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UC Merced Physics REU

UC Merced Physics REU

Research Experiences for Undergraduates

UC Merced Department of Physics

Summer 2025

The Department of Physics at UC Merced will host an NSF REU program in summer 2025 pending renewal through the National Science Foundation. The program started in 2022, supporting cohorts of 10 students each summer. Projects will span a range of subfields in physics, both experimental and theoretical, including biophysics; condensed matter and solar energy; atomic, molecular, and optical physics and quantum optics; nonlinear dynamics; soft condensed matter; and astrophysics. 

REU dates: June 2 - August 8, 2024

Stipend: $6,000 plus on-campus housing and meals

Application date: Feb. 10, 2024 initial review date and accepted until positions are filled.  

(Note: California State University students can also apply through Cal-Bridge.)

To apply: Please complete the online application (to be posted in December 2024). NOTE: You will be asked for demographic/contact information, the names and contacts of two references, a pdf of a current transcript (unofficial is ok), and answers to the following questions: 1. Describe your interest in the UC Merced Physics REU program. How will it help you further your academic and/or career interests? 2. Please describe any research skills or work experience that might be helpful in participating in the REU. 3. If you have specific research interests or goals for this summer program, please describe them here. You will also be asked to indicate your preferences, if any, among the available research areas. We encourage you to collect this information before starting the application. 

Recommendation letters: Two recommendation letters will be requested as part of your application.

For additional information: Please contact Professor Brian Utter, brianutter@ucmerced.edu 

Research areas and mentors:

Program: In addition to conducting research, students will participate in a variety of social and professional development activities as part of the Summer Research Institute (SURI) organized by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center. These include boot camps on research skills, training on effectively presenting research results, panels on the graduate school admissions process, and a variety of additional activities. (For a current list, see the SURI web page.)

Eligibility: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents and currently enrolled as an undergraduate student with plans to continue as an undergraduate in the fall. Applicants must be 18 years or older to participate. 

Sample Research Projects: 

Please follow this link to see a summary of Summer 2024 REU projects.  

2022 SURI Symposium

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. PHY-2150531. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.