Position Overview
The Geohydrology Section of the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kansas (KU) invites applications for TWO KGS Applied Geohydrology Summer Research Assistantship positions for the summer of 2020. The positions are available for upper-level undergraduates, recent graduates, or graduate students with an interest in the hydrogeology and biogeochemistry of intermittent streams. Established in 1997, positions in the KGS summer internship program have been held by students from diverse institutions across the US and abroad. Many past participants have co-authored articles or conference presentations based on the summer work, and students would be encouraged to continue work on projects as part of an undergraduate or graduate thesis following the conclusion of the internship if interested.
START DATE: Week of May 26, 2020 (flexible based on student schedule)
SALARY: Salary is $15.00 per hour at 40 hours per week, estimated
$7,200 for each full-time 12-week assistantship
POSITION OVERVIEW: This assistantship is a full-time 12-week summer position during which the individual will work with KGS and KU on a field-based study of the spatial variability and subsurface controls of groundwater recharge and nutrient mobilization in intermittent streams.
We expect to hire two student interns who will work together. Likely one student will have a biogeochemical focus and the other a hydrogeology/geophysics focus, but both students will gain experience in all aspects of the project.
PROJECT SYNOPSIS: The overarching goal of this project is to understand the influence of intermittent and ephemeral streams on water quantity and quality in Kansas. Students will work with KGS scientists and KU professors to quantify the quantity and variability of groundwater recharge, identify the physical controls on recharge in dry streams, and quantify the solute load from dry streams to receiving ecosystems. Participants will gain experience with numerous field methods including synoptic surveys of physical and biogeochemical parameters, detailed geophysical surveys, and installation of long-term monitoring equipment at study sites across Kansas.
For further information about the Kansas Geological Survey visit our
Job Description
20% – Collecting field measurements of hydrogeological and biogeochemical properties (infiltration capacity, soil cores, stream stage, etc.).
20% – Participating in geophysical surveys using electrical resistivity tomography.
20% – Installation of soil and water monitoring sensors.
15% – Laboratory analysis of water and sediment samples for soil texture and biogeochemical properties.
15% – Analysis of hydrogeological, geophysical, and biogeochemical data.
10% – Preparing results for publication or presentation.
Required Qualifications
Relevant coursework in hydrogeology, hydrology, biogeochemistry, and/or geophysics.
Interest in water science as evidenced by coursework and application materials.
Clear communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
POSITION REQUIREMENT:
Ability and willingness to participate in moderate physical activity in mid-summer temperatures in Kansas.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with any of the duties described above.
Coding and data analysis using programmatic approaches (any of R, Python, MATLAB, etc.).
Experience with GIS.
Contact Information to Applicants
For further technical information contact any of Erin Seybold at erinseybold@ku.edu, Sam Zipper at samzipper@ku.edu, Chi Zhang at chizhang@ku.edu For other information, contact Annette Delaney at adelaney@ku.edu.
Additional Candidate Instruction
Apply online at https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femployment.ku.edu%2Fstaff%2F16460BR&data=02%7C01%7Cmartina%40evergreen.edu%7C74e977a5d78a46758b3f08d7ab53925a%7C22adcff7c06f49a68f2050711c40ddaa%7C0%7C0%7C637166247760086070&sdata=eQyMItVJ9vBk3ToPK0%2B%2BqgO6EmLRC84pCXg%2FDdU7tZU%3D&reserved=0. Upload the following information:
Cover letter (max 2 pages) including how you meet the required and preferred qualifications and why you are excited about the position.
Full CV.
Contact information for 3 references (email address and phone number).
Academic transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable).
Application review begins February 28, 2020, and will continue as needed until a pool of qualified applicants is collected. To ensure consideration, please apply by the initial review date.