Plant Community Ecology Intern
Position Overview
The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve of the University of Minnesota has opportunities for recent graduates to work as plant community ecology interns. These positions can start as early as mid-August and will run through the middle of November. As a research intern, you will contribute to ongoing field experiments and interact with professors, post-docs, and graduate students. If you are a newly graduated student with a background or interest in biology, ecology, environmental science, botany, soil science, or related field we encourage you to apply.
Pay is $15.00 per hour. Typical workdays are eight hours Monday through Friday. Most of the work you do will be out in the field, though a few jobs have indoor laboratory or computer components. On-site dormitory housing is available to rent.
Research Overview
We have three large scale projects and several smaller scale LTER experiments that require most of our intern resources. BioCON is one of the large-scale experiments where we explore the ways in which plant communities respond to environmental changes such as increased nitrogen deposition, increased atmospheric CO2, decreased biodiversity, altered precipitation patterns, and increased temperatures. Another large-scale project is the Big Biodiversity experiment that studies how plant diversity affects the rates, dynamics, and stability of ecological processes at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. Other experiments nested within the Big Biodiversity looks at factors such as irrigation and increased temperatures. The third large scale experiment, FAB, is looking at tree competition under different diversity levels. This experiment includes approximately 40,000 trees within a 30 acre field that will run for over 100 years. Throughout the fall we maintain and sample these experiments.
Research site
CCESR is an eight square mile tract of land 35 miles north of the Twin Cities. Cedar Creek is endowed with a diverse mosaic of prairie, savanna, sedge meadows, bogs, open water, forests, and even abandoned agricultural fields. Its large size, great natural diversity, and uniform soil substrate make it ideal for ecosystem studies.
To apply
To apply, please email the following materials together in one email to ccintern@umn.edu:
- A completed application form (download at z.umn.edu/ccjobs)
- A resume (maximum of two pages)
- A cover letter stating why this internship will benefit you
- List of two references
There is no deadline for applications, these positions will be filled as we receive applications. We encourage you to complete the application process as early as possible in ensure the best opportunity.
If you have any questions regarding the application process or the internship please email the above address or call 612-301-2616.