Northeast U.S. Shelf Long-Term Ecological Research (NES-LTER) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)

Opportunity Type: Research Experience for Undergraduates

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and possibly also University of Rhode Island (URI) are seeking applicants for two possibly three undergraduate fellows in summer 2021 sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). These Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) will be offered through the WHOI Summer Student Fellowship Program, the Woods Hole Partnership Education Program, and possibly the Environmental Data Initiative (EDI) Data Management Training Fellowship Program. The successful applicants will join a team of scientists studying the food web of the Northeast U.S. Shelf (NES) as part of Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) (https://nes-lter.whoi.edu/). Please see details for the programs below. For 2021, the SSF and PEP programs are hoping for in-person although the format will be determined by safety and health regulations due to COVID-19; remote or hybrid programs will be offered, if needed. The EDI fellow will have the opportunity to work remotely, although in-person training at the host site can be considered if circumstances allow.

Presentation highlighting NES-LTER undergraduate research: https://youtu.be/rYew4cPDL-E

Photos of previous NES-LTER REUs: 2020, 2019, 2018

WHOI Summer Student Fellowship Program (SSF):

Brief program description

A research project is at the heart of the Summer Student Fellowship (SSF) program. All Fellows work on a project selected in collaboration with their sponsor(s) that will provide meaningful results in one summer’s work. In 2021 NES-LTER seeks a SSF student in the fields of biology, engineering, mathematics, and physics. Potential advisors for these fellowships have the NES-LTER project linked to descriptions of their research interests at: https://www.whoi.edu/what-we-do/educate/undergraduate-programs/summer-student-fellowship/2021-potential-projects/.

Criteria for eligibility

SSFs are awarded to undergraduate students who are completing their junior year at colleges or universities. Students who will graduate before the fellowship begins are not eligible to apply. For NSF-sponsored REUs, students must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Please see more details about eligibility at http://www.whoi.edu/main/ssf/program-overview.

Dates of program

Start and end dates are flexible, however students should arrive between the end of May to mid-June, depending on their availability and that of their advisor. Program duration is a minimum of 10 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks.

Housing, Stipend, and Travel Allowance: please see http://www.whoi.edu/main/ssf/program-overview

Application form and contact

Apply online: https://www.whoi.edu/what-we-do/educate/undergraduate-programs/summer-student-fellowship/ssf-admissions/

Contact person: Kama Thieler (kthieler@whoi.edu) (or education@whoi.edu)

Please indicate in your application that you are interested in NES-LTER.

Deadline

SSF deadline February 5, 2021

Woods Hole Partnership Education Program (PEP):

Brief program description

The Woods Hole Partnership Education Program (PEP) is an undergraduate summer science internship program aimed at increasing diversity in the Woods Hole and greater science community: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/undergraduate-internship-program-brings-diverse-talent-woods-hole. The program combines course work with directed independent research. The summer interns will spend 4 weeks in a summer course that surveys global climate change. Students receive credits through the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; credits may be transferred, with approval, to their home institution. During the course the students will be able to start their research projects which will be the focus of their work during the remaining 6 weeks of the summer program under the direction of a research scientist. In 2021 NES-LTER seeks PEP students in the fields of biology, engineering, mathematics, and physics. To read about the 2020 PEP, see this article: Price et al. (2020) https://doi.org/10.1002/lob.10414.

Criteria for eligibility

PEP is designed primarily for college students who are rising junior and seniors. PEP sometimes makes offers to graduating (or recently graduated) seniors. For NSF-sponsored REUs, students must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States.

Dates of program

The 2021 program will run May 29 to August 7 (10 weeks).

Housing, Stipend, and Travel Allowance: In 2021, an in-person PEP program will cover each student’s tuition and room and board, and provide a travel allowance and a $5,000 stipend. If the program is virtual, the stipend and tuition will be covered.

Application form and contact

Apply online: https://www.woodsholediversity.org/pep/2021-program/

Contact person: Kwanza Johnson, Academic Programs Coordinator kwanza.johnson@noaa.gov

Please indicate in your application that you are interested in NES-LTER.

Deadline

PEP deadline February 13, 2021

Environmental Data Initiative (EDI) Data Management Training Fellowship Program:

Brief program description

For information on EDI’s summer fellowship program please visit their website: https://environmentaldatainitiative.org/summer-fellowship-program/

NES-LTER has applied to host an EDI Data Fellow in 2021 with mentor Dr. Pierre Marrec in Dr. Susanne Menden-Deuer’s lab group at the University of Rhode Island, and co-mentored by the NES-LTER Information Manager. Details for this opportunity will be posted here if NES-LTER is selected.

Criteria for eligibility

Undergraduate, graduate and recent postgraduate students are considered who are at least 18 years of age by the program start date, must be currently enrolled or employed at a U.S. university or other research institution and must currently reside in, and be eligible to work in, the United States.

Dates of program

mid-June to mid August 2021

Housing, Stipend, and Travel Allowance: Each fellow will receive a stipend of $5000 which will be administered through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to support travel to and from as well as lodging at the host sites.