EEEL SURF Program

Application Deadline: February 17

The Electronics and Electrical Engineering  Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology has a 11-week Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF). 

The SURF program is designed to provide hands-on research experience in electrotechnology. This program builds on the phenomenal success of the other SURF programs at NIST. NIST is located just outside Washington, DC. [directions...] 

Available research opportunities in EEEL:

In the Quantum Electrical Metrology Division (previously Electricity Division)  

• Fundamental Electrical Measurements
• National Electrical Standards
• Electrical Power Systems   
• Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing
• High Resistance Metrology
• Measurement Science: Fundamental Constants
• Electronic Kilogram Experiment
• Condensed matter physics research on graphene and novel    low dimensional materials for new quantum and intrinsic electrical standards
• Multijunction Thermal Converters for Precision AC Voltage and Current Metrology

In the Semiconductor Electronics Division and Office of Microelectronics Programs

CMOS and Novel Electronics

• Theoretical Physics for Nanoelectronics
• Molecular Electronics
• Hybrid Molecular Electronic/CMOS Circuits
• Organic Electronics
• Scanning Probe Microscopy
• Scanning Probe Microscopy:  Programming a Digital Signal Processor and Field Programmable Gate Array
• Reliability of Nanoelectronics
• High-k and Metal Gate Research by Atomic Layer Deposition
• Analog Circuit Design and Test for Small Capacitance    Measurement

MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS)

• Microfluidic chip for DNA amplification
• Biotechnology/Bioengineering
• System-on-a-Chip (SoC)
• Automating Measurements for High-Voltage,    High-Frequency Silicon- Carbide Power Diodes Parameter Extraction Software    Tools
• Microelectronic Test Structures
• Microscopic Robotics
• Selection of Optimum Processing for Special-Purpose Silicon Chips

In the Office of Law Enforcement Standards

• Weapons & Protective Systems
• Law Enforcement Standards
•  Forensic Sciences
• Detection, Inspection, and Enforcement Technologies

-- and many others!

The Fellowship will include a $4,000 stipend, and travel and housing allowances. Applications should be submitted by the school's academic departments.

There are SURF programs in every laboratory of NIST. Check out their web pages as well! Please list your first, second, and third choice of the seven laboratories. Your application will be considered by all seven.

Student Eligibility Criteria

• Must be enrolled as an undergraduate at a U.S. university or college with a scientific major.
• Intend to pursue a graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in    engineering, physical science, or information technology.
• GPA of 3.0/4.0, or better.
• Must be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Two letters of recommendation into the program by    physics, chemistry or engineering professors/department chairs, student transcript, and letter of intent/personal statement.

Plan of Operation

• SURFers work directly with NIST Research Advisors.
• SURFers participate in weekly seminar program, during    which Fellows and Advisors present their research projects; SURFers also participate in extramural group activities intended to enrich the fellowship experience. 
• Fellows are encouraged to present their research results at National Meetings.
• SURFers are encouraged, but not required to pursue their Ph.D. through NIST collaborative programs with local    universities. 
• Research advisors will be encouraged to visit the host    colleges to discuss NIST research.

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