Undergraduate Research Assistant - Student Hourly

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Lawrence Campus is seeking an Undergraduate Research Assistant (Student Hourly) to support geochemistry research in the Department of Geology. The role focuses on sample prep, analyses, and data preparation for abstracts and manuscripts.

Responsibilities include subsampling rock specimens, mounting zircon grains, performing LA-ICP-MS analyses, and assisting with data synthesis and authorship contributions under supervision.

Qualifications

• Must have undergraduate status (Junior or higher).
• Completion of GEOL 591 (Paleoclimatology) or equivalent coursework.
• Work experience in a laboratory in Earth Sciences evidenced by materials submitted.

Responsibilities

• Subsample rock specimens for geochemical analysis and prepare samples.
• Conduct LA-ICP-MS analyses of zircon grains under supervision.
• Assist in data synthesis and contribute to abstracts/manuscripts as assigned.

Skills

Laboratory work

Data organization

Education

GEOL 591 (Paleoclimatology) completed

Undergraduate student (Junior status or higher)

Tools

LA-ICP-MS operation

Geology lab equipment

Job description

Undergraduate Research Assistant - Student Hourly

Position Overview

The Undergraduate Research Assistant will assist the Senior Scientist by processing rock samples, running analyses, and helping to prepare the data for the scientific abstracts and manuscripts.

Job Description

50% – Sample Preparation

• Subsample rock specimens for geochemical analysis as assigned.
• Process samples in KU Department of Geology facilities to separate zircon grains under supervision of lab manager.
• Picking, mounting and imaging zircon grains for U/Pb analyses.

40% – Sample Analyses

• Conduct Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-IPC-MS) analyses of mounted zircon grains at the Isotope Geochemistry Laboratories under supervision of lab manager.
• Compile isotope geochemical data in Kansas Geological Survey project Excel spreadsheets as assigned.

10% – Data Synthesis

• Assist supervisor with synthesis of isotopic data and contribute to authorship of scientific abstracts and manuscripts as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Must have Junior status or higher at the Undergraduate level.
• Completed GEOL 591 (Paleoclimatology).
• Work experience in a laboratory in the Earth Sciences, as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior research or work experience with laboratory equipment used for the preparation and analysis of geological data, as evidenced by application materials.

Position Requirements

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

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

(2) 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

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter addressing qualifications for the position
• Resume

Application deadline is Friday, 9/25/2026, by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.

• Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus