The Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) at the University of Maine facilitates faculty-mentored research, scholarship, and creative activities for undergraduate students across all academic disciplines since its inception in 2008. Additionally, the CUGR office plans and organizes the UMaine Student Symposium for Research and Creative Activity (UMSS).
Available Research and Creative Projects Board
Faculty Member: Thomas Molloy Faculty Department: Cooperative Extension
Location: Remote
Description: We are seeking motivated students to join our summer field research team based out of Orono, Maine. This position will work primarily on the University of Maine Rogers Farm with some lab or office work focusing on research projects with small grains, dry beans as well as PFAS. The position is full time, 40 hours per week during business hours. Interest in field research, sustainable agriculture, environmental science, organic management, and soil health is a plus.
This is a: Paid
How to apply: Contact Tom Molloy thomas.molloy@maine.edu
Faculty Member: Krystal Merry Faculty Department: School of Teaching and Learning- Special Education
Location: Remote
Description: This project will review, in-depth, the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II amendment on digital accessibility and the impact on state and local education agencies. The project will require research, writing, text-based data organization, resource collection, and development of action steps specific to digital accessibility. The student will have the oppurtunity to co-author a newsletter or journal article on the topic depending on analysis of literature, resources, and findings.
This is a: CUGR Fellowship opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal)
How to apply: Submit a resume and writing sample to krystle.merry@maine.edu.
Cindy Isenhour: Michael Wilczek Faculty Department: Anthropology/CCI
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: Job Description: Dr. Cindy Isenhour (Anthropology/Climate Change Institute) is seeking three Research Assistants to contribute to a project funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations’ (NOAA) Marine Debris Reduction Challenge Grant. The project is focused on assessing reusable packaging systems as a means to reduce plastic pollution and waste, enhance community development, save businesses money, and contribute to local climate action plans. The project is designed to collect the data necessary to inform and assess reusable take-out container pilot projects in three coastal Maine communities —Bath, Bar Harbor, and Portland. Key Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include working with an interdisciplinary team to assist with research design; leading community engagement efforts; data collection via online surveys and in-person interviews; assisting with data analysis and reporting. Time & Duration: Feb 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026. Average 2-3 hours/week during the semester, 5-6 hours/week during the summer 2025, with some more intensive weeks for fieldwork. Compensation: $16.15/hour Required Qualifications: Candidates should be highly organized with a clear track record of academic achievement, leadership, and community engagement; have excellent written and oral communication skills; possess evidence of education focused on and engagement related to sustainability; be familiar with basic social science methodologies and community-engaged research. Desired qualifications: Due to the duration of this project (Feb 2025 – Apr 2026) strong preference will be given to students who will not graduate prior to May 2026 and are committed to working on the project for its full duration. Additionally, some of this work will be on-site in one of three coastal communities during the spring and summer of 2025. As such, preference will be given to candidates who are from or are able travel to Bath, Bar Harbor, or South Portland, Maine.
This is a: Paid
How to apply: Interested students should send a resume and cover letter explaining their interest in the position and confirming availability to work on the project for its duration to Dr. Cindy Isenhour (cynthia.isenhour@maine.edu) by Jan 2, 2025.
Faculty Member: Michael Wilczek Faculty Department: Northeastern University, The Roux Institute UMaine Faculty Partner: Faculty Department:
Location: Remote
Description: This student will work on interface design and develop 3D models for activities in Augmented Reality (AR)/ Virtual Reality (VR) related to STEM fields, specifically Biology. The goal of this project is to create an immersive learning environment that teaches students gene expression, sequencing, or other molecular techniques and concepts. The candidate should possess strong personal motivation, exhibit initiative and creativity, display strong written and communication skills, and have effective problem-solving capabilities. The student should be well-versed in biological concepts and have a creative lens. The student does not need to be efficient in 3D model development programs like Blender or Unity, but the willingness and motivation to learn these programs are required.
This is a: CUGR Fellowship opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal)
How to apply: Email Michael Wilczek at m.wilczek@northeastern.edu with resume/ CV attached to the email
Faculty Member: Anne Knowles Faculty Department: History
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: I need one or two creative minds to help me (a) analyze Holocaust data and/or (b) visualize the data in maps or other graphics for a new, radical Atlas of the Holocaust. Background in the Holocaust preferred but not required.
