If you are a UC San Diego undergraduate student with a basic understanding of Linux and Python, and you want practical, resume-worthy experience in high-performance computing, we are looking for you.
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) is running two summer training institutes this year, and we need student volunteers to help our instructors during the hands-on sessions. This is a great way to learn about supercomputing while helping others learn too — and you get it on your official transcript.
What you would do
As a student volunteer, you will:
- Review session materials in advance (about 1-2 hours per session)
- Be present in the room during hands-on tutorials
- Walk around and help participants who get stuck on exercises
You do not need to be an expert. Familiarity with the Linux terminal, basic Python, and git is enough. If you have used a cluster or Jupyter notebook before, even better — but it is not required.
The two institutes
You can volunteer for one or both of these programs:
CIML Summer Institute — June 23-25, 2026. Best practices for machine learning on supercomputers.
HPC & Data Science Summer Institute — July 23 to August 4, 2026. A week-long introduction to HPC systems, parallel computing, AI/ML workflows, and data science at scale.
What you get
- CCR credit on your official UC San Diego transcript. The Co-Curricular Record is an official university credential that appears alongside your grades. It shows employers and grad schools that you have practical experience beyond coursework.
- Hands-on exposure to real supercomputing. You will see how a professional training program works at one of the world’s top HPC centers.
- Networking. Work alongside SDSC staff, researchers, and HPC professionals from across the country.
- 30+ hours of verified engagement. Combined across both institutes and preparation time, the total commitment is roughly 30-40 hours.
Eligibility
- Currently enrolled UC San Diego undergraduate student
- Basic experience with Linux command line and git
- Python experience is a plus
- Available during the institute dates above (plus a few hours of preparation beforehand)
How to apply
Apply through our Handshake posting: https://ucsd.joinhandshake.com/public/jobs/11000308
You need a valid UCSD student account to access Handshake. If you do not have one, you cannot apply through this channel.
Full details about the volunteer role, responsibilities, and CCR credit are on our Summer Institute internship page.
Questions?
If you have questions about the volunteer program, open an issue in our Summer Institute 2026 repository.
This is the first year SDSC is running a dedicated student volunteer program for the Summer Institutes. If you enjoy helping people learn about HPC, this is a great opportunity to get involved.