Author: Davis, Miranda L.

Seeking PhD students for a transdisciplinary graduate training program

SUBJECT:  Seeking PhD students for a transdisciplinary graduate training program 

 

The Team-TERRA transdisciplinary graduate training program at the University of Connecticut is seeking prospective Ph.D. students from a variety of disciplines in an NSF funded transdisciplinary training program. The team-based, interdisciplinary training addresses complex risks spread across urbanizing landscapes to the nexus of food, energy, water, and ecosystems. As part of the training program, trainees will work in diverse teams to predict and solve the complex problems of the future in regions that are urbanizing and stretched to both provide the essentials for human wellbeing while maintaining the many benefits of biodiversity and natural ecosystems. 

 

The training program consists of a 2-year sequence of coursework, teamwork, a real-world internship, and associated workshops. Successful applicants will learn highly sought-after skills in risk analysis, management, and communication, how to lead research teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. The trainees will independently complete and work toward departmental and university dissertation requirements. Funding is available for 1-year stipends, travel, and research.  

 

Applicants will need to be admitted to a UConn department through their standard process, independent of the application process to Team-TERRA. 

 

You can find more information about the program in the attached brochure and on the Team-TERRA website or email the program coordinator with any questions you might have; charlotte.nelson@uconn.edu.

For current UConn students entering the Team-TERRA program in the fall 2023 or for students entering the Team-TERRA program fall 2024 cohort (students applying for admission to UConn for fall 2023), applications will be reviewed starting on February 1st, 2023, with priority given to those applications that are received prior to February 1st, 2023. Rolling admission will continue until April 1st, 2023.

 

Kellogg Biological Station Summer 2023 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

The deadline for the KBS REU program has been extended to February 14th!

The NSF funded KBS REU Site “Understanding biological responses to global change in a field station community” gives students an opportunity to conduct full-time research in collaboration with our outstanding faculty, postdocs and graduate students. REU students at KBS will conduct research to understand how organisms and ecosystems respond to global changes, in a time when this knowledge is more essential than ever.

In a close knit community of researchers and other STEM professionals at a beautiful field station on Gull Lake, REU students will benefit from regular interactions with scholars and summer program participants, participation in professional development workshops, and leadership, inclusion, and research ethics trainings. They will also practice communicating their science to a wide variety of audiences and participate in an end-of-summer research symposium.

Mentors come from departments of Integrative Biology, Plant Biology, Fisheries and Wildlife, and Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences. All REU participants will receive a generous stipend, room and board at KBS, funding towards travel costs, and funding for research supplies.

Dates:

This program is 10 weeks long and will run from May 21 – July 29, 2023 (students are expected to arrive on-site by 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21 and depart Saturday, July 29).

Hours:

This is a full-time (40+hrs/week) research experience.  Specific hours will be arranged with your research mentor.

COVID Policies:

All program participants will be required to comply with the most current Michigan State University COVID-19 policies.

Financial Support:

·         $6000 stipend + room & board at KBS- note that our dining hall will not be open. We provide a weekly grocery stipend and all apartments are equipped with kitchens

·         Up to $600 to cover transportation to and from KBS (note MSU can only reimburse drivers up to $500 in mileage)

·         Up to $250 for research expenses

Learning Plan and Professional Development:

REUs will work with their mentor to create a custom learning plan and work to develop an independent research project, collaborate to write a research proposal, attend weekly professional development seminars, develop an “elevator speech” about your research, write a research abstract and present a professional research poster at the KBS Summer Undergraduate Symposium, plus write a professional blog post about your research experience.

Our weekly professional development seminars cover topics like science communication, crafting a CV/Resume, and more. We also host grad panels and career panels to help students learn about a variety of STEM career options.

Field Trips and Activities:

Weekends at KBS are all about exploring. Students will take field trips to the Detroit Zoo, museums in Ann Arbor, the Saugatuck Dunes on Lake Michigan, and more! Activities closer to KBS include browsing the Farmer’s Market in Kalamazoo, bowling, birding, and kayaking on Gull Lake. Our resident mentors organize weekly activities that will appeal to a variety of interests.

What are the benefits of an REU at KBS?

-Join a dynamic group of students and faculty for an authentic field research experience

-Learn the process of research: reading literature, formulating questions and hypotheses, designing a study, writing a research proposal, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting your results as a research poster

-Explore if a career in research is a good choice for you

-Build references for your application to graduate school or other professional programs

-Participate in professional development seminars that will prepare you to think broadly about STEM career options

-Make new friends and explore beautiful Southwest Michigan!

https://www.kbs.msu.edu/education/undergraduate-program/research-experiences-for-undergraduates-reu/

Final Call: Green Teams Internship – $5,000 Stipend & Free Housing

The PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies is pleased to announce that undergraduate student applications are now open to join our summer 2023 GREEN TEAMS Internship Program running from May 30 – August 3, 2023.

