Standards Coordination Office Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SCO SURF) Opportunities

Have you ever considered getting hands-on experience in the documentary standards arena?  Does an economic analysis of the impacts of a standard intrigue you?  Consider participating in the NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program through the Standards Coordination Office (SCO) to gain useful experience and an understanding of the process of standards development while working at NIST and getting paid.  SCO can provide one or more positions through the NIST SURF program. 

Research opportunities advance the development or assessment of performance standards and test methods of benefit to manufacturers, end users, and federal agencies.  For certain projects, students will split time between NIST research labs for hands-on laboratory experience and SCO for experience in documentary standards development. 

Research opportunities advance the development or assessment of performance standards and test methods of benefit to manufacturers, end users, and federal agencies.  For certain projects, students will split time between NIST research labs for hands-on laboratory experience and SCO for experience in documentary standards development. 

Types of Projects

Below are titles of recent SCO SURF student final presentations that provide an idea of the kinds of research being conducted.

• Harmonizing Standards: Reviewing Military and Law Enforcement PPE Performance Standards
• Development of Standards within ISO/TC 276-Biotechnology
• What is the Meaning of Life? Terminology and Measurement Assurance for Biotechnology Standards

Relevant Academic Majors

Here is some of the background training we are looking for, but don’t let this list limit your interest in a SCO SURF opportunity – we welcome uniqueness and diversity!

physical science, materials science, engineering, biology, computer science, economics, international relations, political science

Application Process

If you are interested in a SCO SURF position, please visit this page for application information.  https://www.nist.gov/surf/surf-gaithersburg/application

In your application under special skills, please indicate your interest in applying to SCO so we can identify you.  It would help our selection process if you could email us after you have submitted the application so that we can be on the lookout for your name.  All openings are filled through a selection process.

Any questions?  Please email nrioux [at] nist.gov (nrioux[at]nist[dot]gov).