The Agroecology program at Archbold Biological Station’s Buck Island Ranch (BIR) (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.archbold-station.org%2F&data=05%7C01%7Charrison.goodale%40uconn.edu%7C0484efb6e1924fbbac5208db0e74c540%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638119667410400688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sb7lpzR0NUuO1%2FQnc097xKAi9hzx9%2BTe%2Fihs%2Fi49%2Fpw%3D&reserved=0 is seeking an intern (6 – 9 months) to assist with grassland and wetland ecology, biogeochemistry, and range management research on our 10,500-acre cattle ranch in south-central Florida (Buck Island Ranch). The research intern will be supervised by Dr. Betsey (Elizabeth) Boughton in a diverse and fun lab. The lab is supported by the data management and GIS department located at the Archbold Biological Station. We interact closely with the cattle operations staff at BIR.
Internship highlights
The internship is structured between 20 paid hours/week assisting with field and lab projects, and the remaining hours designing and implementing an independent research project that fits within our research program (with a report and a presentation at the end of the internship).
Interns receive lodging at Buck Island Ranch (shared cottage with other interns) and a weekly stipend of $245.
Interns will:
- Get the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, including greenhouse gas monitoring, precipitation manipulation to simulate the effects of climate change, and wetland and grassland monitoring.
- Assist with plant biomass collection, plant community surveys (in wetlands and/or grasslands), soil sampling, water sampling, soil sieving grinding, acid washing, and data entry.
- Be trained in every aspect of scientific research, from project choice, experimental design, and statistical analysis to oral presentations.
- Opportunity to get more familiar with technology, and techniques (e.g., eddy covariance, gas flux sampling, water sampling, R-software).
- Experience life on a cattle ranch in a collaborative environment.
Who should apply?
- Ideal for recent graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or any related fields.
- Students interested in applied science who contemplate non-academic positions such as Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in applied ecology, wetland ecology, rangeland ecology
Requirements and internship responsibilities
- Highly motivated and enthusiastic about living and working in a rural field station setting. A valid driver’s license and own transportation for personal activities is required.
- Respectful of others, as successful interns will share lodging with other interns.
- Detail-oriented with respect to following sampling protocols and managing data.
- Must have authorization for US employment.
How to apply?
To apply please email the following to Dr. Sonnier (gsonnier@archbold-station.org).
o A recent CV.
o A cover letter stating research interests in the internship and a description of previous research experience.
o The contact information for three references.
- Review of applicants will begin Monday, February 27, 2023, and we will accept applications until the position is filled.
- Desired starting date April 2023.
Questions about the program
Please refer to Archbold Biological Station’s website for more details on our program: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.archbold-station.org%2F&data=05%7C01%7Charrison.goodale%40uconn.edu%7C0484efb6e1924fbbac5208db0e74c540%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638119667410400688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sr3X3l6A1Ek787RL9421fL%2BeLJGC5N5VwnnIcCUm%2Fpw%3D&reserved=0
If you have additional questions regarding the program, please contact Dr. Sonnier (gsonnier@archbold-station.org).