Summer Field Research Opportunity

The University of Montana W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation is hiring full-time research technicians for summer 2021. The University of Montana is located in Missoula, Montana.

Description: These positions will assist a team of researchers and graduate students with fieldwork across the Inland Northwest, specifically on National Forests in Montana and Idaho. These positions will involve field measurements of research plots that are part of a large, long-term study of forest stand dynamics and modelling. Work will include basic tree measurements on varying terrain and in remote forested areas. This work will require the ability to navigate to and from measurement plots on and off forest roads. Multi-day overnight field stays may be required for some plot locations. This is a great opportunity to get research field experience!

Duration: Mid-May through Mid-August. The work schedule is generally four, ten-hour days per week, with flexible scheduling to accommodate travel and work in remote locations. Candidates must be flexible and willing to follow evolving COVID-19 policies and plans. We cannot accommodate pets in the field.

Pay: $13-$14 per hour depending on experience

Required Qualifications: A good attitude towards field work and field safety. Demonstrated knowledge of basic tree measurements and tree species identification. The ability to follow directions and complex protocols is a must. Must be able to navigate remote and sometimes challenging terrain in all possible weather conditions. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to operate 4×4 vehicles in a safe and professional manner. Comfort with outdoor sleeping accommodations in varying weather conditions. Comfort with remote work where cell service and internet accommodations may be spotty to non-existent. Maintaining organization and attention to detail while collecting field data is a must. Candidates must be comfortable working alone and in a team of technicians with different backgrounds. Knowledge of basic first aid is also important.

Desired Qualifications: Western tree identification skills and quality field data collection experience. Experience with forest measurement tools such as logger’s tape, clinometer, and laser rangefinders. Ability to use Map and Compass or GPS to navigate through the woods. Previous outdoor work experience will be taken into great consideration. Wilderness first aid/EMT or other applicable certifications.

Apply: We are committed to creating an environment that is safe, respectful, and inclusive to all. Please submit a single PDF file containing:

1.      Cover letter detailing your qualifications and why you would like to join our team, and which
should include your availability and planned mid-summer absences.
2.      Resume and 3 References (phone number and email for each)
3.      Applicant’s email address and phone number

to christian.mercado@umontana.edu and/or christian.mercado@umconnect.umt.edu with “Job Application” in the subject.

Application deadline: March 12th. We will review applications as received and aim to make hiring decisions by March 31st.

Subject: Summer 2021 Data Internships @ Cary Institute

Hi all, I’m pleased to share that Cary Institute is recruiting data interns for Summer 2021.

The data interns will work remotely with scientists on selected data and statistical projects, and the Director of Information Services on research data management projects. They/she/he will gain experience working with scientific data, using data management tools and statistical software, performing statistical analyses and working with structured metadata.

Please note: Internships are unpaid, although in some special cases (e.g., for grant-funded projects) compensation may be available.  We will work with academic institutions to provide credit for internships.

Full description can be found at
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: Internships

Paid Conservation Research Internship, Summer 2021 – Amphibian Ecology and Conservation
Location: Memphis Zoo (Memphis, TN)

General Description:
Memphis Zoo’s Department of Conservation & Research is offering an internship in conservation biology. The position is available for upper-level undergraduate students and 1-2 year post-graduates. This internship offers a unique research experience in a zoo setting working with scientists conducting cutting edge and frontline projects to save wildlife, and will provide valuable training in laboratory techniques, experimental design, and data analysis for many professional careers in general biology, conservation, ecology, and veterinary sciences.

Specific Project & Internship Description:
Amidst the sixth mass extinction, amphibians are one of the most threatened groups of animals. In light of these threats, captive colonies have been established for insurance and future reintroductions. However, a critical factor that determines the success of these programs is whether captive-released individuals can adapt to natural environments. With this in mind, we will be working on research projects that investigate the reproductive biology, development, morphology, and survivorship of captive-bred amphibians at various life stages in an array of different treatments both in the lab and in the field.

