Ecological Society of America

Summer Jobs: Field Research Interns
University of Minnesota

The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (formerly Cedar Creek Natural History Area) of the University of Minnesota has opportunities for students to work as Research Interns in three types of positions; 1) Plant community ecology, 2) Wildlife biology, and 3) Environmental education. Most positions run from June through August, but some interns are needed as early as March and some are needed through December. Your educational institution may be able to approve this internship, with an appropriate independent project, for any field biology requirement of your major. Typical work days are eight hours Monday through Friday, however some projects require weekend and evening work. If you are an undergraduate or a newly graduated student with a background or interest in biology, ecology, environmental science, botany, environmental education, wildlife biology, or related field we encourage you to apply.

Below are brief descriptions of the three types of positions available:

1. Plant community ecology. We have two large scale projects that require most of our intern resources throughout the summer. BioCON is one of the large scale experiments where we explore the ways in which plant communities respond to environmental changes such as increased nitrogen deposition, increased atmospheric CO2, decreased biodiversity, and altered precipitation patterns. The other large scale project is the Big Biodiversity experiment that studies how plant diversity affects the rates, dynamics, and stability of ecological processes at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. There are multiple experiments nested within the Big Biodiversity experiment as well, looking at factors such as irrigation and increased temperatures. Throughout the summer we maintain and sample these experiments.

2. Wildlife biology. The starting date will be mid-April to mid-May. The research will be looking at how harvesting resorted prairies for biofuel affects wildlife. The work will include wildlife surveys encompassing birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Bird survey duties will include identifying birds by sight and sound. Small mammal survey duties include operating Sherman live traps and species identification. Insect survey duties will include methods such as sweep netting and pitfall traps. Additional surveys will require plant identification skills. Duties may go beyond what is listed. The applicant must have a flexible schedule and be willing to work odd hours including weekends and holidays. The position will entail extensive travel throughout the western Minnesota prairie region and requires a valid driver's license.

3. Environmental education. We are looking for an out-going, self-motivated individual to serve as an intern for our growing environmental education and outreach programs, including formal K-12 science education programs and informal environmental programs for general audiences. This is a seasonal full-time position, starting mid-May and running through October, 2009.

To apply for any of the above intern positions please visit our website, http://cedarcreek.umn.edu/interns/. The deadline for application submission is March 9th, 2009.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

PhD Graduate Assistantship
New Mexico State University

Project relates to source-sink dynamics in burrowing owl populations at an ecoregional scale in black-tailed prairie dog colonies with 6 study areas from Chihuahua Mexico to South Dakota.  The Ph.D. student will work with capture-recapture and stable isotope databases related to survivorship, movement patterns and general ecology.  Applicants should have a B.Sc, (M.Sc. preferred). Potential students should have an interest in mathematical modeling, working with large data sets and should have the skills to train and oversee a large crew of technicians.

Applications should include a letter of interest, CV, transcripts, GRE scores, and names and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin July 15th and will continue until a suitable candidate is found.  Send applications to Dr. Martha Desmond, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, Box 30003, MSC 4901, Las Cruces, NM  88003-0003.  Send questions to mdesmond@nmsu.edu.

Conservation and Land Management Intern Program
Chicago Botanic Garden, the Bureau of Land Management,
National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service

This is an amazing opportunity for recent and upcoming science graduates to learn about land management while working with a mentor in the western United States.  We have current openings in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming beginning in June, 2008.  The Conservation and Land Management Intern Program is a partnership between the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service.

Field duties may include:  plant and wildlife monitoring and mapping; endangered species reintroduction; invasive species management; geographic data acquisition and analysis; biological assessments, sensitive species lists and conservation plans; fire ecology; land use planning; archaeology-related activities; recreation areas management; rangeland assessments; seed collection.

Travel and lodging expenses are covered for you to travel to Chicago in late May for a one-week training course held at the Chicago Botanic Garden.  Training includes:  Federal agency orientation; Endangered Species Act and associated programs; plant and animal identification and monitoring; GIS and mapping; and topographical map reading and GPS skills. 

