Research experience is an invaluable part of an undergraduate's physics education. In addition to being an essential part of the evaluation process for graduate school or industry, such experiences help students determine which fields of research interest them the most.
On Campus Opportunities
Many UC Davis professors include one or more undergraduates in their research groups. Students interested in joining a research group should contact the professor directly.
In 2024, the department's Graduate Student Association (GradOPS) compiled a spreadsheet of faculty willing to work with undergraduate students on research in the near term, along with prospective project details and prerequisites.
UC Davis Resources
All students should familiarize themselves with the UC Davis Career Center, which offers a wide range of career development resources, including advising, workshops, resume and interview preparation, and other general career-readiness guidance.
- Handshake – students automatically receive access to Handshake through UC Davis, where they can search for internships, jobs, and discover career-related events
- LinkedIn – LinkedIn can be used to explore alumni career paths, learn where students currently work, and connect with professionals in fields of interest
Internship Information Meetings
The following resources are from the November 2024 Internship Information Session.
- Internship Overview - Eric Prebys
- Internships in Industry - Tony Tyson
Physics Internship Directory
Opportunity | Description | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program offers undergraduates research experiences at U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories where they will work alongside scientists in their field of interest. | January | |
The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), an astronomical research institution, employs highly motivated undergraduates for the Space Astronomy Summer Program (SASP) to work individually with STScI researchers and staff on projects that include topics such as data reduction and interpretation, software development, software engineering, instrument calibration and support, scientific writing, and public outreach. | January | |
The Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) is an eight-week summer internship for rising-senior undergraduates, held annually on the East and West coasts of the United States. Students gain hands-on research experience in all aspects of a scientific campaign by engaging in field research and data analysis, with access to one or more NASA Airborne Science Program flying science laboratories. | January | |
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) advances healthcare through applying physical principles to medicine and biology. | February | |
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Scholars Program offers undergraduates opportunities to contribute to research in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, environmental management and more. | February | |
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute, a non-profit private, scientific research institution located in California’s Silicon Valley, invites you to apply for a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates program for highly motivated students who are interested in research related to astronomy, astrobiology, and planetary science. Students will work with scientists at the SETI Institute and NASA Ames Research Center. Research topics span the field of astrobiology, from microbiology to planetary geology to observational astronomy. | February | |
Summer Research Early Identification Program | The Leadership Alliance | The Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) is a fully paid summer internship that provides undergraduates with training and mentoring in the principles underlying the conduct of research and prepares them to pursue competitive applications to PhD or MD-PhD programs.
| February |
The JPL Summer Internship Program offers 10-week, full-time, summer internship opportunities at JPL to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Students are partnered with JPL scientists or engineers, who serve as the students' mentors. Students complete designated projects outlined by their mentors, gaining educational experience in their fields of study while also contributing to NASA and JPL missions and science. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of enrichment activities, including tours, lectures and career advisement, arranged by the Academic Engagement Office.
| March | |
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program provides undergraduates with the opportunity to conduct mentored research through a 10 week summer program. Students complete an independent research project and present their findings in both a technical paper and oral presentation. | March | |
NASA offers two major internship programs for students: Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships and Pathways Internships. Both provide the chance to work with NASA experts and contribute to real missions. OSTEM builds technical skills and gives students hands‑on exposure to NASA missions. Pathways offers a structured employment pipeline into civil service. | See website | |
SPS Jobs has listings for the latest internship, research experiences for undergraduates (REU), and summer research jobs in physics and the physical science and engineering fields; and jobs in specialized disciplines like applied physics, biophysics, materials, astronomy and space science, computational physics, condensed matter physics, astrophysics, mathematics, and more. | See website | |
The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports research and education in science across the U.S. and funds projects that advance discovery and innovation. NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs offer summer research opportunities where undergraduates work closely with faculty on active research projects at universities and research institutions. | See website | |
The Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP) has a database that includes over 1,000 programs in a variety of disciplines and education levels. Search for internships, jobs, and fellowships. | See website | |
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs are an excellent way for undergraduates to become acquainted with scientific research and graduate student life. REU programs typically consist of an intensive 10 week summer research experience at a university different from your own. | See website | |
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Science, Technology and Policy Opportunities | The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Science, Technology, and Policy (STP) Program offers scientists and engineers the opportunity to work on policy-related projects at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Washington, D.C. Participants will gain insight into the development and implementation of federal energy policy while applying their technical knowledge to energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. | See website |
The WAVE Fellows Program is a 10 week paid summer experience at Caltech designed to increase access to graduate education in STEM fields through mentored research and professional development. Fellows will conduct an independent research project, participate in seminars and workshops, and present their work at a symposium. | See website |