EcoRAMP Position - [GHG-0007-Kanan-2]
Applications are open until the due date: 9:00 AM PST December 1, 2025 for Winter Quarter
The Ecopreneurial Research for Accelerating Market Pathways (EcoRAMP) program offers an experiential learning opportunity for Stanford undergraduates to work with a research team on an active Sustainability Accelerator project. Throughout the engagement, the student will learn about both the development of sustainable solutions and the approaches for their externalization for real-world impact. At the end of the quarter, the student will deliver a short presentation highlighting their key learnings. This program is funded by Stanford Ecopreneurship and the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator.
Project Tagline: Supercharged rocks, a dual-impact fertilizer and carbon removal solution
Primary Mentor(s): Prof. Matt Kanan, Stanford Chemistry
Co-Mentors: Prof. Kate Maher, ESS Department; Jade Marcus, Ph.D. Candidate, Stanford ChemEng, Ella Roelofs, Ph.D Student, Stanford ESS
Project Overview:
We have invented a thermal method to transform rocks and mining waste into much more reactive alkaline solids (“CDR materials”) that fully carbonate in ambient air in weeks to months or within hours with more concentrated CO2 sources. Our project will advance our technology toward impact at scale by i) supporting key development activities that will enable us to prepare a detailed process design for both the production and deployment of CDR materials, and ii) establishing and strengthening external partnerships needed for commercialization.
The EcoRAMP Student Will Do:
- Assisting with field site monitoring, including regular visits and the collection of observations
- Watering and maintaining lysimeters to ensure consistent experimental conditions
- Collecting and preparing samples from field sites for downstream laboratory analysis (e.g., DIC, TA, ICP) every ~10 days alongside other researchers
- Recording, organizing, and performing basic quality control on field and laboratory data
- Supporting the research team with documentation of field protocols and observational records
- Scoping external opportunities for applications beyond cropland (e.g., pasture land)
- Collecting information on area, uses, and soil characteristics to identify target areas for field trial investment
- Creating visuals and reports to communicate findings to the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator and external stakeholders
The role will involve outdoor fieldwork under variable conditions as well as time in the laboratory preparing and organizing samples.
The EcoRAMP Student Will Learn:
- Practical experience in deployment of materials for CO2 removal, including field-scale experimentation and data collection along with learning about execution of instrumentation for measurement of removal
- Communicating technical findings to different audiences including partners and team members
- Ability to identify technical or market gaps that inform strategic decisions around process design and partnerships
Qualifications/Skills Required:
- Interest in sustainability, soil science, geochemistry, or related environmental research
- Comfort with fieldwork in outdoor conditions (heat, cold, manual and repetitive tasks)
- Experience or coursework in environmental science, earth science, chemistry, or biology
- Familiarity with basic lab techniques (sample preparation, solution handling, cleanliness) is a plus
- Ability to carefully follow established protocols and maintain detailed field/lab notes
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality and integrity
- Ability to work independently under faculty guidance, as well as collaborate with research team members
Time Commitment and Compensation:
- By participating in EcoRAMP, you commit 10 hours per week per quarter. We are looking for anticipated engagement across multiple quarters through Spring 2026.
- The student will receive a $2,000 stipend per quarter. Please note: stipends, prizes, or awards to students who are receiving other forms of financial aid for any purpose are a form of financial assistance and may require adjustment to your scholarship eligibility and /or adjustment to your overall cost of attendance. The Financial Aid Office has the responsibility to determine if these funds can be applied to meet your Student Responsibility and if other adjustments are necessary. Please contact the Financial Aid office before applying to ensure you are fully informed before making any decisions about your experiential learning opportunity.
Eligibility:
- Stanford Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are eligible for this position. Note: co-terms who are in their first 4 years or 12 quarters of attendance and have not conferred their undergraduate degree are considered undergraduate students and are eligible for this position.