The Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC) is opening applications for Summer 2024 undergraduate Internships. After a year on pause, SCEC is proud to revive these impactful programs that have supported the research endeavors of over 700 undergraduate students since their inception in 1994. SCEC Internships offer students the opportunity to engage in meaningful research experiences alongside leading scientists in the field of earthquake science. The diverse range of projects includes paleoseismic field investigations, 3D fault mapping, ground motion simulations, high-performance computing applications, and hazard analysis.

SCEC Internships are fully funded and include travel and lodging expenses. Undergraduate students interested in earthquake science have the opportunity to apply for two internship programs: 

• The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) internship pairs undergraduate seniors with researchers who provide in-person, technical training at the mentor’s institution for an 8-week summer term. Participants are immersed in the research environment (lab or field) and collaborate with other interns, graduate students, and postdocs. 

• The Supported Opportunities for Undergraduates and Researchers to Collaborate on Earthquakes (SOURCES) internship offers remote, summer and academic year undergraduate research opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and institutions across the nation regardless of their ability to travel, geographic location, or access to local researchers and/or facilities. The summer and year-round internships components include interdisciplinary research opportunities, professional development training, and mentoring. 

SCEC internships incorporate key professional skills development with geoscience and systems thinking and problem-solving. SCEC interns receive professional and mentorship skills training and learn about interdisciplinary research in earthquake science to address challenging scientific and societal problems. Interns participate in community-building opportunities such as the All-Intern Field Trip to explore the active tectonics of the San Andreas Fault System and the SCEC Annual Meeting to present their summer research. 

Aspiring undergraduate researchers can submit their applications at scec.org/internships/apply. To be considered in the initial round of internship offers, applications must be received by February 19, 2024. Submissions will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled, with those received after the deadline reviewed as space allows.

For additional details, please visit scec.org/internships or reach out to us at internships@scec.org. 

About the Author

Gabriela Noriega is SCEC's Director of Experiential Learning and Career Advancement, a focus area within SCEC's Communication, Education, and Outreach program at SCEC, where she leads STEM education and career development initiatives to provide early-career scientists and students with resources and mentoring across key career transitions. Dr. Noriega manages SCEC’s Internships and Transitions Programs, and supports the coordination of public-private partnerships that work together to improve earthquake preparedness, mitigation, and resilience.