Opportunities for Undergraduates

COFFIES provides diverse undergraduates with authentic research experiences to spark their interest in STEM; increase their understanding of modern research methodologies and practices; inspire and support their higher education trajectories; and cultivate a sense of possible self that includes careers in solar research, NASA science, academia, and industry. In order to meet these objectives, we are gathering and advertising here the wealth of undergraduate opportunities that are available throughout COFFIES’ member institutions.

NOTE: If you are a member of COFFIES and have an undergraduate opportunity not listed here, please contact Dan Zevin.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

For many years now, the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program has connected undergraduates with a research mentor and/or team in their chosen field via a 7-10 week, paid, hands-on, summer work experience. Students not only conduct a research project from start to finish during this time, but they also have opportunities to gain professional skills (such as communicating science concepts effectively), network with other students and researchers, and attend major research conferences (such as the American Geophysical Union’s annual fall meeting). Most students who participate say that they find the REU experience extremely worthwhile!

APPLY TO A COFFIES REU!

Undergraduate students from any college or university are encouraged to apply to the REU programs taking place at the following COFFIES member institutions:

ASSURE
The Advancing Space Science through Undergraduate Research Experience (ASSURE) REU program, located at the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, provides paid summer internships for undergraduate students to conduct cutting-edge research under the mentorship of leading experts in space science and engineering. The program is geared primarily for community college students and others without significant research experience nor research opportunities.

Internships and Other Opportunities for Undergraduates

In addition to REU programs, COFFIES member institutions also offer a variety of other opportunities for undergraduate students. Some are available only to students already enrolled at the sponsoring institution, while others are also open students from outside the home institution. Please check the location/enrollment requirements of each opportunity carefully.

Please Note: We are always checking for new undergraduate opportunities throughout COFFIES’ member institutions, so please check this page frequently for updates!

Undergraduate Opportunities at UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL)
SSL is committed to sustaining a vibrant, diverse, inclusive, and supported undergraduate community. Undergraduate student opportunities at SSL usually offer academic credits through campus programs and department collaborations, or hourly pay via direct hires. Occasionally supervisors will consider non-UC Berkeley students for these positions (though mostly for direct hires only). Please check each job description carefully for eligibility requirements, and/or contact the position supervisor directly. For details and a list of available opportunities, please visit https://www.ssl.berkeley.edu/students/undergraduate/.

Undergraduate Education Team Members

ALL COFFIES members are expected to participate in initiatives that support and/or provide undergraduate education opportunities. The following people are organizing members of the undergraduate education team:

Former COFFIES REU students