Job Description
Position Overview This undergraduate research assistant opportunity will provide hands-on training in sampling, processing, and analyzing soil and plant samples to quantify ecosystem changes during grassland restoration. Conducting a field-based research project to complement ongoing research projects is encouraged. Job Description 60% - Processing plant and soil samples in the laboratory to include sieving soil, sorting and weighing plant biomass, cleaning seeds, and entering data. 30% - Field work that includes collecting seeds, measuring light availability, sampling soil, harvesting biomass, and recording plant composition data. 10% - Other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Path of study in Soil, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related area. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel), as evidenced by application materials. Be making satisfactory progress (minimum GPA of 3.2) in an ecology/environment-related degree program. Preferred Qualifications Soil, field, and laboratory experience, 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. (3) Must be able to perform strenuous work in hot conditions. (4) Must have a valid driver’s license. Additional Candidate Instructions A complete application consists of an online application, a cover letter, and a resume. Only complete applications will be considered. Application deadline is Wednesday, 5/13/2026, by 11:59PM Central Standard Time. Contact Information to Applicants Aoesta Rudick ku-sasc@ku.edu aoesta.k@ku.edu Advertised Salary Range $15.00 per hour Anticipated Start Date Monday June 1, 2026 Apply to Job Posting Information Posting ID: 32802BR Department: KS Biological Survey Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus Reg/Temp: Temporary Employee Class: S-Student