Student Worker Summer Science Research SSRP

Application is by Invitation ONLY:

Student Worker - Summer Science Research - SSRP

Purpose/Objective of the Role:

The Summer Scholarship and Research Program (SSRP) is a competitive cohort-based professional development opportunity that places selected students in a ten-week mentored research or scholarly project with an Ohio Wesleyan faculty member. Participants work as full partners alongside their mentors on original research scholarship or creative work in the natural sciences social sciences humanities or arts. The purpose of the role is to give students sustained immersive experience with the methods habits of mind and professional practices of their field preparing them for graduate study and for careers in the public and private sectors. This is not a position that substitutes for staff labor. Students are selected through a competitive application and faculty review process for the specific purpose of their own intellectual and professional growth.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

Participants work approximately 35-40 hours per week for ten weeks from May 11 through July 17 2026 on a defined research or scholarly project developed in collaboration with their faculty mentor. Specific responsibilities vary by discipline and project but include conducting original research scholarship or creative work under faculty mentorship; participating in regular one-on-one and group meetings with the faculty mentor; attending weekly SSRP cohort luncheons and research talks; delivering a five to seven minute research presentation to the cohort once during the program; hosting one cohort luncheon during the program; participating in professional development programming offered through SSRP; living on campus with the SSRP cohort for the duration of the program; and presenting a poster at the Patricia Belt Conrades Summer Scholarship and Research Symposium during the Fall 2026 OWU Connection Conference.

Qualifications/Skills:

Open to current first-year students sophomores and juniors at Ohio Wesleyan with preference given to current sophomores and juniors. Students graduating in May 2026 are not eligible. A student may participate in SSRP only once during their time at OWU. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is strongly preferred. Individual projects carry additional qualifications set by the faculty mentor which may include prior coursework laboratory or field experience language proficiency or other discipline-specific preparation. Selected participants should demonstrate intellectual curiosity the capacity for sustained independent work strong communication skills and readiness to engage in a collaborative scholarly community.

Potential Future Career Benefit:

SSRP participation provides the kind of sustained mentored scholarly experience that distinguishes applicants for graduate and professional programs across disciplines. Students develop transferable skills in research design data analysis scholarly writing oral presentation and collaboration with expert mentors. Many SSRP participants go on to present their work at state regional and national conferences and to co-author publications in peer-reviewed journals. The experience positions students for competitive graduate school admissions medical and health professions programs research-based positions in industry and government and a wide range of public and private sector roles that value evidence-based reasoning and independent scholarly work.

NOTE: Employment sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Application Instructions:

Complete the ADP application by selecting Apply button and answer all questions.

Term: Summer 2026 (part-time position)