Specifically, the Amphibian Ecology and Conservation Intern will work with Dr. Sinlan Poo (Research Scientist, Department of Conservation and Research). The intern will learn a variety of field and laboratory techniques, including visual encounter surveys, hormone induced spermiation/ovulation, sperm assessment, cryopreservation, captive breeding, in vitro fertilization, amphibian development and morphology assessments, and field monitoring of tadpoles and juveniles. Additionally, the intern will have the opportunity to communicate their research to the public through educational outreaches at the Zoo.

Preferred Qualifications for this Position:
Preference will be given to applicants working towards degrees in biology, zoology, animal science, reproductive physiology, or related fields. Applicants with an interest in pursuing attending graduate school or careers in reproductive sciences and conservation are strongly preferred. Other requirements include the ability to work within a diverse and inclusive team of researchers, follow instruction, and exhibit excellent oral and written skills. The intern may need to travel with their research mentor to additional work sites outside the zoo and may work unconventional hours and on weekends.

Ideal Candidate for Position:
Who should apply? Interns with the following will benefit most from this opportunity:
– A strong interest in applied conservation biology
– A particular interest in amphibian ecology
– Willingness to work long hours in the lab or field
– Ability to engage respectfully with a diverse team of collaborators
– Ability to work independently
– A general curiosity and interest in asking novel questions
– Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and positive attitude

Additional research experience is a plus, including:
– Experience with working field research in the biological sciences
– Experience with handing amphibians or other delicate animals
– Experience with laboratory techniques
– Experience with data analysis and scientific writing
– A B.S. or at least three years of college level course work in biology or a related field.

Support Provided:
1) A stipend of $9.00/hr, to a maximum stipend of $4320 for a full 12-week course, and 2) Free housing in the Memphis Zoo’s condominium located near the Zoo. The condominium has two bedrooms and houses up to four people, and interns may be required to share a bedroom with a same-sex roommate.

Duration:
This internship is full-time (40 hrs/week), and appointments are for 12 weeks. Start date is flexible for the position but a start date between May 1st and June 1st is preferred, and applicants must be able to stay for the entire 12-week period.

Materials to Submit:
Visit memphiszoo.org/careers to apply online. Please make sure to select the correct internship, as there may be several concurrent research internship postings. Materials required in the online application are (1) a cover letter describing research interests, job-related skills and life experiences, (2) CV, (3) unofficial college transcript, and (4) a list of three professional or academic references. Submit these materials as a single PDF file. Applications with incomplete materials will not be considered. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Sinlan Poo (sheilapoo@gmail.com) with “Amphibian Research Internship” in the subject line.

Application Deadline:
The application deadline is March 15th. However, applications will be considered on a rolling basis and submission window may be closed earlier if candidate is found before that date.

Application Website:
Paid Conservation Research Internship, Summer 2021 – Amphibian Ecology and Conservation

We are looking for a motivated undergraduate or recent graduate to join our team studying the pollination ecology of two federally-listed endangered plants, Apios priceana and Dalea foliosa, in Alabama and Tennessee. While both projects will involve standard investigations of mating biology, floral traits, and floral insect visitors, each project explores slightly different aspects of the pollination ecology of rare plants:

For Apios priceana, we will explore how variation in mating patterns will impact decisions for species recovery.

For Dalea foliosa, we will characterize differences in floral insect communities to give a more nuanced understanding of what type of pollinators Dalea flowers use.

This technician will work closely with a team of three researchers at Auburn University, and there will be extensive field and lab work. This position runs from May to August, and start and end dates are flexible. This technician will receive a $6000 stipend for the summer.

Past experience with pollination, plants, or insects is not necessary as all training will be provided. An ideal candidate will have:

– past field or lab experience (not course-based)
– courses in ecology
– course(s) in statistics and/or experimental design

If interested, please send a cover letter, one-page resume, and two references to Dr. Charles Ray, Auburn University Department of Entomology. Application deadline is March 1st.

