Student Research Assistant

University of Kansas•Lawrence, KS

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kansas (KU) invites applications for a Student Research Assistant. The position is available for undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in critical minerals, sedimentology, stratigraphy, or mineralogy. This position will support the work of the Critical Mineral Potential in Coal Mining Waste project, led by Dr. Diana Ortega-Ariza and Dr. Blair Schneider. This position will be responsible for helping collect samples in the field, sample processing for in-house pXRF analysis, and data analysis.

Requirements

Pursuing a degree in geology, geography, environmental studies, or a related field.
Experience working independently without close supervision, as evidenced by application materials.
Clear communication skills, as evidenced by application materials.
Proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, as evidenced by application materials.
Coursework in or relevant experience related to mineralogy, as evidenced by application materials.
During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours.
For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester.
Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students.

Responsibilities

Assist the project leads with fieldwork sampling.
Lay out cores for photos and core descriptions.
Prepare samples for in-house XRF analyses by weighing, grinding, and creating pucks.
Collect pXRF data of samples.
Compile results and create tables and figures.