Hi all,

The Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center?(SERC) is seeking an intern starting Spring 2025. The intern will support multiple components of a research project that examines the responses of the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) population to an active island restoration project.

The Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island (Poplar Island) presents a unique opportunity to understand how large-scale ecological restoration projects affect terrapin populations. The two focal components of the project are (1) evaluating the current terrapin population on Poplar Island and how the population responds as the Poplar Island’s restoration progresses, and available habitat increases and (2) continue the Terrapin Education and Research Partnership (TERP), which places hatchlings into local classrooms and evaluate the success of released hatchlings into the population. The intern will support the project by participating in field work including (1) field capture and release of diamondback terrapins using fyke nets and modified crab traps, (2) marking individual captured terrapins using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags and collecting morphometric data on adult and hatchling terrapins (3) conducting terrapin nest surveys, protecting intact nests and collecting emerged hatchlings and (4) capturing eastern kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula), eastern rat snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis), eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) and common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) when encountered and collecting morphometric data including marking with PIT tags. Other responsibilities may include organizing and cleaning gear for field work, entering data and working with volunteers or other interns, and communicating project activities.

The intern will have the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of diamondback terrapin ecology and conservation, obtain experience working within a research lab and as part of a team, learn about research design and methods for ecological data collection, develop data management and analysis skills, and participate in science communication.

We are seeking applicants with some (but not necessarily all) of the following:

Bachelor’s degree in ecology, environmental science, wildlife biology or related fieldExperience with fieldwork, in hot, humid conditions with biting insectsExperience in data management (collecting, recording, entering, organizing)Experience in capturing and handling reptilesWritten and verbal communication skillsAbility to work independentlyAbility to work as part of a team

Compensation: $700/week

Duration: 8 weeks with potential to extend depending on budget

Application Deadline: March 28, 2025, but will continue to receive applications until the position is filled.

A mutually agreeable start date will be determined with the selected applicant. We anticipate a start date in early May 2025. This will be an in-person internship with field work taking place on Poplar Island, Maryland with some office work in Edgewater, Maryland. Onsite Housing at SERC may be available.

To apply, please email a resume that highlights relevant experiences to Patricia Levasseur (levasseurp@si.edu).

For more information about our lab, please visit our website: https://serc.si.edu/labs/spatial-ecology-and-conservation

The Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center?(SERC) is seeking a post-baccalaureate intern starting Spring 2025. The intern will support multiple components of a research project that examines the ecological responses to a nature-based approach (NBA) island restoration project.

The disappearance of more than 400 islands within the Chesapeake Bay has occurred as a result of climate change and erosion. Island restoration is important at both local and global scales to mitigate the loss of habitat and biodiversity caused by climatic and anthropogenic factors. The project focuses on understanding how plant and animal communities respond to a restored island using a nature-based “living shoreline” approach compared to conventional artificial hardened shoreline techniques.

The intern will support the project by participating in field work including (1) vegetation planting and monitoring within experimental plots, (2) turtle nest and visual surveys (3) soil, water, and oyster sample collection and (4) collecting acoustic and video monitoring data and (5) collecting microclimate sensor data. Other responsibilities may include organizing and cleaning gear for field work, assisting in the setup of field experiments, entering data, assisting in identifying birds through acoustic sampling and aquatic fish and invertebrates through video sampling, managing microclimate sensor data, working with volunteers or other interns, and communicating project activities.

The intern will have the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of island community ecology, obtain experience working within a research lab and as part of a team, learn about research design and methods for ecological data collection, develop data management and analysis skills, and participate in science communication.

We are seeking applicants with some (but not necessarily all) of the following:

•Experience with fieldwork, in hot, humid conditions with stinging/biting insects

       Experience with fieldwork in experimental settings related to plant and animal handling

•Experience in data management (collecting, recording, entering, organizing)

•Experience identifying birds (by sight and sound), fish, and aquatic invertebrates

•Coursework and/or experience in ecology, environmental science, or botany

•Written and verbal communication skills

•Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Compensation: $700/week

Duration: 18 weeks with the possibility of extension (depending on budget)

Application Deadline: We will begin reviewing applications on March 26, 2025 and will accept applications until the position is filled.

A mutually agreeable start date will be determined with the selected applicant. We anticipate a start date in late April or early May. This will be an in-person internship with fieldwork taking place on Jefferson Island, Maryland with some office work in Edgewater, Maryland. On-site housing may be available.

To apply, please email a resume that highlights relevant experiences to Shelley Bennett (bennettm@si.edu).

For more information about our lab, please visit our website: https://serc.si.edu/labs/spatial-ecology-and-conservation

Shelley Bennett, M.S.

Head Technician – Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

bennettm@si.edu | +1-408-829-1414

she/her/hers

Dear all,

We are excited to announce our upcoming online course, Art (Science) Attack, running 14-17 April.

