Environmental Engineering: Biomass Gasification - POSITIONS FILLED

Environmental Sustainability Internship

Environmental Engineering: Biomass Gasification Internship

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

This position will require an individual who will aide research and development of biomass gasification. Also, the intern will be responsible for research on biomass conversion, biochar and activated carbon. A basic understanding of chemical reactions and biomass gasification technology are expected. The intern will help optimize these systems to improve efficiency.

Potential Research Areas Include:

Research to lower capital costs:

• Replacing the cryogenic process currently used to separate oxygen from air when oxygen is used in the gasifier with new membrane technology.

• Developing new membrane technologies to better separate and purify hydrogen from the gas stream produced (like coal gasification).

• Intensifying the process (combining steps into fewer operations).

• Research to lower biomass feedstock costs such as, the improved agricultural practices and breeding efforts should result in low and stable feedstock costs.

Data analysis will be key, as the intern will perform life-cycle and cost analysis to analyze advantages and disadvantages of different batter systems. The intern must be a team player; team meetings will occur weekly. A final presentation and report is expected at the end of the internship to illustrate the results. The internship will require a commitment of 8 hours a week and will last 10-14 weeks. The internships will begin January 10th, 2017. The compensation will be $14/hour. This is a paid internship that will provide you with invaluable experiences and professional development opportunities.

As an intern, you will report directly to:

-Dr. Gerardo Diaz, who will act as your on-site supervisor for this internship.

-Nicholas Conte, Sustainability Coordinator, who will assist in developing, planning, and implementing the program and will act as a sustainability peer-to-peer throughout the duration of this internship.

Primary Duties:

• Optimize systems to improve efficiency and design

• Formulate a final presentation and report highlighting results

Secondary Duties:

• Form a cooperative, working relationship with students and staff

• Meet regularly with both supervisors to provide updates and discuss program development and implementation

• Give a presentation to high school students detailing your internship

• Weekly team meetings to facilitate team work, critical thinking and communications

MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

• Strong interest in sustainability and communications

• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to handle multiple tasks and job functions

• Maintain excellent attendance

• Be prompt and reliable

• Act responsibly in a professional office work environment

• Demonstrate excellent teamwork skills and demeanor

• Proficient with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

• Strong writing and editing skills

• Detail oriented

• Demonstrate initiative and creativity

• Ability to work proactively and independently

• Ability to work and coordinate goals in a team

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher

• Engineering background highly preferred

• Students have been enrolled for at least one semester at the time of application

‪How to Apply

• ‪Send your resume and a cover letter describing your skills and experience and why they’re a fit for the position to: nconte@ucmerced.edu with your first and last name in the subject of the email with “Biomass Gasification Internship”

• ‪Applications will be screened for qualifications and experience, and all required application elements. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be offered an interview.

• ‪Deadline to apply: Applications will be accepted until position is filled