Undergraduate Student Research Assistant in Waste to Energy
The Bioenergy and Bioprocessing Technology Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Stephanie Lansing in the Department of Environmental Science and Technology is looking to hire a part-time (15-20 hours/week) Undergraduate Research Assistant for waste to energy research. The work involves collecting and analyzing food waste, manure, wastewater, and municipal solid waste. Analyzing samples in the laboratory for organic content, energy production potential, and other parameters. The student would also be responsible for inputting data into Excel spreadsheets, washing laboratory glassware, filtering samples, and keeping the laboratory environment clean. The student must be comfortable working with laboratory equipment, food waste/manure samples, and have a valid US driver’s license, with less than 6 points in moving violations and be comfortable driving an automatic University truck to/from USDA.
Previous lab experience is a plus, but not necessary. The student must show a demonstrated work ethic, attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and stick to a punctual laboratory work schedule. Priority will be given to underclassmen (freshmen, sophomore and beginning juniors) to allow for the possibility of the student working multiple years in the Bioenergy and Bioprocessing Technology Laboratory, but all levels are welcome to apply.
Pay rate will start at $11.75/hour. There is a possibility of pay increases with experienced gains. Opportunities include professional development with mentoring from graduate students, post-docs, and Dr. Lansing. Attendance at monthly laboratory meetings is mandatory, where relevant research topics will be discussed and results from the laboratory experiments presented.
Applications should be emailed to Dr. Stephanie Lansing: slansing@umd.edu by September 3rd at 5pm. The applications should include an updated resume, a cover letter detailing laboratory experience, expected graduation date, additional pertinent experience/details, and a schedule detailing the proposed blocks of time you would be able to work in the lab (15 hours a week; Mon - Fri from 8am - 6pm) during the Fall semester.
