Projects

Bio 153 Phage Discovery Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Fall 2026

Undergraduate TAs for Phage Discovery will learn teaching techniques and increase their understanding of Phage Discovery Laboratory course material by assisting with lab sections.
6 sp. | 34 appl.
Time commitment
1-4 h/wk (+1)
1-4 h/wk5-7 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Microbiology (+1)
BiologyMicrobiology

IRB 6605 ENGAGE Initiative: Evaluation of Engagement Mapping Pilot

The successful candidate will serve as a Student Research Assistant supporting an interdisciplinary research team focused on improving access to quality mental healthcare through community-engaged…
2 sp. | 28 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk (+1)
8-10 h/wk11-14 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Public Health & Health Sciences (+1)
Health Policy & ManagementPublic Health & Health Sciences

Planting for pollinators: seed source impacts on plants and insects

The Figueroa lab is looking for a student to assist with projects that explore climate change impacts on flowering plants and pollinator communities. Pollinator habitat restoration is vital for…
1 sp. | 10 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk (+1)
5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Ecology and Environmental Sustainability (+2)
Ecology and Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental ConservationNatural Resources Conservation

KIN 395C: Movement Mentor Positions in Community Engagement Team

About the Lab The Moove and Snooze Lab is a developmental research laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst that focuses on movement and sleep behaviors…
6 sp. | 15 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Public Health & Health Sciences (+3)
EducationKinesiologyPsychologyPublic Health & Health Sciences

Does forest leaf litter or landscape dominate decomposition rate?

From agriculture to forests or lakes, the microorganisms responsible for decomposing dead leaf and other organic matter have favorite foods. Decomposers love nutrient-rich food low in lignin, a…
1 sp. | 10 appl.
Time commitment
1-4 h/wk (+1)
1-4 h/wk5-7 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Plant and Soil Science (+2)
Earth SystemsEcology and Environmental SustainabilityPlant and Soil Science

Medical Imaging Probe Mount Design for an Articulating Support Arm

This project offers opportunities for credit-based undergraduate research, independent study, or volunteer research. Students from Mechanical Engineering or related areas are encouraged to apply. This…
2 sp. | 12 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Drought-tolerant summer cover crop impact on soil health and fertility

Hotter and drier summers increase the potential value of adding drought- and heat-tolerant summer cover crops (e.g., sunn hemp, teff, millet) to a New England vegetable crop rotation under…
1 sp. | 9 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Plant and Soil Science (+2)
Environmental SciencePlant and Soil ScienceSustainable Food & Farming

Laboratory Education Resource Assistant

Support a cross-departmental network of UMass science laboratory instructors by attending and documenting meetings, creating concise takeaways, and organizing shared teaching resources in Canvas.
1 sp. | 48 appl.
Time commitment
1-4 h/wk (+1)
1-4 h/wk5-7 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Chemistry (+4)
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyBiologyChemistryEducationNeuroscience

Documenting Yiddish culture & Jewish radicalism in Miami & New York

Student assistant(s) will support the creation of a directory of field recordings (1985-1993) of Jewish immigrant elders who created vital communities around Yiddish culture and Jewish radicalism in…
2 sp. | 5 appl.
Time commitment
1-4 h/wk (+1)
1-4 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Anthropology (+4)
AnthropologyCommunicationEducationHistorySociology

Amherst Hydrology from urban planning to restored golf course

The Tan Brook is a very small stream the runs through the center of Amherst, through the middle of UMass, and out to the Connecticut River. Have you ever seen it? Not likely, or you might not know it…
2 sp. | 9 appl.
Time commitment
1-4 h/wk (+2)
1-4 h/wk5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Science (Interdepartmental) (+6)
Earth SystemsEcology and Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental ScienceGeologyNatural Resources ConservationPlant and Soil ScienceScience (Interdepartmental)

Counterfactual Reparations: Black Prize Winners in the Civil War

This project studies African American sailors who received prize money for the capture of Confederate vessels during the Civil War, using prize awards as a natural experiment in the effects of cash…
5 sp. | 16 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Public Policy (+4)
Afro-American StudiesEconomicsHistoryPublic PolicySociology

General Genetics Lab (BIO384; previously BIO284) Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (FA26)

We seek one undergraduate teaching assistant (UTA) to assist with the Wednesday (1:25-5:25PM) lab section of General Genetics Lab (BIO384) in fall 2026. UTAs are assigned to support a single…
1 sp. | 0 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk (+1)
5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (+1)
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyBiology

Animal Movement Ecology: Environmental Data Science & Web Design

The translational movement ecology research group studies social-ecological systems through the lens of animal movement, working across rangeland ecology, pastoralism, ungulate conservation, and human…
2 sp. | 25 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Computer Science (+3)
CommunicationComputer ScienceEcology and Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental Conservation

Using zebrafish to understand the developmental origins of disease

The Timme-Laragy lab uses zebrafish and cell culture to understand how embryonic exposure to pollutants affects embryonic development and later-life health outcomes. We have ongoing projects examining…
3 sp. | 60 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk (+1)
5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Environmental Health Sciences (+1)
Environmental Health SciencesPublic Health & Health Sciences

Atomistic Simulations for Heterogeneous Catalysis (CHE 577)

Most undergrads don't get hands-on research experience until grad school, if ever. This course changes that. It's a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE): a real, credit-bearing class…
10 sp. | 21 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Computer Science (+10)
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyBiologyBiomedical EngineeringChemical EngineeringChemistryComputer EngineeringComputer ScienceElectrical & Computer EngineeringEnvironmental ScienceMechanical & Industrial EngineeringPhysics

Reimagining Justice Lab

The Reimagining Justice Lab is looking for research assistants for Fall 2026. This is a great opportunity to engage with a lively group of fellow undergraduates, explore what social scientific…
30 sp. | 62 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk (+3)
5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk11-14 h/wk15+ h/wk

Forested Wetland Studies: Atlantic White Cedars, Peat Geology and Roots

Massachusetts has invested in restoring and protecting its wetlands, most recently by creating a cranberry bog program prioritize restoration in these places where the hydrology and geology are…
2 sp. | 12 appl.
Time commitment
1-4 h/wk (+2)
1-4 h/wk5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Environmental Science (+6)
Earth SystemsEcology and Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental ScienceGeologyNatural Resources ConservationPlant and Soil ScienceScience (Interdepartmental)

Carbon Storage by Trees on Campus

Trees in the built environment provide many ecosystem services and community benefits, including reducing air pollution and storing carbon. UMass has thousands of trees on campus, and trees sequester…
2 sp. | 14 appl.
Time commitment
1-4 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Natural Resources Conservation (+2)
Arboriculture & Community Forest ManagementEnvironmental ConservationNatural Resources Conservation

Affect and Social Cognition Lab: Medical Decision Making

Our research team seeks outstanding, curious, passionate, responsible, energetic, collaborative, and highly motivated students with exceptional integrity to assist us with numerous research projects…
3 sp. | 51 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Psychology (+1)
PsychologyPublic Health & Health Sciences

Chromosome Research: Yeast Genetics and Imaging Data Analysis

This project investigates the molecular and physical mechanisms of meiotic homolog pairing in budding yeast. We integrate yeast genetics and live-cell imaging approaches to understand how chromosomes…
1 sp. | 15 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk (+2)
8-10 h/wk11-14 h/wk15+ h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Biology

Research support for satellite hydrology and machine learning

We are global satellite hydrologists: we use many terabytes of satellite data to first observe and then model the quantity and quality of the ater every river on earth. We also work with low level…
2 sp. | 20 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk (+1)
8-10 h/wk11-14 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Civil Engineering (+2)
Civil EngineeringComputer ScienceEarth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences

Mississippi Floods and Incarceration

This project studies how the great Mississippi River floods of 1922 and 1927 affected incarceration in the states bordering the river. The floods displaced hundreds of thousands of people, disrupted…
2 sp. | 30 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Criminology (+6)
Computer ScienceCriminologyData ScienceEconomicsHistoryLegal StudiesSociology

Understanding the biology of the parasitic plant, dodder

Dodder ( Cuscuta spp.) are parasitic plants that do not photosynthesize and derive all their nutrition from the vascular system of host plants. More than 200 dodder species exist around the world, and…
1 sp. | 33 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Genetics (+2)
Evolutionary BiologyGeneticsPlant Biology

Photochemistry of Coffee

The Photochemistry of Coffee is a really broad umbrella project. The goal is to understand all of the chemistry of the components of coffee that are used in the development of black and white film…
2 sp. | 15 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk (+1)
8-10 h/wk11-14 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Chemistry

