Current Research Positions
Current undergraduate paid and unpaid research positions and general faculty research projects for undergraduate researchers.
Carbon Cpature and Geologic Storage
Duration: ongoing - get in touch: tip.meckel@beg.utexas.edu
The Gulf Coast Carbon Center often engages with undergradutes in geology, EER, and petroleum engineering on topic related to carbon capture and geologic storage (CCS).
Posted by: Tip Meckel
UTIG Undergraduate Research Opportunities Fellowship in "Sediment Microplastics in Austin's Waterways"
Duration: Fall 2023 semester
The UTIG Undergraduate Research Opportunities Fellowship in "Sediment Microplastics in Austin's Waterways" is open to third and fourth year JSG undergraduates for the fall, 2023 semester (September-December). Fellowship recipients will process sediment samples from Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake to extract microplastics (at the sedimentary lab at Pickle Research Campus) as part of a baseline study funded by UTIG and the City of Austin. The project includes optional opportunities for local field work, independent research projects, and publication. Get involved!
Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of $500/month. No experience necessary! To apply, email resume and brief statement of interest to Marcy Davis (marcy@ig.utexas.edu) and Cornel Olariu (cornelo@jsg.utexas.edu). Please include your major, year in school, and contact information in the body of the email.
Posted by: Cornel Olariu
MTMOD Megathrust modeling framework
Various summer projects and undergraduate research opportunities
Posted by: Thorsten Becker
Summer intern/undergrad job Summer 2023 at TACC
The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) is seeking a summer intern to join the HighPerformance Computing group for the Summer 2023. The position is supported by the
Seismic COmputational Platform for Empowering Discovery (SCOPED) project funded by
NSF. The intern will primarily work on polishing and writing documents of the software tools
supported by SCOPED. The tools are written in Python and C++, so basic understanding of
these languages will be helpful. Additionally, experience with docker containers is preferred.
Responsibilities:
• Review and revise existing documents of software tools and containers
• Find and correct any issues in the documentation
• Improve the wording and presentation of the documents
• Work collaboratively with the development team to ensure accuracy and consistency
in the documents
Requirements:
• Must be currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program at UT
• Basic understanding of Python and C/C++ languages
• Familiarity with docker containers is preferred
• Exceptional precision and accuracy when reviewing and editing documents to ensure
they are error-free.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the development team
• Background in Seismology is a plus
Required Materials
• Resume
• Letter of interest
To apply, please send your resume and letter to Ian Wang (iwang@tacc.utexas.edu) via
emails before Apr 15, 2023. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage
individuals from underrepresented groups to apply
Posted by: Thorsten Becker
Sedimentological characterization along the North Slope of Alaska
Duration: ~4 months
The Arctic is melting! How will the earth’s frozen surface and subsurface respond to a warming world? We are looking for a summer student intern (fully paid) to help us characterize the geology of Arctic seabed in northernmost Alaska. The project is funded by Sandia National Labs and provides the student with an opportunity to interact with a potential future employer while enhancing our climate security. The student will be introduced to a diverse array of data types including seismic reflection, core data, and remote sensing observations. This work will provide the broader UT-Austin and Sandia team with a better understanding of Arctic shelf geology and help guide planning efforts for future site surveys and data collection. Results will impact decisions and serve as excellent exposure to problem solving in the field of geosciences.
Posted by: Matthew Malkowski
Geomechanics and Geofluids Research Jobs for Undergrads
Do you want to study the Earth while learning the ins-and-outs of cutting-edge laboratory equipment, from maintenance to experiment design? UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids investigates fluid flow and deformation in Earth materials using lab experiments, field work, and computer modeling.
We seek hard-working and detail-oriented students with a passion for learning. You will assist with ongoing projects: offshoots could lead to your senior thesis.
Tasks will include everything from the routine to the experimentally complex. You will work independently or with staff and researchers on experimental setup, equipment maintenance, laboratory clean up, sample preparation, data analysis, and a host of other tasks.
For more information contact Josh O'Connell.
Learn more about our research projects at UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids.
Posted by: Peter Flemings
Geoscience Undergraduate Research Assistant
Duration: Spring and Fall semesters part time, and Summer full time.
The position entails working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) as part of a research team in support of an oil and gas industry funded project which focuses on the depositional history of the Gulf of Mexico. URAs work with geophysical data, geographic information systems, geosoftware and scientific literature to accomplish GBDS research goals.
The undergraduate research assistant duties include:
1. Editing, geo-referencing and digitizing geologic maps in ArcGIS;
2. Locating and accessing geologic data (well, paleontological, and seismic);
3. Assisting with data management for multiple databases;
4. Creation of LAS files by digitizing well logs data;
5. Assisting with literature searches and reference organization;
6. Working with geologic core and samples;
7. Word processing and creation and editing of spreadsheets;
8. Computer illustration of figures and cross-sections;
9. Printing and binding project reports;
10. Clerical assistance as necessary.
There are opportunities for independent research projects. The advantages of being an undergraduate research assistant include getting exposure to software and coding (Excel, ArcGIS, Neuralog, Landmark, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Python, VBA), building industry connections and gaining academic research experience.
