Student Research Technician

80% - Investigate and sample physical chemical and biological factors related to water quality in Kansas Waterbodies via on-lake buoys shoreline water and sediment sampling.

10% - Develop figures and conduct analyses on water quality data.

10% - Analyze samples for suspended sediment phytoplankton or zooplankton.
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 universitys 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 Room 1082 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence KSTTY.

Work Schedule
25 hrs/week during semester
40 hrs/week during summer

Contact Information to Applicants
Christine Cornish

1. Interest in learning about water quality harmful algal blooms and/or environmental research as evidenced by application materials.
2. Experience in Microsoft Excel and Word as evidenced by application materials.
3. Excellent communication skills time-management skills and strong work ethic as evidenced by application materials.
4. Demonstrated ability to adaptand workwell with a team as evidenced by application materials.

1. Experience with water and/or sediment sampling and equipment as evidenced by application materials.
2. Experience with data visualization as evidenced by application materials.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of limnology water quality or ecology as evidenced by application materials.

Position Overview
The Harris NO COAST research group is seeking undergraduate research technicians to assist with water quality assessment in Kansas lakes. The research technician will use limnology equipment to collect water and sediment samples in-lake sensors to monitor water quality and assist with laboratory analyses of samples. This position may also help with data cleaning aggregating and visualization.

Additional Candidate Instruction
A complete application consists of:

1. A cover letter describing your qualifications and interest for this position along with your future career goals
2. A resume or CV
3. Unofficial transcripts
4. Name and email address of 2 professional references
5. Online application

Only complete applications will be considered.

To ensure consideration apply before the application review starts on Thursday 4/23/2026. A review of applications will continue and is ongoing until a pool of qualified candidates is identified.


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.

(3) Mustbe able to lift 75 lbs. and know how to swim.

(4) This is an on-site position (i.e. Kansas Biological Survey or at project sites in Kansas).