex challenges in climate, weather, and related Earth system disciplines.
As a result, there are also valuable opportunities for projects in data science, social science, and science education. Each research project is shaped by the student’s interests and the availability of an NSF NCAR mentor working in a related field or topic.
Position Details:
Visa Sponsored Job:
No
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
No
Job Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Position Type & Term:
Full time, Term - less than 6 months (Fixed Term)
Compensation Min - Mid Range:
Hourly Rate: $23.41
Application Notes
To know more about the Internship and the Application requirements, please visit this website: https://edec.ucar.edu/students/nessi
Job Location: Boulder, CO
Job Type: In Person (Interns are required to be on-site for the entire duration of the Internship)
The Internship duration is 11 weeks, from May 18 to July 31, 2026
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Relocation Assistance is NOT available for this position.
Application Deadline: January 4, 2026.
Required application materials:
Please review our AI Usage guidelines here before submitting your application material:
- Resume
- Unofficial transcript
- Cover letter (not-to-exceed two pages and must include the following topics):
- Motivation for applying: Describe why you are interested in an internship at NSF NCAR. What aspects of NSF NCAR’s mission, research areas, or mentorship opportunities most appeal to you?
- Research Interests: Briefly summarize your primary research interests or topics you are most curious about within the Earth system sciences.
- Educational & Career Goals: Please describe how an internship would benefit your education and career goals. Discuss what you hope to contribute to the internship cohort and NESSI program.
What You Will Do
Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.
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. In addition to research in core geosciences, NSF NCAR has a strong interdisciplinary mission to apply knowledge from other fields to address significant issues in climate, weather, and related disciplines. Thus, there is also a significant opportunity for data science, social science, and science education projects. Research projects should be defined by the student's interest and the ability to pair them with a mentor working in a similar field or topic.
- Reports and Presentations: At the conclusion of the summer program, each intern prepares an oral and poster presentation of their work to be 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 an appropriate and professional manner, adhering to UCAR’s Code of Conduct. Interns are expected to participate during regular office hours, when NESSI functions fully, and while traveling for the internship.
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education and Experience REQUIRED:
- 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)
- Have some basic research and programming experience and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 5.0 scale)
- Ability to work on-site, full-time (40 hours per week) during the entire 11-week summer program
- 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 interact with mentors and peers in a manner that supports collaboration and inquiry
- Working knowledge of essential office and communication software (e.g., G Suite, email clients)
- Ability and willingness to work within the guidelines and policies of the organization and assigned workgroups
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 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 (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 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 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 the way 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.
Salary : $23