Hello,

I’m pleased to share an exciting paid summer internship for STEM undergraduates at the University of California San Diego and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Please feel free to distribute this opportunity to your undergraduate students and post it on your institution’s job boards. More information and the flyer are included below.

Thank you!

Victoria Alzona

Summer Internship Coordinator

Marine Physical Laboratory

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

mpl-internship@ucsd.edu

The Marine Physical Laboratory (MPL) at the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego is now seeking curious, motivated undergraduates with strong quantitative skills to apply for the 2026 MPL Summer Internship Program.

This paid, eight-week research program provides students the opportunity to work on their own individual research project under the guidance of leading scientists in the field. Interns also participate in weekly seminars, hands-on activities, and professional development events. Participants receive an hourly wage of $18.25.

Research areas include:

Acoustics and InfrasoundApplied Ocean SciencesAutonomous Ocean Platforms and Global Observing SystemsCoastal OceanographyInternal Waves and Ocean MixingMarine Mammal BiologyMarine RoboticsNonlinear and Surface WavesOcean AcousticsOcean Instrumentation and TechnologyOcean–Atmosphere InteractionsPhysical OceanographyPopulation and Community EcologyUpper Ocean and Submesoscale Processes

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as a second-year, or third-year undergraduates. (Senior-year undergraduates, former MPL interns, and high-school students are not eligible.)Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the internship start date. Applicants must be available to begin in June 2026 and work 40 hours per week for the full 8 consecutive weeks.

Application Procedure
To learn more and apply, please visit: https://mpl.ucsd.edu/internships/.

Applications are due Friday, January 23, 2026, at midnight Pacific Time.
Applicants will be notified of decisions by the end of April.

UC San Diego is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity. Students from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

Contact
For questions, please email: mpl-internship@ucsd.edu.

Follow Us:
Instagram: @mplinternship
Threads: @mplinternship
Twitter/X: @mplsummerintern

Seasonal technician positions: Forest ecology / plant community ecology

Tyson Research Center

Washington University in St. Louis

The Myers Ecology Lab at Washington University in St. Louis (http://www.myersecologylab.com) seeks two seasonal field technicians to participate in two forest-ecology projects at the university’s field station, Tyson Research Center (http://tyson.wustl.edu): 1) a long-term study of an oak-hickory forest-dynamics plot that is part of the Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO) global network of scientists and forest research sites dedicated to advancing long-term study of the world’s forests (https://www.forestgeo.si.edu); and 2) a landscape-scale experiment investigating the importance of prescribed fire, plant-functional traits, and natural enemies as drivers of forest diversity and change. The technician will develop skills and gain experience in: 1) field protocols for censuses of long-term ForestGEO plots, including tree identification, tree mapping, and measurements of tree growth, mortality, and seed production; 2) data collection for large-scale field experiments, including surveys of plant community composition and dynamics across environmental gradients; 3) management of large data sets; 4) mentoring of undergraduate and high school students in field research; and 5) team-based ecological field research. The Myers Ecology Lab and Washington University are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

Position details: This is a full-time, temporary position (up to 6 months) with no benefits. Candidates interested in a shorter position (minimum of 3 months) are also encouraged to apply. Wages will be commensurate with experience. The position is available starting between April 1 and May 18, 2026. The successful applicant will need to secure their own housing in St. Louis or near Tyson Research Center (20 miles from campus). Located on the edge of the Ozark ecoregion, Tyson Research Center is a 2000-acre field station dedicated to multi-scale research, teaching, and collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and levels of academic training.

Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g. biology, ecology, forestry); experience conducting field research; excellent teamwork skills; ability to work outdoors under a range of conditions that include hot or cold weather, mosquitoes and ticks, and steep terrain; enthusiasm to learn new concepts and field skills.

Preferred qualifications: A strong interest in ecology; experience working in a field team; experience with plant identification, especially in temperate forests.