How to apply
Interested students should contact Summer Li.
Posted by: John Snedden
Analyzing seismic data using machine learning techniques
Seismic recordings are used to detect earthquakes and to create images of the Earth’s interior. Seismic data contain rich patterns that can be discovered for extracting detailed information. Newly developed machine learning techniques aid in the discovery process. Deep learning has been used to detect arrivals of seismic signals from earthquakes and volcano eruptions and to extract from subsurface images such features, as faults, channels, salt bodies, etc. In detecting geological features, computational algorithms prove to be as powerful or even more powerful than the human eye, especially in higher dimensions.
In this project, we are adopting the latest ideas from the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve the resolution ability of seismic images. Our objective is to advance the state of the art in discovering seismic data patterns. The approaches include unsupervised learning for analyzing seismic waveforms and compressing data in the transformed domain and supervised learning for teaching the computer how to imitate the work of human interpreters.
We are seeking an enthusiastic student to participate in this project. The student will develop data-analysis skills and contribute to an open-source software project. Some prior familiarity with seismology and machine learning, as well as some prior experience with computer programming using Python are helpful but not required
Posted by: Sergey Fomel
Research Inner-Space Cavern fossils (Paleontology)
Dedicated, enthusiastic undergraduate student(s) sought to help work on fossils from Inner Space Cavern in Williamson County, Texas. Student(s) will help with screen-washing, sorting, identifying, and curating vertebrate fossils from Ice-Age sediments in the cave. Students will learn aspects of the anatomy of the vertebrate skeleton as they contribute to studying patterns of vertebrate diversity through time in the context of climate change. Potential opportunities exist for motivated students to pursue independent supervised research related to the main questions associated with this project. Projects begin in the Fall, 2022 semester. Interested students should contact John Moretti (jamoretti@utexas.edu) and Chris Bell (cjbell@jsg.utexas.edu).
Posted by: Christopher Bell
Research Phillips Cave fossils (Paleontology)
Dedicated, enthusiastic undergraduate student(s) sought to help work on fossils from Phillips Cave in Crockett County, Texas. Student(s) will help with screen-washing, sorting, identifying, and curating vertebrate fossils from Ice-Age sediments in the cave. Students will learn aspects of the anatomy of the vertebrate skeleton as they contribute to broadening our understanding of vertebrate paleobiogeography on the Edwards Plateau. The project is under way and volunteers can be brought on board immediately. Interested students should contact Stacie Skwarcan (sskwarca@utexas.edu) and Chris Bell (cjbell@jsg.utexas.edu).
Posted by: Christopher Bell
Research Triassic vertebrates (Paleontology)
Undergraduates interested in Triassic vertebrates of Texas and the Colorado Plateau!! Get involved with new research including digital segmentation of CT-scanned specimens from Petrified Forest National Park and the University of Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections, preparation of vertebrate fossils collected by the WPA in the early 1900s, and photographic documentation of those materials. Opportunities exist for students to develop independent research related to the main questions associated with this project. Projects begin in the Fall, 2022 semester. Interested students should contact Will Reyes (will_reyes@utexas.edu) and Chris Bell (cjbell@jsg.utexas.edu).
Posted by: Christopher Bell
Science Impact Intern
This internship opportunity is focused on the development of activities and resources that amplify the positive impacts of science in society. Interns may chose to focus on work in a variety of domains, including science writing and communication, education, mentorship, outreach and engagement of the public.
For 2022-23, a special emphasis will be placed upon the continued development of a new Science Writing Program.
Email Adam Papendieck for further info: apapendieck@jsg.utexas.edu
Posted by: Adam Papendieck
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates
This summer program trains and supports undergraduates to undertake environmental science research. Details may be found at https://www.esi.utexas.edu/education/summer-research-experience-for-undergraduates-reu/.
Posted by: Jay Banner
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates
This summer program trains and supports undergraduates to undertake environmental science research. Details may be found at https://www.esi.utexas.edu/education/summer-research-experience-for-undergraduates-reu/.
Posted by: Jay Banner
Stable isotopes as hydroclimatic indicators
I am looking for an undergraduate student researcher to work on the analysis of stable isotopes in natural waters and plant materials. No experience necessary. The student researcher will be trained in extracting water samples on a vacuum system and analysis of stable isotopes using a laser spectrometer. Depending on progress, there may be opportunities to publish this research
Posted by: Timothy Shanahan
Paleoclimate reconstructions in the southern Rocky Mountains
I am looking for one or more undergraduate student researchers to work on paleoclimate reconstructions in the southern Rockies using geochemical indicators in lake sediments. No experience necessary. Depending on progress, there will be opportunities to publish.
Posted by: Timothy Shanahan