Student Geological Research Assistant

Inside Higher Ed; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 17,047 - 24,280; Part time

Job summary

A higher education organization is seeking a Student Geological Research Assistant in Lawrence, Kansas. The role involves assisting with rock preparation, inventorying geological materials, and working under KGS Scientists. Candidates should have relevant coursework and skills in software applications. The position offers a pay rate of $15.00 per hour and requires physical tasks such as lifting and handling geological samples.

Qualifications

• Experience with word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Coursework in geology or related field preferred.
• Prior use of a tile saw and good eye-hand coordination.

Responsibilities

• Assist with rock preparation and sampling.
• Retrieve, process, inventory, and archive geological materials.

Skills

Experience with word processing software

Experience with spreadsheet software

Good communication skills

Good organizational skills

Good interpersonal skills

Education

Coursework in geology or related field

Tools

Tile saw

Wet saw

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Student Geological Research Assistant role at Inside Higher Ed. The Student Geological Research Assistant (position located on the Lawrence campus) works at the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) with KGS Scientists and KU Faculty to collect and process samples for geochemical analyses. The successful candidate will also work with the KGS Core Librarian to inventory, clean, organize, photograph, cut, and analyze samples for current and ongoing research efforts.

Responsibilities

• 70% - Assist with rock preparation and sampling, including weighing, sawing, drilling, slabbing, polishing, chemical preparation, and photographing of samples.
• 30% - Retrieve, process, inventory, and archive geological materials, which may include retrieval and re-stocking of already-archived materials. This involves moving geological samples, sorting, cleaning, possibly re-boxing, inventorying, and shelving. Transport samples by vehicle between core storage facilities. Retrieve requested items.

Qualifications

• Experience with word processing and spreadsheet software as evidenced by application material.
• Coursework in geology or related field as evidenced by application material (Preferred).
• Prior use of a tile saw and/or wet saws for cutting rock samples; good eye-hand coordination to weigh small samples; ability to work independently; good communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills as evidenced by application material and references.

Position Requirements

• Possess a current valid driver’s license.
• Perform physical tasks of the job duties, with or without reasonable accommodation, including standing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling.
• Work in environments with dust, dirt and mildew associated with stored geological samples.
• Frequently lift and move up to 30 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds with accommodation; work in temperatures affected by outdoor Kansas weather.
• Handle potentially hazardous chemicals (PPE provided).
• Work in heights for forklift rock core/sample retrieval duties.
• Work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours weekly when classes are not in session; 8am–5pm, Monday through Friday.
• Minimum of 7 hours per week.

Employment Conditions

• Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.

Application and Contact

Application deadline is 11/02/2025 by 11:59PM Central Standard Time.

Contact: Annette Delaney ([e-mail]).

Additional Instructions

• This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.
• Complete the student profile and upload the following: Resume; Cover letter is recommended but not required; Provide 2 work references with relationship to the applicant.

Advertised Salary Range: $15.00 per hour

Anticipated Start Date: Monday, November 10, 2025