Student Research Intern

SOARS is dedicated to broadening participation in the atmospheric and related sciences. SOARS is an undergraduate to graduate program built around a summer research internship, mentoring by top scientists and engineers, and a supportive learning community. In addition to the summer internship, SOARS includes year-round support, funding to attend conferences and last-dollar tuition scholarships. Successful Protégés are eligible to participate in the program for up to four years. SOARS anticipates a hybrid summer experience; two weeks virtually, nine weeks in -person in Boulder, CO.

Selection Considerations

SOARS encourages applications from individuals who are members of communities that are historically marginalized in the atmospheric and related sciences; including students who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hispanic or Latinx, women, first-generation college students, veterans, and students with disabilities. Students from Minority Serving Institutions are encouraged to apply. SOARS welcomes students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community; students who have experienced, and worked to overcome educational or economic disadvantages, and/or have personal or family circumstances that may complicate their continued progress in research careers.

The following attributes are required:

• Academic majors in atmospheric science or a related field such as the 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.
• Completion of at least one semester of undergraduate studies remaining after the initial summer program (graduating seniors are not eligible to apply). Bachelor’s degree holders are ineligible.
• United States Citizenship or Permanent-Resident status

Your completed SOARS application needs:

• The SOARS application questionnaire
• Two (2) letters of recommendation
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Two (2) essay questions, each with a limit of 500 words. Essay questions carry considerable weight for the application, please be thoughtful with your responses.

The essay questions are as follows:

1. Academic Statement of Purpose: A statement outlining your career goals and how participating in SOARS will help you meet these goals.
2. SOARS Mission and Personal Journey: SOARS is dedicated to enhancing the diversity of future scientific communities and sharing our science with a broader audience.  Please describe how you, based on your personal background and life experiences (including cultural, educational, familial, and social, etc.) will contribute to this mission during and after participation in SOARS.

Not required but will be reviewed with other materials: 

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; if your GPA is less than this, please address the circumstances in your essay.
• Completed two (2) years of college, or the equivalent. Community College students and Associates’ degree holders are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Vaccine Requirements:

As required by Executive Order 14042, all Federal Contractor employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law.

Effective immediately, UCAR requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated prior to entering on duty, subject to such exceptions as required by law.

If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by December 21, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with UCAR, if after December 21, 2021. UCAR will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of UCAR a legally required exception from this requirement.