Agency                Tennessee State University, Department of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences
Location                Bankhead National Forest, AL / Nashville, TN
Job Category            Temporary / Seasonal Position
Salary                  $ 1000 per month
Start Date              May 15, 2021

End Date                August 31, 2021

Application             March 26, 2021
Deadline

Description

The Wildlife Ecology Lab at Tennessee State University (The Wildlife Ecology Lab at TSU) is looking for a seasonal field technician to assist a M.S. student with field sampling of herpetofauna in the William B. Bankhead National Forest in northern Alabama. The focus of the project is to evaluate the impacts of longleaf pine forest restoration on herpetofaunal assemblages. Primary duties will include:
–    Trap maintenance and installation
–    Checking box/pitfall traps daily
–    Handling and processing herpetofauna
–    Occasional green salamander surveys
–    Habitat and vegetation surveys

Other duties include maintaining field equipment as well as the ability to use map, compass, and GPS navigation.

Housing (shared), field equipment and vehicle provided (during work day).

Qualifications  Technicians must be in good physical condition and capable of working in unfavorable environmental conditions (e.g. rain, heat, snake, and tick infested forests, etc..). Preference will be given to applicants with previous field experience and those with experience handling venomous snake species. Technicians must display good communication skills and good judgement. Please note the field housing is remote.

A valid U.S. driver’s license, clean background and positive attitude are                            required.

Upload a single document (as a single .pdf) with (1) cover letter describing interest and relevant experience, (2) a CV/resume, and (3) a list of three professional/academic references with contact information to the Rbrubake@my.tnstate.edu with the subject line “Field Technician”

Contact Person: Rachel Brubaker

The Jones Center at Ichauway
Plant Ecology Seasonal Technician II

The Plant Ecology lab at the Jones Center at Ichauway invites applications for three  Seasonal Technician positions. Job duties primarily consist of seed collection and processing, but also include collecting long-term vegetation and photopoint data, data entry, and other field and laboratory work as needed. This 3-month position begins no later than mid-May 2021, with the possibility of extension. On-site housing is provided on a limited basis, but is optional. This position will report directly to the Plant Ecology Research Associate.

The 28,000-acre research center is located approximately 30 miles south of Albany, Georgia. The Center’s research, education, and conservation programs focus on ecology and natural resource management. The site includes 16,000 acres of longleaf pine forests, more than 1,000 acres of wetlands, and 26 miles of stream and river ecosystems. For more information visit our web site: The Jones Center at Ichauway.

Job Requirements: Ability to independently follow instructions. Field work requires moderate to strenuous physical activity in the field, under demanding conditions (e.g., heat, high humidity, exposure to poison oak/ivy, and insects). Must have a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications: Undergraduate degree in biology, botany, horticulture, plant ecology, or a related field. Previous experience with seed collection or plant identification in the southeastern U.S. and the use of dichotomous keys is highly desired. Computer and laboratory-related experience is also preferable.

Wages: $11.00 – $15.00 per hour, depending on experience (limited housing available)

Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, list of relevant coursework, list of three references with contact information, and the date they are available to begin working as a single document by email to: jobs@jonesctr.org, Subject: Plant Ecology Seasonal Technician.

For specific questions or more information on this position, contact: Lisa Giencke, Plant Ecology Research Associate, by email: lisa.giencke@jonesctr.org or phone: (229) 734-4706.

The Jones Center at Ichauway aspires to fully embrace equity, diversity, and inclusion. We reject all forms of racism including overt and systemic, prejudice, discrimination or hate toward any race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, national origin, veteran status, socioeconomic class, religion, or professional status. The Jones Center at Ichauway is an equal opportunity/affirmative action E-verify employer.

*FundaciÃf³n Para La Tierra* is searching for talented and hardworking research interns to join our team in Paraguay for 3 to 6 months. Our internship program provides young biologists an opportunity to step out of the classroom and into the field, gaining hands-on experience running a research project of their own design. Before arriving, our interns are challenged to come up with a research topic, review the relevant literature, and create a methodology with the support of our intern-supervisor. Once in-country, interns are trained in the field techniques required for their project. Whether it’s mist-netting for birds in the early hours of the morning, fishing at mid-day or staying out late hunting for frogs, PLT will make sure that our interns are confident in the methodology needed to move their research forward. Towards the end of the
stay, all our interns give a final presentation in which they share the results of their study with the rest of the research team. The internship program is designed to give young scientists the opportunity to take control of every step of a scientific project. From conception to completion, our interns are in the driver seat.

