Undergraduate Research Assistant - Student Hourly

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Center for Public Partnerships & Research seeks an Undergraduate Research Assistant to support the Senior Scientist by preparing rock samples, running analyses, and helping to ready data for abstracts and manuscripts. The role emphasizes sample prep, geochemical analysis, and data synthesis within KU Geology facilities.

The position includes hands-on work with zircon preparation, LA-ICP-MS, and data compilation, with potential authorship on research outputs.

Qualifications

• Must be a junior or higher undergraduate.
• Completed GEOL 591 (Paleoclimatology).
• Completed GEOL 360 (Field Investigation).
• Work experience in a laboratory in the Earth Sciences.

Responsibilities

• Subsample rock specimens for geochemical analysis.
• 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.
• Conduct LA-ICP-MS analyses of mounted zircon grains under supervision of lab manager.
• Compile isotope geochemical data in Kansas Geological Survey project Excel spreadsheets.
• Assist supervisor with synthesis of isotopic data and contribute to authorship of scientific abstracts and manuscripts.

Skills

Undergraduate status

Education

GEOL 591 Paleoclimatology

GEOL 360 Field Investigation

Job description

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).
• Completed GEOL 360 (Field Investigation).
• 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

• 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

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.

Contact Information to Applicants

Annette Delaney

[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

$15.00 per hour

Anticipated Start Date

Monday October 5, 2026