Undergrad Research Opportunities 2/13/17
1) HJ Andrews Experimental Forest LTER REU position
We are seeking applicants for an NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) position in summer 2017 to examine small carnivore (e.g., weasel, western spotted skunk, Pacific marten) ecology at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest on the west slope of the Oregon Cascades near Blue River, Oregon. This project will focus on non-invasive approaches (i.e., camera trapping) to understand the spatial distribution and estimate populations densities of these small carnivores. This research will contribute to a larger PhD project on the small mammal and small carnivore food webs in the Pacific Northwest forest. As such, the student will be encouraged to participate in small carnivore captures and subsequent radiotelemetry.
The position will be based at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest and travel will be required for short trips to Oregon State University (Corvallis, Oregon). The Andrews Forest was established in 1948 as a US Forest Service Experimental Forest, and since 1980 is one of the National Science Foundation’s Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites. The field station has modern apartments with full kitchens, a well-equipped computer lab, and wireless internet (see http://andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu/ for more information on the site, facilities and research programs at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest). The landscape is home to iconic Pacific Northwest old-growth forests of cedar and hemlock, and moss-draped ancient Douglas firs; steep terrain; and fast, cold- running streams.
The goal of this program is to provide undergraduate students an opportunity to participate in 10 weeks of mentored, paid, independent research. The program includes a weekly seminar series and an opportunity for the student to interact with a multitude of scientists, OSU faculty, federal scientists, and graduate students conducting research in the area. Participants will closely work with the PIs of the project (Drs. Taal Levi, Damon Lesmeister, and Clint Epps) and a PhD student (Marie Tosa) on the grant. The REU student will conduct supervised and guided research and be encouraged to tailor the research project to his/her own interests.
This position lasts for 10 weeks, starting May 29 through August 4, 2017, working at least 40 hours/week. Exact dates are flexible. The student will be responsible for 1) meeting all requirements of the mentors and 2) writing a final research report on his/her research experience. Housing and a weekly stipend of $550 will be provided ($5500 total). There are also some funds to defray the cost of traveling to the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest.
Position Requirements: Applicants should have a valid driver’s license, the ability to carry a heavy pack (40+ lb) for moderate distances over uneven terrain, and be comfortable spending long days on their feet in the field. The position will involve working in inclement weather. Previous field experience and experience climbing trees are a plus. A general understanding of ecology is desirable. Eligibility is limited to currently enrolled undergraduates that have a graduate date no sooner than fall 2017. All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents. Women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
To apply: Please submit a brief cover letter (1 page) indicating your interest, experience and professional goals after graduation, curriculum vitae or resume, transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) and 3 professional references (names, addresses, phone number, and email address) as 1 document to: tosam@oregonstate.edu. Please include in the subject: HJA REU 2017 Application. Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will start Feb. 19, 2017, and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.
Questions should be directed to: Marie Tosa, email: tosam@oregonstate.edu, subject: HJA REU 2017.
2) REACCH PNA Internship Undergraduate Opportunity
The REACCH 2017 Summer Internships are open for applicants. Please distribute to undergraduates at your institutions and through your organizations. Through these internships REACCH has served more than 70 students from across the country—improving our project through integration and research. Applications are due Friday, March 10, 2017.
Regional Approaches to Climate Change- Pacific Northwest Agriculture (REACCH PNA) is a USDA-funded, multi-institutional project focused on improving the long- term sustainability of agriculture within the region. REACCH partners (University of Idaho, Washington State University, Oregon State University and USDA-ARS) are teaming up to offer a total of 10, 9-week long, undergraduate internships across the three institutions.
Summer interns will participate in independent research, weekly seminars, and field trips. Interns will receive a salary of $500 per week for the summer internship and a travel budget up to $700. Summer interns will also be provided with housing, identification cards, access to a library, email and internet privileges.
Summaries of the available research projects for summer 2017 are provided here. In addition to field and laboratory research, the interns will participate in group activities where they will learn about one another’s projects, meet with faculty members from diverse disciplines, attend research and mentoring seminars, and visit research sites and other areas of interest in the region.