Compensation is $750.00/pay period (every two weeks)

How to Apply:  Applicants must have a visa authorized for employment in the United States of America.  Please send a letter of interest, school transcript(s), resume, and three letters of recommendation to: clminternship@chicagobotanic.org

This opportunity may also be conducted as a research component of a Masters program with Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden.  For application information, visit:  http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu

For more information visit the website:
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/clm

Summer Jobs in Soil Survey

Alaska Soil Survey Program

Homer, Alaska and Fairbanks Alaska

The Alaska soil survey program will be filling up to four Plant Ecologist (Bio-Technician) positions for the summer of 2008. Positions will be located in Homer, Alaska and in Fairbanks Alaska. Length of the assignments will be approximately 18 weeks for the surveys out of Homer (approximately June-October) and 12 weeks (June through August). This is a tremendous experience for qualified individuals to expand their botanical skills, learn soils, landforms, interpretations, mapping techniques, and apply ecological concepts, all while experiencing Alaska up close.

Requirements: Sophomore through Graduate level students who have strong botanical and plant identification skills, coursework and/or vegetation sampling experience, strong outdoor skills, and positive attitudes. Actual job duties and pay scales will be dependent on coursework and experience. The Plant Ecologist (Bio-Technician) will work with the Soil Scientist as a team to identify and describe plant communities, collect data and plant information, and assist in compilation of field data to describe ecological sites. Federal pay grades will range from GS-5 to GS-7 and include a 25 percent cost-of-living adjustment. Pay grade will be based on completed coursework and experience.

Additional Information: Please contact the Project Leader for specific information about the survey, housing situations, and field work. For general information about skills for the position you may also contact Michelle Schuman, Ecologist, 800 W. Evergreen, Palmer, AK 99645 (907) 761-7781 michelle.schuman@ak.usda.gov

College Internship Opportunities in Marine Science
Mote Marine Laboratory
Sarasota, FL

Organization Description
Mote Marine Laboratory, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1955 as a place “where people can learn more about the sea.”  Today Mote, one of the few remaining independent marine research facilities in the United States, serves as a center for research, scientific collaboration, and public education focused on our marine environment. Mote has gained international recognition through the quality and diversity of its research conducted in over 50 countries by its multidisciplinary staff of recognized scientific research leaders.  Unique to Mote is an adjacent public aquarium open daily with over 400,000 worldwide visitors  annually and over 200 displays and educational programs originating from the Laboratory’s research.

Internship Program Mission
The mission of Mote’s College Internship Program is to inspire students with a life long appreciation and commitment to the conservation and sustainability of our oceans through a unique opportunity to explore hands-on the marine world and its inhabitants under the mentorship of recognized scientific research leaders in their respective fields of study. 

Internship Description
Internships are available year-round.  Duration of an internship runs from 8 to 16 weeks, with longer periods of time considered.  Mote offers a wide variety of internships in seven different research centers as well as several support areas.  The internship areas encompass aquaculture; animal care; environmental chemistry; coastal ecology; fisheries; marine mammal, sea turtle, and shark research.  Research interns get hands-on experience in the field and laboratory with specific duties depending on research area but include animal care and surveys, acoustic monitoring, data processing and analysis, field collection, lab testing and maintenance.  Support area interns gain valuable experience working in our animal care, public aquarium, communications, library, and education programs. 

Applicable College Majors
Undergraduate, graduate, post graduate students are encouraged to apply as well as those taking a sabbatical in order to gain field experience. We seek primarily biology, chemistry, zoology, environmental science, ecology, aquaculture, fisheries, animal science, pre-veterinary, education, communications, aquarium management or related majors/minors for our internships. Under-represented groups  in the sciences are encouraged to apply [Black, Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Islander].

Internship Financial Information
Internships are unpaid. However a limited scholarship program is available. Mote provides assistance in locating housing but interns should plan on spending $75-$100 per week for housing, plus food and entertainment. Interns should arrange for their own transportation due to limited public transportation.

Application Deadline & Contact Information
Mote has a rolling application process, but deadlines apply for scholarship submittals.  Summer and scholarship applications should be submitted as soon as possible due to high demand.  Additional information regarding Mote, intern opportunities, and applications is available online at www.mote.org, or by contacting:
Dana O’Mara – College Intern Liaison: danaomara@mote.org. Phone: 941-388-4441, Ext. 462

Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236
“A non-profit organization dedicated to excellence in marine science”