To apply: Please submit 1) a cover letter describing your interest in this position, how the position would advance your career goals, relevant experience, start date availability, and contact information for three references including e-mail addresses and phone numbers; and 2) a CV or resume. Application materials must be submitted electronically through https://jobs.washu.edu by entering the job ID number (JR91482) as a keyword on the Search WashU Jobs page. Review of applications will begin January 5, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Candidates are strongly encouraged to e-mail Dr. Jonathan Myers (jamyers@wustl.edu) to indicate interest in the position as soon as possible using the subject line “Seasonal Ecology Technician”. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Jonathan Myers.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Kentucky is seeking qualified applicants for a MS assistantship available starting July 2026. The project will study the patterns and drivers of white oak’s growth and evaluate the role ecological forestry practices can play in sustaining white oak through promoting enhanced recruitment and reduced mortality. The research will leverage assessments of undisturbed stands and those subject to silvicultural practices such as thinning to understand how stand density, forest microclimates, and tree characteristics influence white oak growth and recruitment patterns. Tree-ring analysis will be used to help inform how past stand conditions influenced tree response. There will also be opportunities to explore mechanistic drivers of white oak’s growth through collaboration with Dr. Sybil Gotsch’s forest ecophysiology laboratory in the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.

This graduate assistantship will provide students with a detailed ecological understanding of the region’s oak dominated forests as well as experience in the study of forest growth, dendrochronology, ecophysiology, and silviculture.

Assistantship will include a stipend of $28,117, tuition, and health benefits. Interested students should contact Dr. John Lhotka (john.lhotka@uky.edu, 859-257-9701). Please visit the following website, https://forestry.mgcafe.uky.edu/masters-program, to obtain information on the application process.

_____________________________________________________

Sybil G. Gotsch, Associate Professor (she/her/hers)

PI-Forest Ecophysiology Lab

Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment | University of Kentucky

105 T.P. Cooper Building, 730 Rose Street

Lexington KY 40546-0073

T: 859-257-7596 | F: 859-323-1031 | E: sybil.gotsch@uky.edu

Websites: https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/; http:/www.sybilgotsch.com/

I am seeking a motivated PhD student interested in plant ecology and global change to join my lab group at the University of Connecticut and broader interdisciplinary team beginning Summer 2026.  We are investigating how global change drivers (CO2, temperature, nitrogen deposition, water availability, fire) affect boreal conifer species reproduction. The successful candidate will be funded as a Graduate Assistant for four years (~$40,000/year) and conduct field work in northern New England and Quebec, analyze C:N:P:K stoichiometry and stable isotope signatures of herbarium and field-collected samples, conduct seed germination trials, and serve as a mentor for a summer youth science immersion program in Alaska. Preferred qualifications include an MS in a related field, field and biogeochemistry experience, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills. I am committed to creating an inclusive and equitable working environment and encourage students from all backgrounds to apply. 

Interested? Please email me (beth.lawrence@uconn.edu) by December 15, 2025: 1) a statement of your research interests, and 2) a CV that includes relevant professional experience and contact information for three references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

NSF EGFP Graduate Fellowship Opportunity in Ecology & Global Change

West Virginia University – Department of Biology

The Department of Biology at West Virginia University is seeking applicants for two fully funded NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP) positions in ecosystem ecology, microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and/or global change biology. This fellowship provides a full stipend and tuition support for graduate study (i.e. Ph.D.) in the Department of Biology. In addition, students will receive an annual research budget ($10,000) that can support research efforts and conference travel. Students will have the opportunity to conduct high-impact and cutting-edge research broadly in the areas of ecology and environmental change, with flexibility to develop an original project that aligns with the program’s mission of advancing scientific capacity in EPSCoR states. Students may be housed in either the labs of Dr. Eddie Brzostek, Dr. Justin Mathias, or Dr. Ember Morrissey and more information on these labs can be found at https://biology.wvu.edu/faculty-and-staff. This is an excellent fit for students seeking substantial research independence and support early in their graduate career. To be eligible students need to have received Honorable Mention on a NSF GRFP proposal within the last 3 years. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Eddie Brzostek (erbrzostek@mail.wvu.edu) to discuss potential projects.

