Position Type:
Term - Casual (Fixed Term)
Visa Sponsored Job:
No
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
No
Hiring Range:
$24.32/hour
Please note:
- Student Assistants may not work more than 1,000 hours in any 12-month period.
- This is a 1-year term role, and to qualify, the student must be enrolled and maintain "Student Status" for the entire term.
*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.
Application Closes at 11:59pm Mountain Time on:
2026-11-06
About the Role
Ready to kickstart your career in supercomputing? The Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) is looking for a curious, hands-on student to join our team. You’ll work alongside experienced engineers on experimental supercomputing systems, including GPU-based hardware, and help evaluate the technologies that may shape the next generation of computing for NCAR’s scientific community.
This is a learning-by-doing position. You’ll be trusted with real problems, supported by mentors, and expected to dig in, ask good questions, and figure things out.
This 1-year Term Student Assistant III role works alongside senior project staff in the Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) to support the deployment, maintenance, and optimization of high-performance computing (HPC), storage, networking, and software systems for atmospheric and Earth science research. Depending on the candidate's skill set, core responsibilities include collaborating with High Performance Computing Division (HPCD) staff to support and maintain research and development lab environments, as well as assisting with the installation, administration, benchmarking, and troubleshooting of HPC hardware, operating systems, and specialized software tools.
Additional opportunities involve tuning storage and batch schedulers, running analytics, porting NCAR applications to experimental architectures such as GPU environments, and receiving mentorship training to collaborate with and guide junior HPC students and interns.
Job Description
Responsibilities:
- Gains experience with user application code on existing and new hardware and software technologies. Learns to support software products, system administration tools, and monitoring utilities to maximize the availability and flexibility of the experimental HPC systems. Works with mentors to develop new tools and analytics, and/or enhance existing tools, analytics, and software subsystems for the experimental HPC environment.
- Tests and evaluates new computing, storage, and networking technologies, associated software stacks, and potential applications for NCAR applications. Develops knowledge of emerging technologies and how they might enhance the NCAR user experience. Assists with the preparation and delivery of technical reports and presentations on the research findings from this work
- Assists with writing and presenting recommendations to HPCD management for HPC hardware and software products, configurations, and functional enhancements or upgrades. May also propose, research, design, and implement new projects, tools, or process improvements to benefit the team and the environment
- Learns basic systems administration and maintenance of multi-vendor open-source HPC systems and gains experience monitoring the behavior of experimental HPC systems on a routine, periodic basis to ensure proper, efficient operation for all stakeholders. Helps plan and execute installations and upgrades to multi-vendor HPC software systems.
Education & Experience:
- Must be enrolled for the entire duration of the appointment (or intend to enroll in the next regular session) for credit in an accredited secondary or postsecondary school, college or University, or in a trade school that has received a Certificate or Approval from the Colorado State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge and understanding of computer, storage, and networking systems components
- Ability to work with a team and convey technical concepts to management and senior engineers
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Skill in organizing and prioritizing assignments
Desired (but not required):
- Experience with fundamental software and systems engineering concepts and practices
- Experience with at least one portable scripting language such as Python or Bash
- Experience with at least one GNU/Linux distribution
- Familiarity with scientific visualization
- Familiarity with open source software development and distribution
- Familiarity with AI/ML/DL
- Familiarity with GPGPU programming
- Ability to mentor and train students and visitors
Application Requirements
Questionnaire, Resume/CV
Submit all required application materials by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline. Only candidates with complete applications (including questionnaires, when required) will be considered.
We recognize that no candidate will meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If you believe your background has prepared you for success in this role, we encourage you to apply.
Candidates selected for hire will complete background checks and/or federal screenings.
Additional Information
UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes all applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. You don’t need to include age-related information, such as birth or graduation dates, in your initial application.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on an employee. Please inform your Recruiter if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.
Visa Sponsorship: UCAR can sponsor H-1B status only for candidates already in the U.S. who hold H-1B status or another status that allows a change to H-1B within the country. We cannot sponsor new H-1B visas that require consular processing abroad.
Compliance and Location: All roles must comply with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. Hybrid staff work on-site 3 days per week or equivalent, based on their flexible work arrangement. UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use: AI tools are permitted, but we strongly encourage candidates to submit primarily original work.