This 10 week program pays a $5,000 stipend plus housing. Travel grants are also available. This program brings together students from diverse backgrounds and majors to address sustainability challenges for a wide array of organizations including but not limited to corporations, local businesses, municipalities, community groups, government agencies, and nonprofits.

This summer, team projects include topic areas such as: GHG Emissions Inventorying, Reduction in Laboratory Waste, Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, Data Analytics, Mapping, Environmental Justice, Urban Heat and Urban Street Trees, Green Space, and Equity. See https://www.montclair.edu/pseg-sustainability-institute/ for more information.

Apply directly online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAOzgEe3jnogC8DhkU0mUPCxtuIcZMM9Sdl2Mu94ZPogYYQw/viewform

The application deadline is THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2023.

If you have any questions about the program or how to apply, please contact us at psegiss@montclair.edu.

REU Site: Ecology in Human-Dominated Landscapes Miami University, Ohio

What: Paid Undergraduate Research Experience (NSF sponsored REU program)

https://sites.google.com/a/miamioh.edu/ecoreu/

Where: Miami University Oxford, Ohio

When: March 28th, 2023 to August 5th, 2023

Salary: $6000 stipend for 10 weeks, room and food allowance provided

How to Apply: fill out the application at this link: https://www.nsfetap.org/award/739/opportunity/787

Description: Miami University’s REU Site, focused on Ecology in Human-Dominated Landscapes, supports and prepares students in STEM to address critical research questions of the Anthropocene. This REU experience will prepare participants in all aspects of scientific research; build professional skills and understanding of how professional training, environmental ethics, and societal outcomes are linked; and expose REU participants to the ways science and ethics can lead to conservation solutions through hands-on service learning. Participants will conduct an independent research project with mentors in collaborative research clusters, and will participate in a variety of enrichment activities that address professional skills, environmental ethics, and service. All components of the program integrate the theme of ecology in human-dominated landscapes. This collaborative research experience is designed to address global issues that will empower some of our nation’s brightest students with the confidence and skills that allow them to solve socially and ecologically complex challenges. This will be a 10-week research experience in which students will receive both room and food allowances while staying at Miami University. This is a paid experience! Students will receive a $6000 stipend. Applications are now open, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

Program Eligibility Requirements:

-U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are currently undergraduates at any U.S. institution. (You must be enrolled in Fall 2023 at your home institution.)

-Students with a strong interest in ecology or environmental science.

-Prior coursework in ecology and environmental science is recommended.

-You must complete all components of the application.

Send questions to REU coordinator, Madeline Bach, at ecoreu@miamioh.edu

Summer field crew – Work in National Park Units this summer

NPS Southern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Network through Northern Arizona University

Work as part of field crew sampling vegetation in National Park Service units including Glen Canyon NRA, Grand Canyon NP, Petrified Forest NP, Chaco Culture NHP, Wuptaki NM, Walnut Canyon NM, Mesa Verde NP and Bandelier NM.

This position is based in Flagstaff, AZ but includes extensive travel to national park units across the Southern Colorado Plateau.  Hired technicians will use established protocols to collect vegetation data in backcountry locations. The field season begins in May and extends through October. The schedule is typically 8 days on, 6 days off. Crew members should expect to camp in parks for the duration of the hitch.  Travel per diem and some camping gear is provided.

We are seeking applicants with the following skills:

  • Familiarity with the flora of the Southern Colorado Plateau,
  • Experience collecting vegetation and soils data accurately in the field,
  • Ability to accurately record field data in tablet computers/paper datasheets,
  • Ability to identify plants to species using dichotomous keys and other aids,
  • Familiarity with principles of backcountry navigation and safety,
  • Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills,
  • Experience with GPS units and Microsoft Office software,
  • Ability to respect and get along well with others of varying backgrounds,
  • Willingness to spend long hours in the field under sometimes difficult conditions.

Pay $20 hr + per diem.

For more information contact:

Megan_Swan@nps.gov or Hannah_Andrascik@nps.gov

To apply, send resume and 3 references to Hannah_Andrascik@nps.gov

For first consideration, please submit application by 02/15/2023.

Rare Care Field Technician Position (Seasonal) – Seattle, WA

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation (Rare Care) at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens has a position available for a qualified individual to assist with fieldwork for ecological studies and vegetation monitoring as a Temporary Rare Care Field Technician. This position is located at the Center of Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens in Seattle and field sites are located near Wenatchee, Leavenworth, and Ritzville. Overnight travel will be required. When working at field sites lodging/camping will be provided and travel (mileage, food) will be reimbursed. Lodging is not provided in Seattle.