3) Summer REU Opportunity: Stream Ecology in Iceland
A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) position is available at The Ohio State University for summer 2017 to study stream ecosystem metabolism in the context of global climate change and eutrophication with Dr. James Hood and graduate student Lyndsie Collis. The REU student will participate in the NSF-funded project “Interactive effects of temperature and nutrient supply on the structure and function of stream ecosystems” at The Ohio State University and in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Iceland project website: https://www.montana.edu/wcross/research/iceland.html
The successful candidate will join an international group of ecologists examining the influence of temperature and nutrients on stream metabolism and nutrient cycling. This research takes advantage of the unique geothermal environment in Iceland. Streams in Iceland’s Hengill region exhibit wide variation in ambient water temps due to spatial heterogeneity in geothermal activity. Our research leverages this spatial heterogeneity in stream temperatures to 1) develop theory, grounded in ecological stoichiometry and metabolic theory, for predicting the response of stream ecosystems to climate change and eutrophication, and 2) conduct experiments to understand how the temperature dependence of ecosystem metabolism varies across time scales and nutrient regimes. The student will work as a part of our team in Iceland on collaborative fieldwork and experiments. He/She will also develop an independent project.
The ideal candidate should be interested in perusing a career in ecology, hard- working, detail orientated and dedicated to his/her work. The student will start on June 1st, 2017 in Reykjavik, Iceland. We will provide a stipend of $500/week for nine weeks, round-trip transportation to Reykjavik, and support for lodging in Reykjavik.
Interested students should apply by Friday, February 24th, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Students who have received their bachelor’s degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are not eligible. Applications should include an unofficial copy of transcripts, contact information for two academic references, CV, and a one-page statement describing your interest in the REU position, academic goals, and previous research experience.
Please send applications to: Lyndsie Collis (Masters Student, The Ohio State University) Email: collis.21@osu.edu
4) REU Opportunity Summer 2017: “Long-Term Resilience of the Chihuahua Desert Ecosystem”
Curious about how human-related disturbance impacts vegetation and soil in a fragile desert ecosystem? The Jornada Basin LTER in collaboration with New Mexico State University invites applications for a NSF sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) in summer 2017. This 10-week experience enables you to investigate long-term impacts of different disturbance types on the resistance and resilience of desert vegetation, biological soil crusts, and soil properties. As an REU you will complete final (20th year) measurements on a unique study designed to determine how resilience is affected by disturbance type, frequency, intensity, and soil/geomorphic surface/plant and biological soil crust community. The study is replicated at 5 locations in southern New Mexico on and near the Jornada Basin LTER. You will work as part of a team collecting data on plant and biological soil crust community composition, soil aggregate stability and carbon flux rates. Additional measurements of soil hydrology may be included depending on time and interest. You may have the opportunity to serve as a co-author on one or more publications resulting from this 20-year dataset.
This REU experience provides you with:
- High-quality research experience in desert ecology
- Skills in field biology and laboratory methodologies
- Opportunity to work alongside researchers from interdisciplinary fields at a NSF- funded LTER facility
- Participation in the 1-day Desert Ecology short course taught by Jornada LTER scientists
- Opportunity to disseminate results in presentations and scientific publications
- A stipend of $8000 for 10 weeks
Requirements:
- You must be enrolled as an undergraduate at an approved university for spring and fall of 2017.
- Valid US driver’s license is required.
- Ability to work full days outside in the sun, wind, and low humidity.
- Interest and ability to stay overnight in field station lodging. Accommodations will be provided on-site with other researchers at the remote Jornada field station located 40 miles north of Las Cruces, NM.
- Your travel to and from Las Cruces from your home will need to be paid from your stipend
Your application should include:
- Letter of intent including statement of interest and previous research experience
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Unofficial undergraduate transcripts
For more information on the Jornada Basin LTER please visit https://jornada.nmsu.edu/lter. You can find information on the research mentors here: Nicole Pietrasiak http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/pes/nicole-pietrasiak.html; and Jeff Herrick https://jornada.nmsu.edu/lter/user/10156/view. Applications due: March 1, 2017. Please send your applications to Nicole Pietrasiak (npietras@nmsu.edu) and Jeff Herrick (jeff.herrick@ars.usda.gov)
5) Undergrad Researchers: Samford REU Program in Biology and Chemistry
With funding from the National Science Foundation, the 2016 Samford University REU program will offer hands-on, field- and laboratory-based research experiences to US undergraduates. In this 9-week residential experience, students will work one-on-one with experienced researchers in biology and chemistry to design, conduct, and present research related to the chemistry, genetics, and ecology of organisms, populations, and communities of Oak Mountain State Park, a large and diverse suburban park located in the southern Appalachians. Potential research topics include plant and animal ecology, microbiology, fire ecology, water quality, biochemistry, plant and fungal natural products chemistry and bioactivity, plant taxonomy, and aquatic community ecology. Application Deadline: February 14, 2017 Program Timeline: May 29–July 29, 2017
- $525 per week stipend
- Travel, room, board and research expenses covered
- 12 students will be accepted into the program Reasons to Apply
- Explore the worlds of field and laboratory research
- Explore your career opportunities as a working scientist
- Work closely with expert scientists to develop your own project
- Develop your understanding of scientific ethics and social justice
- Spend the summer at Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest state park
Application Process: All application materials should be submitted electronically to reu@samford.edu by February 24, 2017. Students must be US citizens or Permanent Residents and have completed two years of undergraduate study by May 2017, including one year of college-level biology. Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at accredited institutions in the United States at the time the REU program is held. Please submit:
- Application Form
- Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
For more information, go to http://www.samford.edu/programs/undergraduate/research-experience/ or email reu@samford.edu. R. Malia Fincher, Ph.D. Associate Professor Samford University Department of Biological and Environmental Science 800 Lakeshore Drive Birmingham, Alabama35229 rmfinche@samford.edu 205-726-2928 Fax 205-726- 2479 Office 133 Propst Hall
6) Summer Research Internships Available – Shark Research & Conservation Program @ University of Miami
The University of Miami’s Shark Research & Conservation Program is seeking motivated students to apply for summer research internships.
