Fall 2023 Undergraduate Research Assistant Position with Environmental Frontiers Campus
Fall 2023 Undergraduate Research Assistant Position with Environmental Frontiers Campus
The Environmental Frontiers Initiative invites applications for Fall Quarter EFCampus Research Assistants. EFCampus brings 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. We are looking for 1-2 students to join our Laboratory Building Energy Analysis and Design project. The role is paid $15.80/hour and will be part-time (about 10 hours/week).
About EFCampus
EFCampus is the campus-based component of the Environmental Frontiers initiative, enabling students to use campus data, operational systems, and community behaviors as a case study for understanding a path to a more sustainable future, on campus and beyond. EFCampus provides undergraduate students opportunities to advance research on applied projects that explore campus sustainability, with an eye toward transferable knowledge to inform strategies in neighborhoods and whole urban areas. These data-driven projects will analyze campus data, engaging students in using rigorous quantitative methods to understand campus energy use and opportunities to increase efficiency. Working closely with faculty and staff from Facilities Services, students will think critically about what the data suggests are the most effective interventions to create energy-savings and reduce unnecessary consumption.
Environmental Frontiers is a partnership between the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation, the Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU), the Center for Robust Decision-making on Climate and Energy Policy (RDCEP), and the Offices of Facilities Services and Campus Planning + Sustainability at the University of Chicago.
Primary Responsibilities
Students will work on a team, with mentorship provided by a graduate student lead and regular meetings with project stakeholders. 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. Student work will align with the goals outlined in the University’s broader Sustainability Plan, including a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across the University operations by 2030.
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be current undergraduate students at the University of Chicago. 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
- Communication and presentation skills
- Professionalism, reliability, and ability to work as part of a team
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled
For questions, please contact Dr. Emily Padston at padston@uchicago.edu
Please submit the following in a single PDF document saved as “LastName_FirstName_EFCampus_Fall2023.pdf”
- Current resume/CV, including names and contact info for two academic references
- An unofficial copy of your transcript
- A statement of interest that addresses the following in 300 words or less - What interests you about this opportunity? Please describe what you hope to gain from this experience and how it relates to your future goals.