Location: The student intern will work in the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, MD under the supervision of Harry Schomberg and Alondra Thompson.
Job Overview: The student intern will assist with tasks to progress research on soil water and nutrient availability in conventional and organic cropping systems. The intern will have opportunities to expand their understanding of computer coding, engineering, and soil science. The student intern should be able to complete tasks independently in an organized and thorough manner. The person in this position will be contributing to advancing understanding of effects of water on cropping systems in a changing climate and world.
Position is a paid internship unless applicant is eligible for and wishes to receive college credit instead.
Responsibilities and Duties:
-Test and organize soil water and other types of sensors.
-Assist in organizing and testing data loggers.
-Assist in installation of soil water sensors and network (late spring).
-Inventory, organize and process soybean whole-plant and leaf samples.
-Assist in development of new and existing data logging systems.
-Provide constructive feedback on field processes and procedures.
Qualifications:
-Pursuing a 4-year degree in the natural sciences, computer science, or engineering.
-Personal characteristics:
-Organized and detail-oriented.
-Curious and teachable.
-Reliable and diligent.
-Skills:
-Adept at critical-thinking and problem-solving.
-Can successfully work independently and with a team.
-Physical abilities:
-Can work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
-Able to lift 50 lbs.
-Must have a valid driver’s license
To Apply:
Please send your resume, unofficial transcript(s), and availability to harry.schomberg@usda.gov.
Looking for a student to work a 10 to 20 hours a week during the semester and then full time in the summer.
