2025 NSF SOARS First-Year Protege

Visa Sponsored Job:

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Position Type & Term:

$22.79/hour (up to $911.60/week), untaxed

*Please note that NSF SOARS Proteges stipends are not taxed, and as such will need to file a 1099 for personal tax reporting/filing purposes.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm MT on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Applications will not be accepted past this date, and candidates will receive a status update no later than Friday, March 14, 2025.

Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format):

• Unofficial Transcripts from all institutions attended (uploaded at the time of application).

  • Please remove/blackout your social security number and/or birth date if it is shown on your unofficial/official transcript(s).

  • Do Not include High School transcripts.

• NSF SOARS 2024 Application (via this PDF form & uploaded at the time of application).

  • Download, complete, and save the PDF form with this naming convention:
    First Name, Last Name - 2025 NSF SOARS Application (e.g. Marissa Vara - 2025 NSF SOARS Application).

    • Upload your SOARS application in Workday (in place of a Resume/Cover Letter).

      • Resource: NSF SOARS Selection Considerations & Application Instructions.

• Reference Contact Information (to be entered at the time of application).

  • Two (2) Recommenders:

    • At least one (1) from a faculty member/professor, the other can be from a mentor, supervisor, or other professional.

    • You will need to tell your references they will be contacted Monday, February 3 - Monday, February 10, 2025, if needed.

Background checks are conducted for candidates who are offered the internship opportunity. Learn more.

Work Authorization/Visa Sponsorship: Not available. You must be (a) a current U.S. Citizen; (b) lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; or (c) a protected individual as defined by 8 USC1324b(a)(3).

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

Duration of Internship: Monday, May 19, 2025 - Friday, August 2, 2025 (11 weeks)

Travel & Accommodation: NSF SOARS Proteges will receive housing accommodations and round-trip travel to Boulder, CO for this internship. Please note that the benefits listed below in the Benefits Overview section do not apply to summer interns.

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

Key Responsibilities

NSF SOARS Proteges will have access to the following opportunities and experiences through their internship:

Research

• Engage in scientific research at UCAR|NCAR|UCP and/or partnering laboratories in Boulder, Colorado.

• Primarily follow the guidance of scientific/research mentors.

Presentations and Reports

• Participate in all NSF SOARS training, including the Scientific Communication and Writing Workshop, the Computation and Data Science Workshop, skills, leadership, and professional development.

• Submit weekly writing assignments by assigned deadlines.

• Prepare and present two (2) scientific talks, a poster, and submit an abstract by the conclusion of the summer program.

• Option to attend at least one (1) national scientific conference to present summer research through oral and/or poster presentations. May also support NSF SOARS outreach efforts at conferences. (Conference attendance is funded by NSF SOARS, and may occur during the academic year.)

Seminars

• Participate in technical and career seminars with peers and scientists.

Community and Professional Behavior

• As part of a diverse community of peers working and living together, Proteges are expected to contribute positively to the community and conduct themselves appropriately in a professional environment.

• Participate during normal office hours, at NSF SOARS functions, and while on NSF SOARS-funded travel.

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

Education & Experience

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program; or associate's degree program;

• Working toward an academic major in atmospheric science or a related field, (e.g. geosciences, chemistry, computer science, earth science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, meteorology, oceanography, physics, or social and behavioral sciences) and an interest in pursuing a career in atmospheric or related STEM disciplines;

• Must have at least one (1) semester of undergraduate coursework remaining after the initial summer program.

  • Bachelor's degree holders are ineligible to apply.

Not required but will be reviewed with other materials:

• Completed two (2) years of college or the equivalent;

  • Community College students and Associates degree holders are welcome and encouraged to apply.

• Possess some college science and math coursework;

• A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher; if your GPA is less than 3.0, please address the circumstances in your Academic Statement of Purpose essay.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Willingness to contribute to the NSF SOARS mission (please see soars.ucar.edu for more details).

• Interest and desire to expand knowledge in the Earth System Sciences or related fields.

• Ability/potential to lead and collaborate with a diverse group of peers and mentors.

• Desire/potential to excel in a STEM career.

STEP 1. Prepare, collect, and organize unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate institutions you have attended into one (1) PDF.

• Here are two resources for combining multiple documents into a single PDF: How To Combine Files into One PDF; How To Combine PDFs into One File.

STEP 2. Download, complete, and save the NSF SOARS Application PDF Form. Be sure to use this naming convention: First Name, Last Name - 2025 NSF SOARS Application (e.g. Marissa Vara - 2025 NSF SOARS Application).

• You will be asked to write two (2) essays as part of your NSF SOARS application. Here are the prompts:

  • ACADEMIC STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
    What are your career aspirations and how will participating in NSF SOARS help you meet these goals? If you are undecided in your career aspirations, what makes you most passionate and/ or excited about learning more about this field?

  • NSF SOARS MISSION AND PERSONAL JOURNEY:
    NSF SOARS is designed to broaden the participation of systematically marginalized communities in the atmospheric and related sciences. This program was created to promote and support research, mentoring, and community. Based on your identities and life experiences, (including cultural, educational, familial, social, etc.) how will you contribute to the NSF SOARS mission during and after your participation?

STEP 3. Prepare and submit your application through Workday (see detailed instructions here), including attaching/uploading your unofficial transcripts from Step 1, and your official NSF SOARS Application from Step 2.

• Application Questionnaire

  • A brief questionnaire will be embedded within the Workday application. You will not be able to submit your application without answering the required questions.

  • Contact information for two (2) Professional Recommenders.

    • Applicants are responsible for contacting and instructing their Recommenders to review the NSF SOARS website for additional information.

• For help with the Workday application process, please reach out to Meghan Myron-Karels (myronkarels@ucar.edu).

• For general questions regarding the NSF SOARS Protege Internship, please contact Marissa Vara (marissav@ucar.edu).

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.