Category: Undergraduate Research

Summer 2022 – Summer Research Opportunities

Great Lakes Plastic Debris and Microplastics Research (2-3 positions)These positions will support new US EPA, Wisconsin Coastal Management, and NOAA funded projects related to plastic trash removal and research in the Great Lakes. One position will be the boat Captain for the Great Lakes first regional trash boat (i.e., pontoon-type boat that picks-up trash). This position requires boating experience but pay will be significantly increased. The other positions will be deck hands and research assistants that will help with plastic trash removal, characterization, and microplastics research.

Door or Manitowoc County Field Research Assistant (4-5 positions)

These positions support US EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) projects associated with Great Lakes beaches and Door or Manitowoc Counties, WI. The beaches have undergone, reengineering to mitigate microbial and chemical pollution and protect public health. You will conduct field research, operate a local lab facility, and be involved with many aspects of the research projects. Additional compensation may be available for this position.

Salary and Benefits:

For all positions a salary of $4,500-5,000 for the summer (boat Captain will be paid higher rate), paid travel, and paid housing is provided to all interns. You will have the opportunity to learn field and lab techniques, operate a state-certified laboratory, network with professionals in the field, co-author posters and publications, and live in a great part of Wisconsin for the summer.

Call or e-mail Dr. Greg Kleinheinz at kleinhei@uwosh.edu or 920-424-1100 if would like additional information on any of these summer experiences. If you are interested in applying for a position, please send a resume and indicate which position you would be interested in to:

Graduate or undergraduate summer hourly position – Great Lakes Research Center – Energy, water, and climate change dataset

Seeking a currently enrolled Michigan Tech graduate or upper-level undergraduate student for a summer hourly position to compile Great Lakes datasets on water use and energy (i.e., solar, wind, heating / cooling, and wave energy). The student will work with an interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff, and students that is collecting energy, water, and climate change related datasets during the summer of 2021. The team will discuss and prioritize future research directions in energy-water-climate
nexus issues. Graduate and upper-level undergraduate students will have primary responsibility for identifying, documenting, and compiling relevant datasets which will be used in future research. Applicants should have good attention to detail, some experience in coding, and willingness to learn good data management practices.

Dr. Lenters is an Associate Research Scientist with the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) at Michigan Technological University, and he has affiliated positions with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Atmospheric Sciences Program. The project team collaborates with numerous other groups on campus, including the Keweenaw Energy Transitions Laboratory, Advanced Power Systems Laboratory, and departments such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Social Sciences. Applicants should therefore bring a strong technical background along with interest in energy systems and/or interdisciplinary work in environmental science.

Required Background:

• Currently enrolled as a graduate or undergraduate student at Michigan Tech

Desired background:

• At least two years of undergraduate education or (preferably) already holding a B.S. in mathematics, physics, engineering, or related field in environmental or data science
• Good programming and analytical skills (e.g., Matlab, R)
• Experience with data management and quality control
• Experience with accessing and using atmospheric and hydrologic datasets, including climate data and model output (e.g., general circulation models).
• Research or educational experience in climate science, hydrology, and/or energy systems (power plants, commercial buildings, residential buildings, or renewable energy)

We seek students that want to join, support, and promote an inclusive workplace. For more information on related research activities in Dr. Lenters’ lab, please see the MTU faculty/staff directory at the GLRC.

To Apply: Submit a resume or C.V. to Dr. Lenters at jdlenter at mtu.edu. The email should discuss the student’s interest and relevant experience for this position. Hourly salary is negotiable and typically varies from $10-16/hour, depending on the student’s level of education and experience. The anticipated summer work period is May 3 – August 20, with up to 25 hours of work available per week, on average.

Applications for 2021 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) are now open. Fellowship recipients will spend the summer working on an individual research project under the guidance of a Michigan Tech faculty mentor.

SURFs are open to all Michigan Tech undergraduates who have at least one semester remaining after the summer term. Awards are $4,000. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Feb. 12.

For more information and access to the application materials and instructions, please visit the SURF webpage.

The Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) community invites undergraduates to apply for the 2020 NSF-funded NHERI Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NHERI REU) Summer Program.

Currently enrolled undergraduate students interested in mitigating the effects of natural hazards are invited to apply online at https://www.designsafe-ci.org/learning-center/reu/. Undergraduates with an interest in civil engineering, environmental engineering, architecture, geology, computer science, computer programming, simulation, and other related fields will greatly benefit from this research opportunity. Students will spend ten weeks working with a faculty mentor and other REU students on a research-based project at one of ten NHERI research facilities around the country. 

An informational flyer is available online at https://www.designsafe-ci.org/media/filer_public/86/b7/86b7bd3f-40c9-43a8-bb8a-bdd7391611b3/reu_flyer_2020.pdf.

Deadline has been extended to March 9, 2020 at 11:59pm.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is currently taking applications for undergraduates to participate in a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site in Advanced Infrastructural Materials located in Lafayette, LA.

They are seeking highly motivated undergraduate students to participate in a life-changing research experience. Students accepted to this competitive program will have the opportunity to spend 10 weeks (May 25-July 31, 2020) in the heart of Cajun Country in Lafayette, Louisiana, working with researchers in interdisciplinary fields related to civil engineering and infrastructure materials.  

Students involved in research in this REU program will participate in a vibrant research community engaged in innovative, multidisciplinary research to address some of the most pressing infrastructural problems. Students will be paired with a faculty mentor and engaged in hands-on research, field trips, and meet and greets with leading researchers in materials science and civil engineering. Students will develop valuable skills conducting literature reviews, scientific integrity, scientific writing, innovation in research, data collection and analysis, and presentation of research findings to diverse audiences.  Students will gain the education, networking opportunities, and mentorship to prepare them for further academic pursuits in graduate school and future careers in science, technology, engineering and math. For ten (10) weeks during summer 2020, REU students will be housed on-campus at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. This campus is located in the heart of Cajun Culture and is within walking distance from downtown shopping, nightlife, and some of the best Cajun restaurants in the country.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is seeking diverse students from universities and colleges nationwide. Students from underrepresented groups, first generation college students, and students without undergraduate research opportunities at their home universities or colleges are highly encouraged to apply. 

Selected students will receive on-campus housing, monetary compensation ($500/week), travel support (up to $400), and research support.

Interested students can apply by filling out an online form. Applications are open now through April 6, 2020.

Application website: 

https://www.nsfreu.org/ ;  students must apply for AIM REU Louisiana Site.

 Any questions about the application process can be directed to the site directors: Dr. VJ Gopu at v.gopu@la.gov

Researchers at Michigan Tech University are seeking young adults to participate in a research study. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of lighting conditions on balance recovery. We seek individuals 18-40 years old who do not currently have any musculoskeletal disorders or injuries, history of traumatic injuries, or have any vestibular or neurological disorders that affect your balance. For this study, individuals will be asked to perform a series of trials that will challenge their balance in three different lighting environments. During these trials you will wear sensors that will measure your movement. Results from this study allows researchers and clinical practitioners ways to improve the avoidance of falls. 

You will be excluded from this study if you:

• Are not between the ages of 18-40 years old
• Are currently diagnosed with a musculoskeletal disorder or injury
• Has been or is diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury
• Has been or is diagnosed with vestibular or neurological disorders that affect balance

If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact Jessica Pitts at jpitts@mtu.edu or Adison Cook at accook@mtu.edu.