Opportunity Description
The Environmental Frontiers Initiative invites applications for EFCampus Research Assistants beginning Summer Quarter 2023. EFCampus is designed to bring together a variety of campus stakeholders – students, faculty, and staff – to collaboratively explore issues of campus sustainability. It is a unique research opportunity for students interested in environmental issues and broader climate change goals. Research assistant positions will be full-time roles for 10 weeks during the Summer. The role is paid $15/hour. RA positions may have the opportunity to extend into the 2023-2024 academic year, which will be determined upon completion of summer work. This will be a hybrid internship, with an expectation of interns working 2-3 days per week in the office and the option to work remotely the remaining days.
About Environmental Frontiers and EFCampus
Primary Responsibilities
EFCampus student research assistant positions are full-time for 10-weeks of Summer Quarter 2023, with potential to extend into the 2023-2024 academic year on a part-time basis. Undergraduate RA’s will work in teams on structured projects identified by the Office of Facilities Services, faculty, and staff, with mentorship provided by a graduate student RA, as well as additional guidance from faculty. Student work will align with the goals outlined in the University’s broader Sustainability Plan, including 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across the University operations by 2030. Read more about previous undergraduate work from Summer 2020.
Student teams will meet regularly with the EF Graduate Student mentor, who will ensure that communication across units (campus Facilities Services, Mansueto Institute, and faculty leads) keeps all partners abreast of student work and any issues arising with campus data collection and dissemination. Undergraduate RA tasks will include: quantitative analysis; best practices research; gathering stakeholder input; identifying optimal sustainability interventions; documenting project progress; and presenting key findings to EFCampus faculty and staff.
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be a current undergraduate student in the University of Chicago in Summer 2023 (students who graduate in June 2023 are not eligible). Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated ability in/knowledge of some or all of the following:
- Environmental issues/challenges, including energy systems
- Data visualization and management
- Community outreach and surveying
- Coding, programming, and/or statistics experience a plus
- Communication and presentation skills
- Professionalism, reliability, and ability to work as part of at team