Description
The SIParCS Program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research is aimed at university students who are interested in pursuing a career in such areas as:
- Application Optimization
- Data Science
- Machine Learning
- Numerical Methods
- Software Engineering
- Supercomputing Systems Operations
- Visualization
Program dates are May 18- July 31, 2026. The goal of the SIParCS program is to make a long-term, positive impact on the quality and development of the workforce needed to use and operate 21st century supercomputers. Graduate students and undergraduate students (who have completed their sophomore year by summer) gain significant hands-on experience in high-performance computing and related fields that use HPC for scientific discovery and modeling.
This program embeds students as summer interns in the Computational and Information Systems Laboratory, an organization within NCAR charged with provisioning supercomputing and data systems to the geosciences research community. The roles of service and research in CISL support NCAR’s broad scientific mission of discovery in the atmospheric and related sciences.
Learn more about NSF NCAR as a science organization for a resilient, sustainable society.
Benefits
- Paid competitive hourly wage.
- 2026 Hourly rate for graduate students is $28.32/hour x 40 hours/week
- Housing with own room and shared bathroom.
- Travel funding to/from Boulder (from student's home university)
- RTD EcoPass for travel within Boulder/Denver Metro area
- Professional development workshops during the summer and opportunities for funding as an alum
- Networking opportunities with professionals and other interns
Please see our website https://www.cisl.ucar.edu/siparcs for Summer 2026 Projects and descriptions
Applications are accepted until January 20, 2026
SIParCS Office Hours
Want to talk to someone about how to apply to SIParCS or learn what the program is like? Join the SIParCS Office Hours on Google Meet! No appointment necessary, just drop in! If this time doesn't work for you, please email siparcs@ucar.edu to make an appointment.
- Wednesday, November 26, 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM MST
- Wednesday, December 3, 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM MST
- Wednesday, December 10, 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM MST
- Wednesday, December 17, 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM MST
- Monday, December 22, 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM MST
- Monday, December 29, 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM MST
- Wednesday, January 7, 2026 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM MST
- Friday, January 9, 10:00AM - 10:50 AM MST
- Monday, January 12, 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM MST
- Wednesday, January 14, 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM MST
- Friday, January 16, 10:00AM - 10:50 AM MST
- Tuesday, January 20, 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM MST
**Applications are due on Jan 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM MST**
All Office Hours will be held on Google Meet (http://meet.google.com/dvj-uthy-cor) and times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be available full-time 40 hours/week from May 18 - July 31, 2026
- Must currently be enrolled in a U.S. university
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. to be eligible for the SIParCS program.
- For F visa students accepted to the SIParCS program, CPT work authorization issued through a U.S. Designated School Official (DSO) or OPT issued through both a DSO and the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be required. International Students at U.S. Schools welcomed and encouraged to apply.
Preferred Skills/Abilities
- Ability to work with a diverse group of peers
- Skill in the use of software for communication purposes (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email)
- Ability and willingness to learn and use scientific computing tools and programs
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Basic problem solving skills
- Ability to analyze data and draw conclusions
- Potential to excel in a scientific career
- Basic knowledge of mathematics, computer science or engineering - through coursework
- Ability to work full-time during the summer program
- Ability to interact with mentors & peers in a manner to support collaboration and inquiry
- Ability and willingness to work within guidelines and policies of organization and assigned work groups
Summer Expectations
- Attend technical seminars
- Attend skill-enhancing workshops
- Give an oral presentation of results
- Create a scientific poster and present at poster session
