CW3E Internship Program

We are now accepting applications for the summer 2024 program! Please click here to apply. The application deadline is January 13, 2024 (firm deadline). We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible to assist with our review process. Students will be notified of their acceptance in March 2024.

Purpose

  • The Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) leads research and operational programs aimed to better understand and improve the predictability of extreme weather events in the western U.S., such as atmospheric rivers, among many other research areas. For more information on what we do, please browse our website.
  • All undergraduate students are encouraged to apply, regardless of experience level. The goal of this program is to provide summer research opportunities to undergraduate students who are interested in one or more of CW3E’s research areas.
  • We encourage students to apply who have not had prior research experience. This program welcomes applications from both students with prior research experience and students who have not had prior research experience or may not have access to a research lab at their home institution, however, the overall goal of the program is to expand access to summer research opportunities to those who may not have had them before.

Program Details

Timeline: 9 week program from June 22 – August 24, 2023 (dates are tentative)

Location: Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus in La Jolla, CA. Two interns will be located in Colorado: one co-hosted with the Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI) and one co-hosted with the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) and Colorado Mountain College (CMC).

Compensation: $19/hr for 35-40 hours/week primarily during regular business hours. Paid housing on the UCSD campus and travel to San Diego are provided. The Colorado-placed interns will also have housing provided. Other costs, including food and parking will not be reimbursed and are the responsibility of the intern.

Program Eligibility

  • Undergraduate students are eligible to apply. We will also accept applications from undergraduate students who plan to graduate in May/June 2024.
  • No prior research or professional experience is required. All students who are interested in gaining hands-on research experience in one or more of CW3E’s research areas are encouraged to apply, regardless of experience level.
  • For international students, we are unable to reimburse any visa application costs and we can only pay a portion of travel costs.

Application

  • Click here to apply!
  • The application form consists of several short and longer answer questions to gauge your interests, motivations, and experience.
  • You will also be asked to upload a copy of your resume, unofficial transcript, and contact information for at least one reference. An official transcript may need to be provided upon request.
  • Applications will be evaluated primarily based on your submitted resume and short/long answer responses. Points will be awarded for clearly articulating your motivations for applying, how you hope the program will benefit you, and any unique experiences/perspectives you will bring to CW3E.

Desired Outcomes

  • Students will complete a research project guided by an advanced graduate student, postdoctoral scholar, or staff researcher at CW3E, YVSC, AGCI, and/or CMC.
  • CW3E and partners will provide a hands-on and interactive learning experience for the visiting students. In addition to the primary research project, there will also be organized weekly discussions and other events.
  • Students will gain skills in areas including meteorology, data analysis, scientific visualizations, and oral/written presentations.
  • Students may have the opportunity to participate in fieldwork in sites across the western U.S.

Program Expectations

  • In-person attendance. Dormitory housing on the UCSD campus, or in Colorado, will be provided.
  • Students will keep a detailed research notebook of their methods and results so that work on their project may be continued after the program ends.
  • Students will deliver a 2-page summary and a final research presentation of their project at the end of the internship.

Potential Project Topics

  1. On the use of data-driven weather models for meteorological forecasting
  2. Future Projections of ARs and Precipitation in Select California Watersheds
  3. Scientific Software Development for Statistical Learning
  4. Monitoring Soil Moisture in the Yampa River Basin, Colorado
  5. Exploring Soil Moisture Variability Across a Landscape
  6. Impacts of 2024 Atmospheric River Reconnaissance observations on NCEP GFS
  7. Applying Principles of Environmental Justice to Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations

Please refer to this page for a summary of previous years’ interns and their projects.

Contact

For more information or questions about the program please contact Laura Martin.