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PREP Undergrad Student Assistant II - in the Quantum Nanophotonics Group under the Applied Physics Division at NIST (PREP0003380)

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.


The Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) is a special partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder. PREP provides research opportunities to CU undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists.

Research Location: 

At NIST in the Quantum Nanophotonics Group under the Applied Physics Division.

Summary of Position:

  • Development of computer code to simulate superconducting optoelectronic networks or other neuromorphic computing systems on a high-performance computing cluster.
  • Key Responsibilities:
  • Investigating GPU-optimized methods for simulating superconducting optoelectronic networks.
  • Developing new methods to simulate neuromorphic systems on high-performance computing clusters.
  • Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
  • Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization.

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • In-progress bachelor’s degree in computer science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
  • At least one (1) year of relevant experience with simulation methods on high-performance computing clusters.
  • Familiarity with programming languages such as C++, Python, Java, SQL.
  • Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to simulate complex networks.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Length of Term (if applicable): 

  • Start Date: 6/15/25
  • End Date: 12/31/25

Eligibility to be in PREP:

  • Must currently possess a 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • Must be a degree seeking student through CU Boulder.

Hourly Rate: 

  • $21.29

If interested, please send your resume/CV to Lisa Valencia at recruitprep@colorado.edu. The finalist will be required to submit their resume, transcript, and one letter of recommendation.


Privacy Act Statement


Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)


Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s degree holders, graduate students, master’s degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.


PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.


Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.


Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.