Student Assistant - Clean Energy (TEMP)

Unleash YOUR Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institute and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role in pushing us forward to become among the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck. We’re seeking qualified, motivated individuals who will help UCF fulfill its mission in unleashing the potential of every individual, enriching the human experience through inclusion, discovery, and innovation; and propelling broad-based prosperity for the many communities we serve.

The Opportunity:

The Student Assistant- Clean Energy is an internship opportunity for undergraduate students interested in clean tech and industrial chemical processes to participate in 3-month research projects designed by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and M2X Energy Inc., a startup company working towards the mission of mitigating global methane emission. The internship experience involves in-lab experimentation using thermal or electrochemical reactors and data analysis and scientific presentation, supervised by academic and industrial mentors. For UCF students, we also support longer-term internships for candidates interested in the Research and Mentoring Program (RAMP) offered by UCF.

Responsibilities:

• Assist researchers with benchscale catalyst testing and evaluation (thermal, electrochemical), including catalyst preparation, reactor loading/unloading, reactor system operation, recording measurements, and product sampling.

• Assist researchers with GC analysis (liquid and gas samples), including sample preparation, equipment operation, and calibration.

• Participate in processing of raw data and interpretation of results.

• Document standard operating procedures for new techniques and experiments, and prepare formal safety risk assessments.

• Provide weekly or biweekly updates on project progress and deliver a final presentation at the end of the internship to the FSEC team and industry partner (M2X).

• Perform all tasks safely and complete all required EH&S training.

Minimum Qualifications:

Current enrollment in an undergraduate program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6) .   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working in a research laboratory/setting.

• Hands-on experience with assembling laboratory-scale equipment (e.g., compression fittings, NPT/NPS fittings, tubing, pressure/temperature instrumentation, etc.).

• Familiarity with Python or other coding languages, particularly in designing user interface, database building, and data plotting for real-time measurement logging.

• Knowledge and interest in catalysis, reaction engineering, clean technology, or electrochemistry.

Are Benefits Important to You?

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state’s benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off. 

Who Are We?

Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

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Department

Florida Solar Energy Center, Special Projects - OPS

Hours of Work

Full time

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Type of Appointment

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hourly Rate

$16.00

Job Posting End Date

Benefits Eligibility

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state’s benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First.  OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.