This is a: Paid
How to apply: Send a 1-2 paragraph statement of interest and relevant background, along with their current CV, to my email anne.knowles@maine.edu
Faculty Member: Nicholas May Faculty Department: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: Seeking assistance from UMaine engineering students with a background in 3D modeling (SolidWorks) and printing for voice research. This particular research project will examine the effect of inferior and superior vocal fold surface angles and vertical thickness on phonation threshold pressures and flows using physical self-oscillating silicone vocal fold models. Investigation of pathological cases and other outcome measures (e.g., acoustics and kinematics) may also be investigated in future related research. Pay cannot currently be offered (although this may change if grant funding can be secured); however, authorship on conference presentations and research papers may be offered depending on the level of student involvement.
This is a: CUGR Fellowship opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal); Unpaid
How to apply: Contact Dr. May at Nicholas.a.may@maine.edu
Faculty Member: Evan Wujcik Faculty Department: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: Conducting polymeric materials research alongside PhD and post-doctoral researchers. This will include polymeric syntheses, composite formulation, and wearable sensor fabrication and testing. The candidate should be able to commit to 3-9 flexible hours per week.
This is a: CUGR Fellowship opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal); Unpaid
How to apply: Email a resume and short description of interests to Prof. Wujcik at Evan.Wujcik@maine.edu
Faculty Member: Evan Wujcik Faculty Department: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: The MEAN Lab is interested in undergraduate researchers with a minimum of 3-6 flexible hours per week to dedicate to laboratory work alongside PhD and post-doctoral researchers.
This is a: CUGR Fellowship opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR fellowship proposal); Unpaid
How to apply: Email Prof. Wujcik directly [Evan.Wujcik@maine.edu] with a current resume and interest statement.
Faculty Member: Juan Romero Faculty Department: Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: Support research activities in the lab and field related to PFAS in livestock and hay spoilage
This is a: Paid Position. The starting hourly rate of $16.00 per hour, which can go as high as $20 per hour as students gain experience with our projects.
How to apply: Email juan.romero@maine.edu.
Faculty Member: Vikas Dhiman Faculty Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: We need students to program, maintain, upgrade and fix robots so we can try new algorithms on them. We have a lot of new algorithms that we are developing. The specific tasks include maintaining specific robots:
1. Programming and maintaining Drone with a multi-spectral spectral camera: We have a drone with a multi-spectral camera attached to it. You will be trained to become an expert at flying that drone and fixing it if it falls and breaks a component or two. Also, you would create a replica of the drone so that we have a backup drone.
2. Programming and maintaining 4WD rover: We have a small rover that can navigate autonomously. You will make navigation more robust so that the robot can traverse anywhere in Barrows hall with just audio commands.
This is a: CUGR Fellowship Opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal); Unpaid
How to apply: Send vikas.dhiman@maine.edu an email with why they are interested in this position, and their CV.
Faculty Member: Kamal Chawla Faculty Department: Research Methodology, College of Education and Human Development
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: In the current study, we compare the findings from a textbook analysis in which we analyze worked examples and practice problems within high school algebra textbooks across the United States (US). This descriptive study compares students’ learning opportunities each text offers along three elements: contextual features, single/multi-step problems/examples, and perceived cognitive demands. We will use Chi-squared analyses to compare the differences. The comparative study will help us in providing distinguishing features of the presentation of these mathematics curricula and can inform future curriculum development and empirical human subjects research in Mathematics Education within the United States.
This is a: CUGR Fellowship Opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal); Unpaid
How to apply: Contact Dr. Kamal Chawla at kamal.chawla@maine.edu
Faculty Member: Kamal Chawla Faculty Department: Research Methodology, College of Education and Human Development
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: Besides selection bias, observational research is particularly prone to missing values in covariates. Straightforward approaches such as extracting all observations with missing values may introduce more bias in estimates of treatment effects. In the current study, we will understand the type of missing data in the datasets and how to impute the values using machine learning.
This is a: CUGR Fellowship Opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal); Unpaid
How to apply: Contact Dr. Kamal Chawla at kamal.chawla@maine.edu
Faculty Member: Morgan Talty Faculty Department: English
Location: Remote
Description: The project is the foundation of a Virtual Creative Writing Hub that helps readers, writers, and the community come together to celebrate literature and writing.
Marketing and Content Assistant Structure: Work Hours: Part-time, 12-15 hours per week. Supervision: Reports to the Marketing and Content Manager. Training: Training on content creation, social media tools, and basic research methods.
Duties:
Marketing Responsibilities: Create and schedule social media posts to promote events and services. Monitor social media engagement and respond to comments. Draft content for newsletters, blogs, and promotional emails.
Content Responsibilities: Conduct research on literary topics and industry trends. Assist in writing, editing, and proofreading articles and educational materials. Help curate and create content for blogs, newsletters, and social media.
Learning Opportunities: Develop skills in content creation and digital marketing. Gain experience in research and audience engagement. Improve communication and organizational abilities.
