Description of Undergraduate Research Assistant Position
ODOT Particle Size Distribution Project
From: Ryan Winston, PhD, P.E.
Research Scientist
Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering
The Ohio State University
(919) 675-7274
The following position description is for an undergraduate research assistant housed within the Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering at the Ohio State University. For additional information, please contact Ryan Winston by phone or email.
This undergraduate research assistant position is being supported by a grant from Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The successful applicant will interface with staff from the Office of Hydraulic Engineering at ODOT, building their interpersonal and communication skills. The student will be primarily responsible for data collection for an ODOT project between May and December 2016. If successful, the student may continue to work on the project during 2017. The project is focused on collection of stormwater runoff data using automated samplers. Runoff from roadways across Ohio will be targeted, and roads in Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati will be the focus of the 2016 sampling campaign. The student will be expected to drive to sites approximately once per week to obtain samples. This trip is flexible (i.e., not storm-event driven) and will be coordinated with Ryan. Samples for particle size distribution and total suspended solids will be obtained from the samplers and shipped to a laboratory for analysis. Additionally, samples for gross solids (litter) will be obtained on a once-weekly basis. The student will be responsible for weighing this litter to estimate annual gross solids loading from roadways in Ohio. Depending on the level of interest from the student, the student may also be involved in data analysis, report writing, and subsequent peer-reviewed publications.
The successful applicant will have strong written and verbal skills, interest in being outdoors (read: willingness to get dirty), and ability to work with supervision to complete tasks in a timely fashion. Please send along a resume if interested in applying.
Regards,
Ryan Winston, PhD, P.E.