Specific duties include:

  • Monitor vegetation (species cover and composition data, plant morphology measurements) and estimate plant and canopy cover
  • Map populations with handheld GPS units
  • Identify plants to species using botanical dichotomous keys
  • Assist with day-to-day field logistics and maintain field equipment
  • Collect seeds for ex situ seed banking
  • ¢ Assist with field data collection, data entry, and QA/QC

Duration and Schedule: Approximately 10-20 hours per week between April 15 and June 30, depending on availability. Approximately 30-40 hours a week from June 1 through August 31, 2023. The field schedule is typically 10 hours a day, four days a week.

Required Qualifications:

  • Two years college credits with major study in engineering or science, OR two years of work experience equivalent to that performed by a research aide.

Compensation: Range is $18.79 – $19.24 per hour, depending on qualifications

Position Qualifications:

  • Undergraduate coursework in botany, biology, environmental science or a related field.
  • Ability to work and travel outdoors in variable weather including extreme heat, heavy rains and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions) while maintaining a positive to neutral attitude.
  • Capable of standing and walking (up to 8 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time.
  • Lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 30 pounds.
  • Current or ability to obtain CPR and First Aid training.
  • Self-motivated and able to serve independently with limited supervision after the initial training period.
  • Able to work cooperatively with others and strong communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in botany, biology, environmental science or a related field.
  • Experience with standard vegetation sampling techniques and familiarity with basic field sampling equipment.
  • Experience with working and traveling in remote areas.
  • Familiarity with the flora and ecosystems of Washington State and use of dichotomous keys.
  • The applicant should be able to maneuver and operate in a mixture of office and fieldwork.
  • Valid driver’s license.

https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/default.cfm?szCategory=jobprofile&szOrderID=217511&szCandidateID=0&szSearchWords=&szReturnToSearch=1

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at Hubbard Brook Forest

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at Hubbard Brook Forest: The Aging of a Forest in the Anthropocene Invertebrates are an essential link in the food chain. This project aims to understand how the abundance of forest invertebrates vary as a result of forest succession and available nutrients. We aim to collect insect and gastropod samples from three locations at Hubbard Brook: 1) Watershed 1, where 45 tons of calcium silicate were added via helicopter in 1999, 2) Watershed 5, where a whole-tree harvest was carried out from 1983 to 1984, and 3) Watershed 6, the reference watershed. With these samples, we can compare invertebrate abundance and species composition in the reference forest to that in an acid-remediated forest of the same age, and a forest that is now at about the same age as the other forests were when studies began 50 years ago.

The program runs from late May to mid-August. Students receive a $5000 stipend for the 10-week program, as well as free housing. Limited funding is available for research supplies and travel expenses. Food costs are paid by the participants and run approximately $42/week. Students live at Hubbard Brook Research Foundation’s researcher housing adjacent to the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, among a community of summer field students and technicians. All residents are expected to share and cooperate with cleaning, cooking, and related chores.

Co-mentors: Dr. Matt Ayres (matthew.p.ayres@dartmouth.edu) and Miranda Zammarelli (miranda.zammarelli.gr@dartmouth.edu), Dartmouth College.

To apply please email the following to miranda.zammarelli.gr@dartmouth.edu: 1.A one page resume (including relevant coursework)2.Contacts for three people who can provide a reference3.Short answers (~1 paragraph each) to the following questions:

  • There are many options for working in the environment, and research is one particular way. Why do you want to explore research?
  • Why are you interested in the research project to which you are applying?
  • How do you think that participating in the Hubbard Brook REU program could help you in your degree program and in your future pursuits?

https://hubbardbrook.org/undergraduate-graduate/

Allied Whale/Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. Research Assistant Positions: 2023 Field Season

Allied Whale (AW), the marine mammal research lab of College of the

Atlantic and Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. (BHWW) seeks 5 interns/research

assistants for the 2023 field season. These are entry-level research

positions designed to offer experience for individuals seeking to develop

their professional careers in marine mammal research. Two summer positions

(May 15 through August 31) and three full season positions (May 15 through

October 15) are available.

Overview of position: This is a unique internship program in that the

selected individuals will have the opportunity to participate and receive

training in a wide range of marine mammal research activities Allied Whale

while also working as a crew/scientist aboard commercial whale watching

trips operating from Bar Harbor, Maine. Allied Whale currently supports

field projects in the trophic ecology of humpback and fin whales, the

ongoing housing and maintenance of the North Atlantic humpback and fin

whale photo ID catalogs, an active stranding response program, and a

research/education partnership with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. In addition,

Allied Whale maintains the facilities on and conducts research from Mount

Desert Rock, a remote offshore island. The interns play a critical role in

the success of the field season and serve as support to all aspects of

summer activities within both Allied Whale and Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.