This course bridges the gap between art and science, empowering researchers to create engaging visuals that effectively communicate their work. Using open-source software such as Krita and Inkscape, participants will learn how to design figures, project mascots, and compelling graphics for presentations, papers, and public engagement.

Course website: https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/art-science-attack/

Who should attend?
Researchers, students, or anyone interested in improving how they visually communicate scientific ideas — no prior artistic experience required.

What you will learn:

Strategies to simplify complex scientific concepts into clear, attractive designs Creating logos, project mascots, and journal cover art Developing scientific schematics, one-panel figures, and outreach materials Practical training with Krita (rasters) and Inkscape (vectors)

Bring your ideas to life:
Participants are encouraged to submit a “portfolio” — this can be anything from a rough sketch to figures or visual concepts related to their projects.

For the full list of our courses and workshops, please visit: https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/

Best regards,

Carlo

Interested in applying to Graduate School in the biological sciences? Want to learn more? Please join us for an information session and conversation with EEB graduate students!

March 25th at 5:30 pm in TLS 111

See attached flyer for more information!

GRAD SCHOOL PANEL_Digital Poster

Frosted_Elfin_Technician

The McBride Lab at Princeton University (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmcbridelab.princeton.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40ad.uconn.edu%7C06d3961bb57e44f4cf3208dd6157a25b%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638773751200440895%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rO6L4RajATJ%2F2FxTAmxcF8HhWbtwtsISabi8QpgI09s%3D&reserved=0)
is looking for a lab technician to support research on mosquito behavior, genetics, and evolution starting in mid/late summer 2025. The technician will devote ~70% of their time to a specific research project and the remaining ~30% time to general maintenance and lab support. The technician will be welcomed as a full lab member, attending journal clubs and lab meetings and contributing to a dynamic and interactive lab atmosphere. This is an opportunity to become deeply involved in exciting research at the interface of evolution, genetics, and neuroscience and is well-suited for a recent college graduate looking for more experience/focus before graduate school.

Research project activities may include:

– Mosquito breeding and behavioral experiments
– Generation of transgenic strains using CRISPR/Cas9
– Molecular biology studies including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, cloning

Essential Qualifications:

The interested candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in biology or related field and previous experience in a research laboratory (beyond lab classes). Previous experience rearing insects, studying behavior, and/or carrying out molecular biology protocols in a research setting is strongly preferred. A demonstrated interest in evolution, neuroscience, genomics and/or behavior is also preferred. It is essential that candidates be highly organized, detail-oriented, and demonstrate enthusiasm for working and communicating with others in a collaborative lab setting.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Contact Lindy McBride at csm7@princeton.edu with questions or email a cover letter/resume to apply.

Lindy McBride <csm7@princeton.edu>

UConn@COP Fellowship Program

The UConn@COP Fellowship is an immersive learning experience that sends a cohort of undergraduate and graduate students to the United Nations’ Conference of the Parties (COP) annual global Climate Change Conference. The event brings together diplomats, business executives, heads of government, university leaders, environmental activists, NGO’s and other delegates to discuss progress on addressing climate change. The conference provides students with access to world leaders and a unique inside look at the global effort to combat climate change and promote climate justice through policy and technological solutions.

This year, negotiations will take place in Belém, Brazil and our cohort will attend from November 15^th-22^nd. UConn and donors cover nearly all costs of the program for students.

• Details and application links can be found here. Applications are due by 11:59pm on April 23, 2025.

Feel free to share the following video in your classes if any of your students need convincing that applying to UConn@COP is worth the effort!

Sustainability Grant Opportunity Open for UConn Students!

The Office of Sustainability and the Institute of the Environment host a funding program to support student projects that enhance environmental sustainability and campus-wide engagement with sustainability issues at the University of Connecticut and in Connecticut communities through research, authentic community engagement, campus operations, or education. Projects must increase both environmental and social sustainability at UConn, and address one or more of UConn’s strategic sustainability goal areas (climate change, energy and buildings, waste, outreach and engagement, water resources, food and dining, purchasing, transportation, or grounds, open space and conservation areas) and one or more related social challenges (fostering inclusion of diverse perspectives, addressing systematic inequalities, environmental justice, social and health inequity, community development, etc). Project activities can occur at any of the UConn campuses and extend to Connecticut communities outside of the University campuses. Special consideration is given to interdisciplinary projects that advance equity and justice or incorporate the arts and humanities. Awards may be up to $10,000.

Application NOW OPEN

Applications Close: April 7 at 11:59pm

Decisions will be made by May 1, 2025. Faculty/Staff Mentors must have the ability to accept and manage awarded grant funds.

Projects must be complete by December 31, 2025.

Learn more and find application materials: https://sustainability.uconn.edu/environmental-social-sustainability-grants-program/