When was the last time that you were given the opportunity to choose what you wanted to study?

At Para La Tierra, we specialize in training young biologists in the skills they need to enter further education or the job market. Based in Paraguay, the “heart of South America” we are the country’s only year-round research station. Over the past 10 years, we have published over 130 peer-reviewed articles and discovered a few new species for science. Along the way, over 1,000 interns have helped contribute to the better understanding of Paraguay’s understudied habitats.

Our research base is located in the city of Pilar, a beautiful location in the south of Paraguay, and the gateway to the ÃfÂ’eembucÃfº Wetland Complex (NWC). The NWC is composed of a mosaic of habitats, including grasslands, marches and humid Chaco. Deep forests lining the rivers and streams running through the area are bursting with wildlife, while river monsters the size of small cars lurk in the murky waters.

Come discover for yourself what Paraguay has to offer!

Our interns finish the program taking away a long list of newly learned skills, a professional reference, and one heck of an experience to share at their next interview. But they also leave behind a great deal. All of our intern projects are directly involved in conserving this threatened
habitat. The scientific investigations of the area help raise awareness of the ecological importance of ÃfÂ’eembucu at both the national and international levels. The most successful projects are published in scientific journals, further raising the profile of Paraguay, and many
interns make their way onto the author line for the first time in their early careers through their work with Para La Tierra.

The application period is rolling and there are no start or end dates, so the trip can be organized to suit the project and the person. Interns must be available to stay for a minimum of three months.

Applicants must be over 18 years old and have or be working towards a degree in a biology related subject. Conversational English is required. To apply please email your CV to paralatierra.py@gmail.com.

Costs âÂEUR”  $925 per month for the first two months and $875 for each subsequent month.

Para La Tierra charges interns to cover costs of room and board. The price includes all living costs during their stay with us. Interns receive three meals a day, a bed in shared accommodation with hot showers and access to WiFi. The fee also covers the use of PLTâÂEURÂ(tm)s scientific equipment, minor administrative costs associated with the stay, and a small contribution to Para La Tierra’s conservation and education projects.

Do not hesitate to visit our website (Para La Tierra) and social media pages, and to contact us if you are interested in this unique opportunity!

AFS Spring 21 Schedule Flyer

The applications for the OTS REU program for summer 2021 are now open

OTS-REU-Flyer-2021

We are seeking 2-4 undergraduate students to virtually join our lab
for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) positions in the
summer of 2021 (June 14-August 20, 2021). The positions are supported
through the National Science Foundation (NSF) and participants will
receive a $4000 stipend, and will be expected to participate part-time
(20hr/week). Because the position is virtual, there is no limit on the
geographical location of the student, however, due to our funding source,
we are limited to individuals who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals,
or permanent residents of the United States and students who have not
yet graduated from their undergraduate institution.

REU students will collaborate with our lab members to complete research
projects in computational genetics. Potential projects center around using
genomics as a tool to understand mammalian health and evolution¡Vour
lab primarily studies dogs and monkeys. The only expectation we have
for the incoming student-researchers is to have some familiarity with
genetics (e.g. an undergraduate genetics course). Students will receive
mentoring as they learn the computational biological skills (including
coding with command line and R) to analyze molecular data from non-human
primates or dogs, as well as the communication and data visualization
skills to present their findings to colleagues. More details about
on-going projects in the Snyder-Mackler (SMack) lab can be found on our
website¡¦s research <https://smack-lab.com/research/> and publications
<https://smack-lab.com/publications/> pages.

The SMack lab is committed to maintaining and further developing an
equitable and inclusive research environment and we welcome students from
all backgrounds to apply. We are seeking passionate, enthusiastic
undergraduates to join us for this opportunity ¡V no prior research
experience required!

If interested, please submit this application
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yiNElAUYmx_nytQnjnt6H-8mMlOr5xoxzV7Hvg3iO8Q>
by
February 28, 2021. Feel free to email the principal investigator
(PI)/faculty member at the head of this recruitment, Dr. Noah
Snyder-Mackler (nsnyderm@asu.edu) with any questions.