Description of duties: Upon arrival in May, all interns will receive

research, boat crew, and Gulf of Maine natural history training by both

Allied Whale and the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company staff. As the Allied

Whale field season does not begin until early June- the first several weeks

will be focused on hands-on training of whale watch deckhand

responsibilities, helping with boat maintenance, and assisting with whale

catalog matching in the office or stranding response.

Once the season is in full swing, interns will rotate through shifts

working as a Research Assistant/Deckhand (RA) for the Bar Harbor Whale

Watch Co., shifts working as deck/galley on lighthouse/nature cruises,

shifts in the Allied Whale office, and time off. Every week, schedules will

be different and weather dependent. A typical week in June-August may

include 2-4 days scheduled as researchers on Whale Watch vessels, 1-2 days

scheduled in the office, and two days off (these days may or may not be

consecutive). Weather may cause shifts to be canceled and some weeks may be

lighter in load or responsibilities.

Below are specific expectations for each designated shift:

Whale watch trips: Research responsibilities on the whale watch trips

include searching for whales, photo-identification of whales, and

behavioral data collection. RAs will also collect pelagic seabird data

during offshore travel to the whale feeding areas. Beyond research, RAs are

responsible for assisting the naturalist in promoting education and

conservation programs on each trip. In this, maintaining a positive,

professional, and friendly demeanor while engaging whale watch passengers

and fellow crew is necessary. Deckhand responsibilities include line

handling, vessel cleaning, helping seasick passengers, and passenger

safety. When whale watch trips cancel for weather, crew may be asked to

report for duty to complete maintenance on the vessel.

Allied Whale office shifts: On scheduled office days, interns will be

required to be available in the Allied Whale office from 9AM-5PM. During

those hours, interns will match individual whales to our catalog, enter

their whale watch data into the database, manage the Adopt-a-whale program,

answer phone calls to the office, and be on call for assisting with

response to strandings or necropsies. Interns schedule for office shifts

will also be on call for boat research days.

Allied Whale boat research days: When weather permits, interns will assist

Allied Whale staff and graduate students on trips offshore to collect

biopsy samples of humpback and fin whales. While on board one of the

research vessels, interns will be responsible for collecting photo

identification of whales and recording data. Interns will be responsible

for processing images from these trips. If schedule allows, RAs may also

participate in an overnight trip to collect samples in Canada.

Mount Desert Rock: We hope for interns to also complete several shifts

(each at least a week in length) at our offshore research station Mount

Desert Rock. While on the island, interns will participate in land-based

whale monitoring from the lighthouse tower, seal counts, gull counts, and

maintenance/construction projects at the station. Interns will collect

weekly samples of seal scat to contribute to a collaborative microplastics

project.  Interns will also receive experience working in a remote

off-the-grid location. Once hired, RAs will work to develop a collaborative

group project (on seal colony, intertidal community, nesting birds,

jellies, etc.) and will take turns with data collection during their shifts

offshore. RAs will also stay in contact with the BHWW office with sightings

reports.

Pay/Housing: Those accepted to the program are able to earn income by their

work on the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company. Deckhands are paid $70 a trip

(at the height of summer, there are 2 trips running a day). Interns also

receive free First Aid Certification. Provided housing in downtown Bar

Harbor is mandatory for a fee. Rent for the season will total approximately

$2080 for summer interns and $2350 for full season interns. While at Mount

Desert Rock, food is provided for free. **After August 31, if any of the summer

interns are interested they are welcome to work full time for the remainder

of the season as crew for the BHWW as deckhand/galley on lighthouse trips,

nature cruises, whale watches, and cruise ship tendering operations.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a college background or be currently

enrolled in a biology, ecology, and/or marine sciences program. Previous

data collection experience in a research setting and/or knowledge of marine

mammals are great advantages. While training will be provided and no prior

boating/camera experience is required, time spent offshore or skills in

photography are also assets. Due to Coast Guard requirements, all crew

onboard US commercial vessels and therefore all research

assistants/interns, must be US citizens or have permanent resident alien

status.  Also, all interns will be drug screened prior to employment and

will be enrolled in a random drug testing program.  Most importantly,

applicants must be positive in attitude, flexible to quickly changing

schedules, able to work independently, and be seaworthy/comfortable working

on boats in rough weather. Lastly, because of the community living

situation both in Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Rock, applicants must get

along well with others and be able to handle working in a team setting.

To apply: Please send a cover letter detailing your reasons for applying, a

resume, and two letters of recommendation via email to

AlliedWhale.Internships@gmail.com. Recommendation letters may either be

sent with the application or directly from the references.

Please specify which position you are interested in (summer or full-season).

Deadline of application is February 24th.

Allied Whale and the College of the Atlantic are committed to inclusive

excellence. We strive toward an open and diverse community that fosters the

inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We

encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized

or underrepresented in higher education. More information about the

college’s commitment and strategic plan for diversity, equity, and

inclusion can be found here:

https://www.coa.edu/about/dei/