Penn State Sustainable Physics
Penn State·University Park, PA
Closed for cyclePhysical SciencesComputational/Data Science✓ verified
This summer undergraduate research program at Penn State Physics focuses on contributing to novel physics research, and how physics research intersects with sustainability. REU students will do research in one of our many research topics, spanning the the subatomic (quantum materials, photonics, neutrinos) to the cosmos (dark matter, multi-messenger astrophysics, cosmology theory, gravity waves) and everything in-between (optical materials, computation, simulation, physics education). As part of the program, students will have professional development training in science communication, attend research seminars and learn about how physics research interacts with sustainability issues (carbon-footprint, chemical waste, power usage, or the social/environmental side of large-scale observatories). A highlight of the program is participating in science outreach and an end-of-summer multi-program research symposium. REU participants receive a stipend ($7000), free housing, and travel reimbursement (up to $800) Research topics include: Neutrinos and Astroparticle Physics Experiment Dark Matter Experiment Cosmology and Gravity Theory Astrophysics Simulations Gravity Experiment Soft Condensed Matter Experiment Quantum and 2D Materials Experiments Nonlinear Optical Materials and Photonics Experiment Physics Education Research Condensed Matter and Materials Theory and Simulation Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Experiment For more information about possible research projects, professional development opportunities, sustainability in physics, outreach and social activities please see the website: https://sites.psu.edu/physicsREU Application review begins Feb 16. Priority given to applications received by Feb 16 due to ETAP website updates. First round of applications are being reviewed. Later applications will be reviewed as opportunities become available.
Physics, Sustainability, Cosmology, Gravity, Condensed Matter, Simulations, Materials Science, Physics Education Research, Atomic Physics, Optical Materials, Particle Physics, Astrophysics, Chemistry
All applicants should be interested in experimental, theoretical, or computational Physics or Materials research. Applicant should be a current undergraduate who will not have graduated before Summer 2026, with a minimum GPA around 3.0. Applicants must be US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Applicants must be 18 years old at the start of the program. Penn State Students may be international students due to alternate funding options.
1 dated report placed on the cycle calendar. Each dot is one applicant who reported their decision date.
Reported by 5 past applicants — these are the dates students heard back, not the program's official timeline.
Anonymized one-line notes — timing details, interview observations, spot counts.
“650+ applications for 15 spots”