Dr. Katie Lewis is a Professor of Soil Chemistry and Fertility at Texas A&M University (Soils and Crop Sciences Department) with a joint appointment at Texas Tech University (Plant and Soil Sciences Department). Dr. Joseph Burke is an Assistant Professor of Cropping Systems Agronomy and the State Produced Water Specialist at Texas A&M University (Soils and Crop Science Department). Both Dr. Lewis and Dr. Burke’s labs are located at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in Lubbock (located north of the airport; 1102 East Drew St.) and are looking for field- and lab-based undergraduate workers to start now and work through the summer.

Laboratory-based applicants would gain experience in analytical chemistry, under the direct supervision of a laboratory manager. The Lewis & Burke Labs process approximately 12,000-15,000 soil, plant, or water samples annually, collecting data on NH4+/NO3-, total nitrogen, soil organic carbon, microbially-associated carbon fractions, pH/electrical conductivity, soil texture, soil enzyme activity, etc. Students would gain experience running and monitoring laboratory instrumentation including FIA-lab flow injection analyzers, mass spectrometers, Elementar carbon and nitrogen analyzers, centrifuges, autoclaves, etc. The experience gained from working in the laboratory would range from general chemistry and reagent/chemical preparation to more advanced analytical protocols, instrumentation, or data analysis.

Field research applicants would gain experience in data collection from managed agricultural production systems to native rangelands or pasture systems. The Lewis and Burke Labs have long-term field sites located across the Southern High Plains including experimental research sites in Lamesa, Morton, Halfway, Amarillo, Stratford, Texline, Lubbock, Kermit, El Paso, and Vernon. Field research and data collection encompasses a wide range of activities and equipment: deep core soil sampling, plant biomass collections, using unmanned aerial systems equipped with multispectral sensors, using mobile FTIR greenhouse gas analyzers, and collecting soil moisture data with a field-calibrated neutron probe. We will provide or facilitate any necessary training and/or certification needed (FAA Drone Piloting License, Radioactive Materials Transport, HAZMAT, etc.).

Undergraduate student workers would have the opportunity (if interested) to concurrently work on specific undergraduate research projects in the fields of soil chemistry, soil fertility, soil water dynamics, greenhouse gas mitigation, etc. Opportunities will exist for undergraduate student workers to travel to and attend various international scientific conferences (Soil and Water Conservation Society in Costa Mesa, CA-August; the 2025 CANVAS International Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, UT-November). These are excellent opportunities to investigate graduate student opportunities in the future.

Undergraduate student research assistants will be paid $13.00-$15.00/hour for up to 39 hours/week. Applicants will need reliable transportation to the AgriLife Research Center, however, we will provide state-issued vehicles for all job-related travel and field research. If you are interested in applying, please fill out the document through the link below. Whether you are interested in gaining specific lab or field experience, wanting to prepare yourself for a future career in graduate school, or would like to simply have a part-time position during the summer, we will do our best to accommodate. For more information, browse the Lewis & Burke Lab website: www.txsoillab.com