This is a: Paid; Work-Study; CUGR Fellowship Opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal); Unpaid
How to apply: Contact Morgan Talty at morgan.talty@maine.edu
Faculty Member: Qing Jin Faculty Department: School of Food and Agriculture
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: Successful students will work on either 1) developing economic viable and environmentally friendly processing technologies to produce value-added bioproducts; 2) developing sustainable food packaging materials.
This is a: Paid; Work-Study; CUGR Fellowship Opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal); Unpaid
How to apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Qing Jin (qing.jin@maine.edu) for detailed information. Please include your resume or CV or a brief self-introduction.
Faculty Member: Daniel Puhlman Faculty Department: Child and Family Studies
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: I am looking for students who are interested in studying families to get involved with the Parenting Relationships Research Lab. I have several projects going forward that include coding, participant recruitment, and data analysis. If you are interested in learning about research on families and parents this is the place for you! The key projects in the lab are focused on teh intersection of technology and parenting experiences. Current projects are related to Artificial Intelligence and Video games. Students can also engage take CHF 496 Field Experience and earn up to 6 credits for participating in the lab!
This is a: CUGR Fellowship opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR fellowship proposal); Unpaid
How to apply: Please send an email to Dr. Dan at Daniel.puhlman@maine.edu for more information.
Faculty Member: Dr. Richard Corey Faculty Department: Office of VEMI
Location: UMaine Campus
Description: ASAP, a student-operated media research and production house at the University of Maine, is looking for innovative student employees with an interest in visual media. We are hiring students to create media for an online video series based on student life, research and general events on the UMaine campus. Creativity will be a hallmark of these positions and we seek self-motivated applicants capable of quickly learning new skills and working in an ever-changing environment. Employees will be responsible for content creation including but not limited to: Video Production and Editing Photography Graphic Design Journalism Writing for Video Web Design Interview Skills Experience in these areas is desirable, but not necessary. Schedules are flexible, but will require a time commitment of at least 7 hours per week.
This is a: Paid
How to apply: Send a email with your resume attached to grant.beals@maine.edu
Faculty Member: Greg Nelson Faculty Department: Computing and Information Science
Location: Remote
Description: Our lab mission at the You Empowering Sustainable Systems (YESS) lab is to empower you to design and build better tools and communities that you find meaningful, in an environment that helps us all grow and become who we want to be. Ongoing projects include 1) designing and building better tools for AI, learning and doing computing, student agency and voice, professional skills, and sustainability, and 2) understanding the effects of generative AI tools on people, learning, careers, and professional identity. Here are some more details on projects going on in the lab: 1) Building and designing better and more learnable tools and interfaces for generative AI that center human needs and values 2) Building and designing tools and processes for learners to have more agency and voice to improve their education and learning communities 3) Building tools and learning communities that center and embrace neurodiversity and disabled people 4) Improving learning of professional skills, such as reflection, continuous improvement, and meta-cognition, including tools and learning activities 5) Building better tools for learning programming and AI 6) Understanding the effects of generative AI tools on people, learning, careers, and professional identity 7) Sustainable computing for justice 8) What else would you like to design, make, and/or understand that you would find meaningful and could have a significant positive impact?
This is a: Paid, CUGR Fellowship opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal), Unpaid
How to apply: Visit this link: https://forms.gle/HBjw5VhBahmFuZNM8
Faculty Member: Michael Wilczek Faculty Department: Northeastern University, The Roux Institute UMaine Faculty Partner: Caitlin Howell Faculty Department: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Location: Remote
Description: The project’s primary goal is to learn how to structure and analyze large datasets, specifically viral genomes isolated from patients, to determine disease outcomes. The student will plot the data, perform statistical measures, and determine associations between disease outcome and exposure. The student will use the programming language R and learn other bioinformatic analyses, like alignment and entropy analysis. The candidate should possess strong personal motivation, exhibit initiative and creativity, display strong written and communication skills, and practical problem-solving capabilities. Being proficient in a coding language (R, MATLAB, Python, C++, etc.) is not a requirement, but the willingness and motivation to learn the coding language is required.
This is a: CUGR Fellowship opportunity (opportunity to turn experience into a CUGR Fellowship proposal)
How to apply: Email Michael Wilczek at m.wilczek@northeastern.edu with resume/ CV attached to the email
If you are interested in posting an opportunity here on our website please email cugr@maine.edu for more information!
AI Tools Disclaimer: All students are required to be transparent about their use of AI tools in the drafting of material for Fellowships or the Symposium. Students are reminded that they are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of any and all content submitted for these opportunities. While AI tools are powerful and can be helpful, they can and often do return incorrect information (known as “hallucinations”) when asked to generate text.