Microbe–Flow Interactions using Lab-on-a-chip

Microorganisms rarely live in still environments. In soils, groundwater, plant roots, filters, medical devices, and host tissues, microbes grow, attach, move, and interact under continuous or…
2 sp. | 31 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (+9)
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyBiologyBiomedical EngineeringChemical EngineeringCivil EngineeringEcology and Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental ScienceMechanical & Industrial EngineeringMicrobiologyPhysics

Fall 2026 Undergraduate TA for Genetics 311 Lecture

I am seeking 2-3 undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) to assist with my Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:25-2:15 Genetics Lecture. In this role, UTAs will gain teaching experience and increase their…
3 sp. | 5 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (+1)
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyBiology

Research Reading Group - Adoption & Foster Care Focus

This reading group provides a broad introduction to research conducted in the fields of psychology, human development, and social work through a specific focus on foster care and adoption studies…
2 sp. | 6 appl.
Time commitment
1-4 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Psychology

Mechanical and Simulation Design for Handheld Force Control System

This project offers opportunities for credit-based undergraduate research, independent study, or volunteer research. Students from Mechanical Engineering related areas are encouraged to apply. This…
2 sp. | 7 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Sustainable grass sports fields: establishment + maintenance (Fall 2026)

This project studies sustainable turfgrass management for sports fields. The objective is to help field managers keep athletes safe while optimizing inputs of water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
2 sp. | 11 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk (+2)
8-10 h/wk11-14 h/wk15+ h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences (+8)
AgricultureCivil EngineeringEarth, Geographic, and Climate SciencesEnvironmental ScienceHorticultural ScienceLandscape ContractingSustainable Building and Construction ManagementSustainable HorticultureTurfgrass Science & Management

Qualitative Study of Community-Academic Shared Leadership

The successful candidate will serve as a Undergraduate Research Assistant as part of an interdisciplinary research team. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) developed an…
2 sp. | 29 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Health Policy & Management (+1)
Health Policy & ManagementPublic Health & Health Sciences

Understanding how plant proteins work together during cell division

Cell division is essential for the growth and development of all life, including plants. During plant development, proteins must communicate with one another to ensure that cells divide at the correct…
1 sp. | 52 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Plant Biology (+1)
BiologyPlant Biology

A bio-friendly green approach to enhancing enzyme performance

In this ongoing project, students will explore the use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) to enhance the conversion of polysaccharides into sugars. The long-term goal is efficient room-temperature…
1 sp. | 34 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk (+1)
5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Biology (+3)
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyBiologyChemical EngineeringChemistry

Research about how sea slugs process smells

This project investigates the organization of a sea slug brain using modern molecular and computational tools, focusing on the sense of smell (olfaction). The goal is to understand how the rhinophore…
2 sp. | 42 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk (+1)
8-10 h/wk11-14 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Neuroscience

Help create a nudibranch brain connectome

This project is to build virtual 3D models of neurons from thousands of electron micrographs using specialized software. This will help us construct a complete neural wiring diagram, "a connectome" for the brain of a sea slug.
12 sp. | 53 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Neuroscience

Exploring the Chemistry of Plant Defense and Signaling

Our lab investigates the biosynthesis and regulation of specialized metabolites, with a particular focus on terpene biosynthetic pathways in plants, especially the model legume Medicago truncatula. By…
3 sp. | 44 appl.
Time commitment
5-7 h/wk (+1)
5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Chemistry (+3)
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyChemistryMicrobiologyPlant Biology

Insect Diversity Lab Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Biology 447, Insect Diversity Lab. Assist with preparing and teaching Wednesday and Thursday afternoon labs. In September and early October these are field trips…
2 sp. | 6 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Environmental Science (+3)
BiologyEcology and Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental ScienceNatural Resources Conservation

Undergraduate Research Assistant: Brain Health & Physical Activity Intervention (SITLess4Brain Lab)

Join our mission to fight sedentary lifestyles and boost brain health! The SITLess4Brain Lab (led by Dr. Dominika Pindus) investigates how breaking up long sitting periods with physical activity…
4 sp. | 46 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Biology (+6)
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyBiologyData ScienceKinesiologyNeurosciencePsychologyPublic Health & Health Sciences

Research opportunities in computational design

Seeking motivated students interested in engineering design, scientific computing, and machine learning to develop the next generation of computational approaches for design, and contribute to ongoing…
3 sp. | 25 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Computer Science (+3)
Biomedical EngineeringCivil EngineeringComputer ScienceMechanical & Industrial Engineering