The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve of the University of Minnesota has opportunities for summer research Internships and spring field technician positions.
The research internship areas are; 1) Plant community ecology, 2) Wildlife biology, and 3) Insect diversity. Most research 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, entomology, environmental science, botany, environmental education, wildlife biology, or related field we encourage you to apply. Below are brief descriptions of the three types of positions available.
The field technician position focus is prescribed burning. This position will run from the end of March to mid May. Hours are variable, especially on days we burn. There is the possibility of over time on weeks we burn a lot. If you are interested in prescribed burning and have or be willing to obtain a "red card" we encourage you to apply. Below is the description.
1) Plant Community Ecology: We have two large scale projects, along with several smaller scale experiments, 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, 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. There are multiple experiments nested within the Big Biodiversity experiment as well, looking at factors such as irrigation and increased temperatures. Throughout the summer we maintain and sample these experiments. For more information and to apply click here.
2) Wildlife Biology: The starting date will be early April to mid-May. The research will be looking at how harvesting restored 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.
3) Insect Diversity: This is part of a study of the tallgrass prairies of Minnesota that looks at how harvesting restored prairies for biofuel affects wildlife. The objective of this internship is to sort insect samples collected from different harvest treatments to reveal effects on diversity and abundance. Sweepnet, pitfall and quantitative samples were frozen after collection and now insects need to be separated from vegetation and identified. In addition, bee samples preserved in ethanol must be cleaned and pinned. This work will take place in the lab at Cedar Creek ESR and requires a lot of time in front of the microscope and ability to handle small objects. If you have good attention to detail and an interest in insects, you will find seeing the diversity, strange morphology and rare orders that we encounter to be fun and rewarding. Applicants preferably will have taken an entomology course or will be able to identify many common orders of insects and other arthropods. For more information and to apply click here.
Prescribed Burn Technician: Each spring Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve conducts a series of prescribed burns within its boundaries as part of its long-term research program and its land management program. Controlled burns are managed by Cedar Creek staff under the supervision of trained personnel with many years of collective prescribed burning experience. We manage about 900 acres of oak savanna, prairies, and research units with our burn program. We are currently looking for individuals to help us with our prescribed burns. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 17TH. For more information and to apply click here.
