University of Maryland College Park Seeks two summer research interns

Posted on October 14, 2021

Position Title

Summer Research Interns

Position Summary
The University of Maryland, College Park is seeking applicants for two summer research
internships.

The University of Maryland, College Park is seeking applicants for two summer research internships.

Internship 1)

Summer Opportunities in Agricultural Research and the Environment (SOARE) at The University of Maryland” (UMD) is a ten-week summer research experience focusing on agricultural, food, and natural resources highlighting sustainable agricultural, animal husbandry practices, food production, agricultural economics, and climate change using the Chesapeake
Bay Region as a case study. The participants will gain scientific skills through interdisciplinary independent research projects that investigate grand challenges related to our Five Strategic Initiative Areas: 1) the Chesapeake Bay health; 2) food systems and global food and nutritional security; 3) sustainable agricultural production systems; 4) optimizing urban environments
through design, green technology, and community engagement; and 5) improving human, animal, and environmental health.

Stipend: $4,500.

Internship 2)

SOARE: Strategic Work in Applied Geosciences (SWAG) at the University of Maryland is geared towards undergraduates with academic and research interests in geology, (i.e. mineralogy, geomorphology, petrology), earth science (i.e. geology plus chemistry, physics computations, environmental science, geography, hydrology/marine science, atmospheric science), natural resources management and soil science. This ten-week summer research experience aims to provide participants a distinct hands-on research experience to advance their knowledge in applied geoscience fields and provide future scientists with the hands-on
skills to advance their knowledge through didactic exchanges, engagement in mentoring and networking opportunities. The SOARE:SWAG program will provide activities such as: professional and career workshops, weekly brown bag workshops, as well as graduate socials.

We are seeking applicants interested in the following academic and research areas:

Environmental Science (air, land, and water) – Fellows interested in the environmental science topic are inclusive of environmental education, law, policy, studies, justice, sustainability and technology. Environmental science also intersects with the core physical and life sciences as it is interdisciplinary such as biology, chemistry, geology, atmospheric, and anthropology. This research cluster may include an environmental ethics or environmental sociology project.
Geology/Soil Science (land) – Fellows interested in the geology or soil science topic is inclusive of projects relating to geology, geography, land management, urban forests, urban ecosystems, and soil morphology. This research cluster may include projects related to soil-plant interactions as they relate to soil health. The fellows will be introduced to aspects of the soil pedon and have access to the 5-time national soil judging championship faculty (3 occurred in the last 7 years) housed in the Environmental Science and Technology Department.
Hydrological Science (water) – Fellows interested in the hydrology research cluster will explore topics combining geoscience and water. The subject matter will include hydrology, hydrogeochemistry, water chemistry, and water transport processes/mechanisms. The applied geoscience component will expand on these topics and relate through plant-soil-water systems.

SOARE and SOARE:

SWAG internships provide traditionally under-represented undergraduate students with an on-campus research experience to learn about research in agricultural, natural resources, geoscience, environmental sciences, nutritional science, and food sciences at the University of Maryland. Participants will develop research skills, and learn about doctoral training while establishing relationships with faculty and graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).

SOARE/SOARE: SWAG Goals

Increase the knowledge of, and interest in, doctoral-level training in the agricultural, food, nutritional sciences, and geosciences and environmental sciences
Build professional and personal networks to support students interested in joining the academic community
Create a diverse academic environment by increasing the number of traditionally underrepresented students in graduate programs and ultimately the professoriate.

SOARE/SOARE: SWAG Details

These ten-week programs will be held in person (With the exception of the first week) at the University of Maryland, College Park campus from Sunday, May 23- Friday, July 30, 2022.

SOARE and SOARE:

SWAG scholars will participate in an on-campus research program for ten weeks and work with AGNR faculty as part of their research teams. Students are expected to spend about forty hours per week actively engaged with their research team. Participants will participate in weekly seminars to learn about the graduate school experience, and application process. At the end of the ten weeks, students are expected to produce tangible results from experimental research and report their findings in a special research forum. Participants will also become acquainted with the culture of graduate education and learn what is needed and
expected of them as graduate students in their respective disciplines.

2022 SOARE programs will be an in-person program, with a one-week virtual orientation. All participants will report to and live on campus for the program.

Participant Eligibility

Applicants must meet ALL of the following requirements

Be enrolled full-time at an accredited two-year or 4-year institution of higher education
Have junior or senior status by Fall 2022 Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
Major in agricultural, environmental, natural resources, food science, nutritional science, engineering, biological sciences, or related STEM field
Have a career goal that includes graduate-level education
Demonstrate an interest in pursuing graduate study in agricultural, environmental, natural resources, food science, nutritional science, geoscience, or related STEM field
Have a STEM background and have completed one of each: chemistry, biology and calculus course

Application Requirements

Statement of your academic and career goals, research interests, and why you desire to participate in SROP. Applicants are encouraged to identify one or more AGNR faculty members with whom they are interested in working and explain why they would like to work with them. Learn more about AGNR graduate programs and faculty here.
Current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
Answer all supplemental questions
Letters of recommendation from two faculty members uploaded directly to BTAA website.
Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate work including grades for fall 2021. If you have attended multiple colleges or universities, submit copies of transcripts from each institution

How to Apply

Students may apply to only one program—either SOARE or SOARE:SWAG depending on your major and research interests. To complete and submit an online application, go to: https://go.umd.edu/SOAREatUMD

Deadline: SOARE applications are due no later than Friday, February 11, 2022.

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