Undergraduate Research Assistant in Flood Risk Mapping- GEOSCI
The Pennsylvania State UniversityAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The department of Geosciences is searching for a undergraduate research assistant.
Over the past 30 years, flooding has been the second largest cause of weather-related fatalities in the USA. This can be particularly dangerous in urban centers where there are large concentrations of people and important infrastructure. As climate change alters precipitation patterns, extreme rainfall may become more likely in some locations, including the USA’s Mid-Atlantic region. Baltimore, MD, is regularly impacted by flooding, which damages property, disrupts transit, and affects peoples' livelihoods. The risks posed by flooding are often inequitably distributed and can have greater effect in places which are economically disadvantaged or topographically low-lying.
This research seeks to identify and map high flood risk zones in the city of Baltimore. Our team has created an urban flooding model which simulates Baltimore’s land surface and stormwater infrastructure. When the model is run, we can visualize places where flooding is occurring. The goal of this work is to build a flood risk map of the city, linking places where flooding occurs, who is exposed, and who is vulnerable.
The undergraduate research assistant will contribute to this effort by searching for risk data across the city, using GIS tools to map out risk factors, and integrating flood modeling results. Through this work, the student will gain hands on experience with applied climate risk analysis, natural hazard mapping, and environmental inequity research.
Desired skills and interests
Applicants should demonstrate interest or experience in the following areas.
An interest in climate science, environmental studies, data science, or related fields. The student should be curious and ready to learn more about risk analysis! Prior experience with QGIS or ArcGIS, specifically importing and visualizing spatial datasets. Basic coding experience. The student should be prepared to learn to clean data and configure datasets for import.
How to apply
Interested students should submit the following materials.
- A brief statement, no more than 300 words, answering the question:
How does your previous experience and interests align with the job skills and requirements described above?
- Current CV or resume.
This position is ideal for students who are interested in climate impact and risk analysis approaches that can be applied to real world environmental challenges.
Approx number of hours per week
4 hours per week for 8 weeks
Salary per hour, and max allowance (if any).
$20 per hour up to 35 hours
Start and end date (approximate)
February 9 to April 30
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.