What the Fellowship Provides

Full graduate stipend ($37,000 annually) Tuition and fee coverage (students will have no education costs) Three years of NSF funding, usable within a five-year window Annual research budget to support research and conference travel ($10,000) Opportunities for professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with statewide EPSCoR initiatives

Why WVU?

Access to diverse Appalachian forest ecosystems, long-term research sites, and state-of-the-art facilities Strong institutional support for interdisciplinary research in ecology, climate science, soil science, and ecosystem modeling A collaborative and welcoming graduate community with extensive mentoring opportunities High-impact research programs recognized regionally and nationally

Required qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, forestry, environmental science, soil science, or related field Received an honorable mention in a NSF GRFP application within the last three years U.S. citizens or permanent residents (required for NSF EGFP eligibility)

Preferred Qualifications

Interest in forest ecosystems, global change, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, or ecological modeling Strong quantitative, analytical, or field skills (any combination is welcome) Highly motivated and intellectually curious

How to Apply

Please email the following to Eddie Brzostek (erbrzostek@mail.wvu.edu):

CV A short statement (1–2 pages) describing your research interests and alignment with the themes above Unofficial transcripts Contact information for 2–3 references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority for students starting in the Fall of 2026.

MS or PhD Graduate Research Assistantships – Tropical Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (TropHTIRC), Purdue University

The Tropical Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (TropHTIRC) is a collaborative research and extension center for reforestation and restoration of Hawaiian native forest trees. TropHTIRC supports training of graduate research students through collaborations at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Purdue University, and TropHTIRC partners including the USDA Forest Service’s Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.

We are recruiting for graduate student candidates at the MS or PhD level to begin in fall semester of 2026. Programs of study are flexible, but should involve research addressing the ecology, genetics, entomology, pathology, or silviculture of one or more native forest trees of Hawaii. Candidates will work with faculty in developing a specific research focus related to the TropHTIRC mission, which may emphasize ecophysiology, plant propagation, silvicultural systems, ecological restoration, tree improvement, molecular genetics, invasive species, pathogens or pests, and/or global change biology. Research topics of current priority include koa field establishment and silviculture, sandalwood propagation and host plant interactions, and ohia disease resistance.

We are committed to recruiting and training graduate student candidates with strong ties to Hawaii and career goals to contribute to the health of Hawaii forests and the communities that rely on these ecosystems. Graduate Assistantships cover tuition, most of a medical insurance premium, and a stipend ($28,000 MS and $30,000 PhD per year) for two years for MS students and four years for PhD students. Native Hawaiians and Native Pacific Islanders are eligible for Sloan Scholarships through the Sloan Foundation Indigenous Graduate Partnership, which provides additional funding support directly to the student. Candidates should submit their applications by December 1, 2025 for fall 2026 entry for full scholarship consideration, but please contact us in advance with your interests.

For more information, please visit www.trophtirc.org and contact:

Douglass F. Jacobs, Ph.D.

Professor and Fred M. van Eck Chair of Forest Biology

Director, Tropical Harwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center

Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University

The Catchen Lab (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcatchenlab.life.illinois.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40ad.uconn.edu%7C1160f71881454f80eb0108de25d0c77b%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638989775840611720%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BrDWdVoZgtu5FgwF%2BiV3OOaO0TYgDwJSXCOAvh73tTU%3D&reserved=0), in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is recruiting graduate students to join our lab.

Our lab is primarily a computational lab that focuses on the evolution of genome architecture. We blend comparative genomics with population genetics, applying a computational toolset to most of our analyses. We sequence a lot of DNA, focusing on long- and short-read sequencing, combining these data with novel algorithm development in Python and
C++. We accept students with a range of computational experience and
previous students have worked on research projects ranging from purely biological analyses to writing software.

