Position Overview
The Geohydrology Section of the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kansas (KU) invites applications for multiple KGS Geohydrology Summer Research Assistantship positions for the summer of 2025. The positions are available for upper-level undergraduates, recent graduates, or graduate students with an interest in interdisciplinary water science, including biogeochemistry, ecohydrology, and hydrogeology. Established in 1997, positions in the KGS summer internship program have been held by students from a variety of institutions across the US and abroad. Many past participants have co-authored articles or conference presentations based on the summer work, and students would be encouraged to continue work on projects as part of an undergraduate or graduate thesis following the conclusion of the internship if interested. More information on the internship program is available here: https://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hydro/gipIndex.html
POSITION: KGS Geohydrology Internship Program
STARTING DATE: Week of May 19, 2025 (flexible based on student schedule)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on January 21, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
SALARY: Interns will be paid $15/hr-$18/hr with an anticipated 12-week, full-time (40 hrs/week) work schedule. All work-related expenses will be provided by the KGS, but the KGS does not provide lodging nor expenses of travel to/from Lawrence.
RESTRICTIONS: Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the US (US citizen, F-1, OPT, etc).
About the KGS | Kansas Geological Survey (ku.edu)
In 2025, we anticipate hiring between 2-4 interns. Interns can apply for one of two tracks:
- Ecohydrology Track (led by Sam Zipper): These interns will conduct research on the characterization and analysis of groundwater and surface water resources, and interactions between water resources, ecosystems, and society. Projects on this track will primarily be data science and modeling-focused.
- Biogeochemistry Track (led by Erin Seybold): These interns will conduct research focused on understanding the drivers of groundwater and surface water quality in various settings. This may include collecting and analyzing water quality samples, working with high-frequency water quality sensor networks, and synthesizing and analyzing long-term water quality data. Projects on this track may include both lab work and data science approaches.
Interns in both tracks will work closely with collaborating KGS scientists, staff, and students to complete summer research projects that meet project needs and align with intern career goals and interests. While the interns will specialize in one of these two tracks, they will have opportunities to work together and with other students to gain interdisciplinary experience and exposure to a variety of methods.
Job Description
This assistantship is a 12-week summer position during which interns will work with scientists, staff, and students at KGS while contributing to externally-funded research projects. Projects that may support interns in 2024 include: investigating water quantity and quality in the Kansas River watershed; using machine learning/AI techniques to predict streamflow and groundwater levels; investigating downscaled climate scenarios for Kansas; characterizing historical groundwater quality in Kansas; and investigating the sustainability of groundwater conservation practices.
Intern duties may include:
- 50% – Synthesis and analysis of hydrological, meteorological, geophysical, and/or biogeochemical data.
- 20% – Field data collection including water sampling, streamflow monitoring, sensor deployment, and other relevant activities.
- 20% – Preparing results for publication or presentation.
- 10% – Laboratory analysis of water and sediment samples.
Percentages for each duty will vary depending on the specific project the intern works on.
Required Qualifications
- Enrollment in or completion of an undergraduate and/or graduate degree program in Geology, Geography, Ecology, Civil Engineering, or another relevant discipline.
- Relevant coursework in hydrogeology, hydrology, and/or biogeochemistry as shown in application materials.
- Data analysis and visualization experience, preferably using programmatic approaches (R, Python, MATLAB, etc.) as evidenced in application materials.
- Clear communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with any of the duties described above as evidenced in application materials.
- Experience with GIS and/or remote sensing analysis as shown in application materials.
Contact Information to Applicants
For further technical information contact Sam Zipper at samzipper@ku.edu and Erin Seybold at erinseybold@ku.edu.
For other HR information, contact Annette Delaney at adelaney@ku.edu.
Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- PDF cover letter (max 2 pages) indicating which track you are interested in (ecohydrology or biogeochemistry), how you meet the required and preferred qualifications, and how the internship will help you reach your career goals.
- PDF document (max 1 page) with responses to three short-answer questions:
- (<150 words) What are you really good at professionally, academically, and/or technically? List 3 items with a brief example for each to put things in context.
- (<150 words) What are you not good at or would like to improve academically, professionally, or technically? List 3 items. To help frame your answers, consider what past bosses, supervisors, or teachers might answer when we contact references.
- (<150 words) Is there anything else that we should know about you that you would like to share?
- Full CV/resume.
- Contact information for 3 references (email address and phone number).
- Academic transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable).
Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins Tuesday, January 21, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.
Advertised Salary Range: 15-18/hr commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins: 21-Jan-2025
Anticipated Start Date: 19-May-2025
Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
FTE: 1.0
Reg/Temp: Temporary
FLSA Status: Nonexempt
Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Work Schedule: 12-week, full-time (40 hrs/week) work schedule. M-F 8a-5p.
Work Location Assignment: On-Site
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.
