Field Ecology Research Internships available in the long term climate change study
B4Warmed project overview:
Northern Minnesota is a focal point of potential climate warming impacts because it sits at the transition between boreal and temperate forest biomes. B4WARMED (Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger) is a unique manipulative experiment that warms plants and soil in the field to examine tree seedling and germinant response to warming with respect to physiology, phenology, growth, and survival. For more information: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforestecology.cfans.umn.edu%2Fresearch%2Fclimate-change&data=02%7C01%7Cmadeline.hennessey%40uconn.edu%7C803909d387244fa49f7308d7aaed9a03%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637165809785318865&sdata=xEq0HEZtyuceSI81URIdjA6hnLB05o16YaKklXrB7nQ%3D&reserved=0
Position overview:
We seek independent and mature undergraduate or newly graduated students with a background or interest in biology, ecology, environmental science, forestry, or a related field for paid field research internships ($11/hr). Openings start in the middle/end of April and go until the end of November. Start dates for the openings are flexible and up for negotiation. On average, an internship lasts about 4 months. Typical workdays are eight hours Monday through Friday, however, some tasks require early morning, evening, or weekend work. A valid driver’s license is required. Personal vehicles helpful but not required. Successful hires will work through a variety of tasks with primary focus on tree biometric, ecophysiological and ecological measurements and data collections in the field with occasional site maintenance, laboratory work, and treatment implementation. The intern will work in an individual and team setting. Consequently, a maturity to work autonomously often with long hours is required.
Responsibilities:
• Work independently to collect biotic and abiotic data in field and laboratory settings in accordance with established protocols
• Measure plant growth, physiology, and phenology
• Measure soil characteristics and processes
• Data entry using Excel and Google drive
• Implement rainfall reduction treatment
• Routine maintenance of field sites, field instruments, and research equipment, including a Licor 6400xt.
• Lab work includes data entry, biomass assessments, and leaf area analysis
• Aiding principal investigators and graduate students as needed.
Desired qualifications: 1) Eagerness to work hard in an outdoor setting. 2) Capacity to collect data following established protocols. 3) Familiarity with plant and tree species of northern Minnesota. 4) Willingness to work well and play well with others and live in a remote area with others and/or alone. 5) Curiosity and passion for the natural world. 6) Flexibility to adapt to a frequently changing schedule. 7) Demonstrated ability to work under changing weather conditions with large swarms of insects.
Research sites:
Fieldwork will be split between research sites at the Cloquet Forestry Center in Cloquet, MN (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcfc.cfans.umn.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmadeline.hennessey%40uconn.edu%7C803909d387244fa49f7308d7aaed9a03%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637165809785318865&sdata=OMmPXudZgeqeKVINn0hdv1LNoodTfeiv1AxyLP5H%2BGg%3D&reserved=0) and the Hubachek Wilderness Research Center (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcfc.cfans.umn.edu%2Ffacilities%2Fhubachek&data=02%7C01%7Cmadeline.hennessey%40uconn.edu%7C803909d387244fa49f7308d7aaed9a03%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637165809785328872&sdata=DK2w3Fx%2FFf9H4eHDwQv55pnZMMozrJwkz9v08szp%2Bb4%3D&reserved=0) near Ely, MN. Both research sites are in beautiful forested settings and provide access to the natural areas of northern Minnesota including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. An individual’s home base will be at either of these locations, though travel between sites will be required depending on project needs. University vehicles are used for such travel. On-site housing with furnishing and a kitchen will be available for a small fee.
Application:
Applications will be reviewed as they come and potential candidates will be contacted for a phone interview. Please send a cover letter (including available working dates), one-page resume, and contact information for two references electronically to:
Artur Stefanski
stefa066@umn.edu
Department of Forest Resources
University of Minnesota
St Paul, MN 55108 USA