Student Technical Research Assistant

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 19,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS seeks a Technical Research Assistant to support the KGS Core Library in the LOBO division. The role involves hands-on handling, moving, and organizing rock core, plus data entry and basic photography for documentation and research use.

Responsibilities include loading, shelving, inventorying core materials, assisting with sample preparation, and operating carts or forklifts after training.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in at least 6 credit hours during fall and spring at KU.
• Experience with data entry or databases preferred.
• Experience with physical or warehouse work preferred.

Responsibilities

• Move, re-shelve geological materials, including heavy rock cores.
• Sort, clean, re-box, inventory, and organize materials.
• Transport samples between locations and operate carts or forklifts (training provided).
• Enter data and support inventory tracking for wells and rock samples.
• Prepare samples and photograph core materials for documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Physical labor

Teamwork

Data entry

Photography

Heavy lifting

Education

Enrolled as KU student (6+ credits)

Tools

Inventory database

Photography equipment

Forklift operation

Job description

Position Overview

The Technical Research Assistant position, located in Lawrence, Kansas, supports the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) Core Library within the Libraries, Outreach, and Business Operations (LOBO) division. The position works under the supervision of the Drill Core Library Manager, and assists with the organization, movement, and basic processing of geological materials used in scientific research.

This is a hands-on position with a focus on physically moving and organizing rock core, including assisting with the relocation of materials from the KGS North Core Facility to a new core storage warehouse in Lawrence. Work will be completed as part of a small team supporting this effort. Additional responsibilities include data entry, sample preparation, and photography.

The KGS Core Library houses one of the largest publicly accessible collections of geologic drill core in the United States, containing tens of thousands of boxes representing thousands of wells.

The Kansas Geological Survey anticipates hiring 1-2 individuals for this position.

Job Description

50% – Core Handling and Organization Retrieval

• Move, and re-shelve geological materials, including heavy boxes of rock core.
• Sort, clean, re-box, inventory, and organize materials within storage facilities.
• May involve transporting samples between locations and operating equipment such as carts or forklifts (training provided).

30% – Data Entry and Inventory Support Assistance

• Database entry and inventory tracking for wells and rock samples.

15% – Sample Preparation and Photography Assistance

• Basic rock preparation activities including sawing, slabbing, polishing, and photographing core samples for documentation and research use.

5% – Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

1. Enrollment in at least 6 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters at the University of Kansas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed coursework relating to geology, earth sciences, or a similar field as evidenced in application material.
• Experience with physical or warehouse work, or willingness to learn as evidenced in application material
• Experience with data entry or databases as evidenced in application material.
• Experience with tools, equipment, or photography as evidenced in application material.

Position Requirements

1. Valid driver’s license
2. Perform the physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:
   • Lifting and moving up to 30 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally
   • Standing, bending, climbing, and working in storage environments
3. Work in varying environmental conditions, including non-climate-controlled warehouse spaces in the winter and summer heat
4. Work independently and as part of a team
5. Safely perform physical labor in a warehouse and laboratory environment
6. Use ladders, carts, and/or forklifts (training provided)
7. During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Employment Conditions

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

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.

Additional Candidate Instructions

• Resume/ CV
• Cover Letter addressing required qualifications and position requirements

Contact Information to Applicants

For technical questions about the position contact Oliva Buchhorn, [e-mail].

For HR questions about the position, contact Annette Delaney, [e-mail].

Advertised Salary Range$17.00 per hour

Anticipated Start DateMonday September 14, 2026

August 30th, 2026