Undergraduate Summer Research Internship: Field-Deployable Platforms for Low-Carbon Methanol Production from Stranded Methane

Florida Solar Energy Center:

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), is the state’s premier energy research institution. Created by the Florida Legislature in 1975 to advance research, development and education in solar energy, FSEC’s focus includes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation research, demonstration, and education.FSEC is administered by the University of Central Florida and is located in Cocoa, Florida.

The Opportunity:

FSEC invites applications for an Undergraduate Summer Research Internship focused on low-carbon methanol production from fugitive methane resources. This internship will take place at M2X Energy Inc. (Rockledge, Florida), where the intern will collaborate with both researchers and industry engineers. All research and hands-on activities will occur at this off-campus sponsor facility.

Responsibilities:

This program focuses on supporting activities related to process development, optimizations and designs of portable, modular gas-to-methanol technologies in partnership with M2X Energy Inc., which involves, but is not limited to:

• Development and review of Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).

• Creation and support of CAD drawings for equipment layouts, skid assemblies, and process components.

• Design, assembly, and experimentation with benchtop instruments, including data acquisition and analysis.

• Basic process control support and maintenance of engineering and manufacturing documentation.

• Assembly, modification, and operation of flow reactors and adsorption testing systems (such as breakthrough rigs) to generate data for pressure swing adsorption (PSA) modeling and validation.

• Participation in chemical laboratory experiments and processes, including but not limited to testing adsorbent materials to enhance methane recovery from renewable natural gas streams.

• Preparation of written and oral reports summarizing experimental results, processes, and findings.

Minimum Qualifications:

Enrollment or recent completion in an engineering or science undergraduate program and basic proficiency in one or more of the following: chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or chemistry with scientific lab work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with process diagrams and CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar) and interpreting or drafting Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID).

• Hands-on experience in bench-scale instrumentation development and experimentation.

• Familiar with piping assembly, fittings, and gas cylinder handling.

• Track records with detailed documentation of experimental procedure, SOPs plus good data management skills.

• Familiarity with data processing, analysis and computing tools such as Excel, Origin, MATLAB and Python.

• Interest in manufacturing, process engineering and clean technology processes.

• Hands-on aptitude and comfortable working in a shop, laboratory and/or manufacturing environment.

• Strong communication skills and awareness of other technical staff, external partners, equipment/instrument manufacturers, etc.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

This internship requires on-site participation at M2X Energy’s site located at 270 Barnes Boulevard Rockledge, FL 32955.

Applicant must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer, as sponsorship is not available for this position now or in the future.

For questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Francis Chukwunta (francis.chukwunta@ucf.edu) and/or Dr. Veronica Rigo (veronica.rigo@ucf.edu ).

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?   

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck. 

Are Benefits Important to You?

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state’s benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First.  OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.   

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins. 

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela. 

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.