Recent projects in the lab have included significant work in fishes, including the genomics of Antarctic fishes, the genome architecture of killifishes, stickleback genomics, ancient and modern salmon DNA, and investigating the genomic basis of honey bee metabolism.

Some of our students develop software packages; the lab developed the Stacks software for analyzing RADseq data, tools for conserved synteny analysis and genome assembly curation, visualization tools, such as Klumpy, and with some cool stuff under development.

The department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior is housed within the School of Integrative Biology, home to over 30 faculty working in ecology, behavior, conservation and evolution. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers state-of-the-art research facilities such as the Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB), the Beckman Institute (several research themes including bioimaging and Molecular Science and
Engineering) and the Grainger College of Engineering. Urbana-Champaign is a pleasant, affordable, university town with good music and restaurants. It has its own airport and is close to three major U.S. cities (Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis).

Students for the Ph.D. are typically funded for 5-years with a combination of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. The deadline for consideration is December 15, 2025.

Please contact Julian Catchen (jcatchen@illinois.edu) if you have questions or want to discuss opportunities in the lab.

“Catchen, Julian” <jcatchen@illinois.edu>

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An MS graduate position is available with Dr. Steve Travers (Evolutionary Ecolgy, North Dakota State University) starting Fall 2026.  The successful applicant will investigate the adaptation of wild plants to warm climates. The two year project will involve:

Experimentally testing heat tolerance of Brassica rapa collected from a range of latitudes Designing variables to measure reflecting tolerance Synthesizing field work and collaborative work on physiology and genetics Opportunities at leadership

Project Description: Variation in plant thermotolerance can result from multiple factors, including adaptation to local thermal climates. In this project, we will conduct a common garden experiment and measure thermotolerance variables in populations from divergent thermal environments toward the extremes of the Brassica rapa U.S. range. We will test three non-exclusive predictions based on the hypothesis of local thermal adaptation: (1) optimal performance temperatures are positively correlated with mean provenance temperature; (2) plants from more thermally variable environments are more thermally plastic than their counterparts from more stable environments; and (3) plants from more thermally variable environments have the widest thermal niche breadths.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in ecology, biology, environmental science or related field Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team and be willing to mentor others Research experience

If you are interested in learning more about the research and the position, please contact Steve Travers at steven.travers@ndsu.edu. You can also learn about the lab at: https://sites.google.com/view/evoecobot/home?pli=1

Graduate Assistantships in Global Change and Forest Dynamics, University of Denver

The Martin lab (duforestecology.weebly.com) invites applications at the Ph.D. or M.S. level to the University of Denver graduate program in Biology, Ecology and Evolution in the Department of Biological Sciences (du.edu/nsm/departments/biologicalsciences/index.html).

We welcome inquiries from candidates interested in how global environmental change is influencing tree demography and forest dynamics across spatial and temporal scales. Observational and experimental studies in the field will be used to build quantitative models of plant-environment relationships and to explore scenarios of forest dynamics under changing conditions; e.g. climate change influences on recruitment, whole-plant carbon budgets in invasive species ecology, and how drought and warming are impacting tree species biochemistry and physiology. Opportunities exist for projects in the montane forests of the Rocky Mountains or the tropical montane forests in the Caribbean. Projects will start ideally on June 1st, 2026.

We seek candidates with proficiency and experience in the following areas:
* Fieldwork ecology experience; love of mountains, hiking, camping, etc.
* Experience in tree ecophysiology, including use of a LI-COR 6800
* Interest or experience using quantitative models of forest dynamics (e.g. SORTIE).
* Statistical, modeling, and programming skills (R, S-plus, etc.).
* Knowledge of the flora and ecology of the Rocky Mountain or Caribbean regions
* Strong written and communication skills, including firsthand experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

Interested applicants should email Dr. Martin (patrick.h.martin@du.edu). Applications received before February 1st 2023 will receive priority.

In your email, please provide a statement of your current and future research interests and experiences, your CV, and contact information for 3 references.