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SURF Opportunities


Undergraduate Research

The 2025 SURF program will run from May 15 – August 2

and the application deadline is March 1, 2025.


The Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Utah offers a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) where students work closely with a faculty mentor and their research group on an individual project.

All interested students are invited to apply for this 11-week summer program. 

Program participants gain direct experience by working in ongoing experimental or theoretical research programs in the following fields:

Astronomy & Astrophysics
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Astroparticle Physics
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Biophysics
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Condensed Matter Physics
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High Energy Physics
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Physics Education Research
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SURF awardees will also attend weekly seminars on current research in Physics & Astronomy, in addition to professional development workshops offered by the UofU's Office of Undergraduate Research.  The program also includes several organized activities including a two-night camping and river rafting trip.  The experience culminates with a poster presentation of findings at a closing Symposium.  SURF awardees receive an hourly wage of $16 per hour up to a maximum of $7,000 for the Summer work period.

Eligibility 

SURF is open to all undergraduate majors in physics or astronomy who have not previously received funding from SURF and the University of Utah Physics & Astronomy Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. To be eligible: 

  • Applicants must be matriculated U of U physics/astronomy undergraduate majors 
  • Applicants must be eligible for university employment and must report their earnings when applying for other sources of financial aid. 

Application

Applicants should apply using the SURF application form, which is due on March 1, 2025.  Please prepare the following elements as part of the application and please note that you will be prompted to upload files into the application form.  In order to upload files, you will be prompted to log into a Google account; you can use a personal Gmail address, or you can use the University's Google platform:  UID@gcloud.utah.edu (where UID is your university ID number).
  1. Two Letters of Evaluation: Please contact two faculty members or others who can provide information about your interest and potential as a science student, scientist, and/or researcher. Your recommendation providers should send their letters to the following email address by the application deadline:  reu@physics.utah.edu
  2. Personal Statement:Part 1:  Discuss your interest in participating in the SURF program; how participation will fit into your goals (e.g., pursuit of graduate- or professional-level work in a specific discipline or area); the scientific questions that intrigue you and why; and the area in which you would like to conduct research. Be specific about your interests, as this will help facilitate your placement.Part 2:  Discuss your relevant background - academic, personal, and service; the special strengths, interests, and personal qualities that you bring to the program; and what you hope to gain from participating in the program.Your personal statement, including both parts, should be a maximum of 800 words.
  3. Unofficial Transcripts:You will need to upload a copy of your unofficial transcript into this form, including which courses you are taking this semester.

Compensation

SURF awardees will be hired as undergraduate research assistants with a wage of $16 per hour for the summer. They may work up to 40 hours per week with total earnings not to exceed $7,000.

Sponsors

Funds for the SURF program come from the Department of Physics & Astronomy.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us at: reu@physics.utah.edu