Soil Fertility & Nutrient Research Intern

Penn State University; University Park (IL); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management Laboratory at Penn State University seeks an enthusiastic undergraduate intern to support field and lab research on nutrient cycling, fertilizer and manure management, and water quality dynamics in agroecosystems.

You will gain hands-on experience from field sampling to laboratory analysis, with mentorship in data analysis, scientific writing, and presenting findings at regional events.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled Penn State undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Resource Management (ERM), Agroecology, Plant Science, Animal Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Preferred: prior coursework in soil science, agronomy, or environmental sciences.
• Willingness and ability to work in varied outdoor weather conditions during field sampling campaigns.
• Strong attention to detail, commitment to laboratory safety protocols, and good record-keeping practices.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team.

Responsibilities

• Field Sampling: Assist in collecting soil samples, plant biomass samples, and runoff/water samples across experiments at the Rock Springs research farm.
• Laboratory Analysis: Process and analyze soil, plant, and water samples using various laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
• Data Management & Research Growth: Assist with data organization, learn statistical analysis (e.g., R, SAS), and explore opportunities to co-author extension articles or present findings at regional events.

Skills

Field sampling

Lab analysis

Data management

R

SAS

Scientific writing

Communication

Education

Undergraduate student in Environmental Resource Management / Agroecology / Plant Science

Soil science / agronomy coursework (preferred)

Tools

R

SAS

Job description

The Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management Laboratory at Penn State University seeks an enthusiastic undergraduate intern to support field and lab research on nutrient cycling, fertilizer and manure management, and water quality dynamics in agroecosystems.

You will gain hands-on experience from field sampling to laboratory analysis, with mentorship in data analysis, scientific writing, and presenting findings at regional events.