The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (formerly Cedar Creek Natural History Area) of the University of Minnesota has opportunities for students to work as Research Interns in two types of positions; 1) Plant community ecology and 2) Wildlife biology. Most positions run from June through August, but some interns are needed as early as March and some are needed through December. Your educational institution may be able to approve this internship, with an appropriate independent project, for any field biology requirement of your major. Typical work days are eight hours Monday through Friday, however some projects require weekend and evening work. If you are an undergraduate or a newly graduated student with a background or interest in biology, ecology, environmental science, botany, environmental education, wildlife biology, or related field we encourage you to apply. Below are brief descriptions of the two types of positions available:
We have three large scale projects that require most of our intern resources throughout the summer. 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, and altered precipitation patterns. 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. There are multiple experiments nested within the Big Biodiversity experiment as well, looking at factors such as irrigation and increased temperatures. The third large scale experiment we will be surveying this year involves Oak Savannas. This study examines the effects of long-term prescribed burning treatments on vegetation structure and composition, productivity, and nutrient cycling in upland oak savanna and woodland vegetation. Throughout the summer we maintain and sample these experiments. For more information and to apply click here.
The starting date will be mid-March to mid-May. The research will be looking at how harvesting resorted prairies for biofuel affects wildlife. The work will include wildlife surveys encompassing birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Bird survey duties will include identifying birds by sight and sound. Small mammal survey duties include operating Sherman live traps and species identification. Insect survey duties will include methods such as sweep netting and pitfall traps. Additional surveys will require plant identification skills. Duties may go beyond what is listed. The applicant must have a flexible schedule and be willing to work odd hours including weekends and holidays. The position will entail extensive travel throughout the western Minnesota prairie region and requires a valid driver's license. For more information and to apply click here.
The deadline for application submission is March 1st, 2010. You can apply to multiple internships but you must apply for each one separately. If you can start earlier than April 1st we encourage you to complete the application process earlier.