Internship details and application can be found here: https://sharkresearch.rsmas.miami.edu/participate/summer-research-program/
Science & Conservation: The research mission of this internship will be to assess the ecology and biology of shark in relation to urbanization and climate stressors. Research activities will include shark abundance surveys, tagging, and tracking as well as physiological sampling and associated laboratory analyses.
Internship opportunities: The Project provides immersive internships for students to gain research training and engage in scientific inquiry through participation with University of Miami scientists and staff. Participation involves scientifically sound practices and measurable outcomes in marine conservation biology.
Sea & Lab: Each research internship will be two weeks in duration, composed of both boat-based and laboratory research work at the University of Miami. The first week will primarily involve boat-based research and the second week will be primarily devoted to laboratory work.
Application can be found: https://sharkresearch.rsmas.miami.edu/participate/summer-research-program/
7) Science Communications Internship
Smithsonian Bicoastal Science Communications Internship
Stipend: $500/week Time: 18 weeks (April-August or May-September 2017) Start Date: Flexible, between April 1 and May 15 Location: Edgewater, Md. and Tiburon, Calif. Application Deadline: February 15, 2017, 11:59 p.m. PST
Description: Gain hands-on experience with environmental communication on both sides of America! The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center is seeking an intern to work for 18 weeks, from April through August, covering the work of SERC researchers in Maryland and California. The intern will start at SERC’s Chesapeake Bay headquarters in the spring, getting training in SERC science communications. In the summer, the intern will travel to San Francisco Bay to cover the work of SERC marine biologists in California for the remaining 10 weeks. Travel funds from Maryland to California are included.
- The intern will learn multiple facets of SERC communications, gaining experience in science writing, social media, and Web design. · The intern will learn to interview scientists, shadowing them in the field and translating complex research into smart, exciting articles. · The intern will summarize her/his accomplishments in a public seminar at the end of the project period under the supervision of the communications coordinator. · The intern will gain professional development by attending monthly meetings on the National Mall with the other Smithsonian public information officers.
Spring (Part I): Chesapeake Bay The intern will spend the first eight weeks at SERC’s headquarters in Edgewater, Md. There, the intern will interview SERC scientists in the field and the lab and write about their work. This first part of the internship will introduce the intern to the main features of SERC science communications: writing articles for the SERC Shorelines blog, preparing posts for SERC’s social media and assisting in the production of SERC’s quarterly newsletter On The Edge, under the mentorship of SERC science writer Kristen Minogue.
Summer (Part II): San Francisco Bay For the final 10 weeks, the intern will work in California, with the Tiburon section of SERC’s Marine Invasions Research Lab. SERC’s Tiburon branch is hosted at the Romberg Tiburon Center, a marine field station of San Francisco State University. SERC marine biologists in Tiburon work in San Francisco Bay and traverse the Pacific Coast studying invasive species, oyster restoration, and other critical conservation issues. There, the intern will cover the work of SERC’s West Coast scientists while exploring and developing communication strategies within the Pacific market. During the California part of the internship, the intern will work under the onsite supervision of research ecologist Andrew Chang and correspond with Kristen Minogue via Skype.
Pre-Requisites: Strong scientific background (natural sciences coursework; not required to be a science major) and skill writing about science for a nonscientific audience. Ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) required; familiarity with photo editing software, WordPress, and HTML a plus.
To apply: Send a cover letter, resume with references (name, title and contact information) and unofficial transcript to ScienceWritingIntern@si.edu by 11:59 PST February 15, 2017. One to three published or unpublished writing samples explaining science for general readers is also essential to include for the application to be considered. For more information visit http://serc.si.edu