The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve of the University of Minnesota has opportunities for students to work as plant community ecology interns, research field supervisors, ornithology technicians, and prescribed burn technicians. Many positions run from June through August, but some technicians will be needed as early as March and some are needed through October. As a research intern or technician, you will contribute to ongoing field experiments, have the opportunity to initiate individual research, attend scientific seminars, and interact with professors, post-docs, and graduate students. If you are an undergraduate or a newly graduated student with a background or interest in biology, ecology, environmental science, botany, environmental education, ornithology, or related field we encourage you to apply.
We have three 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.
Scientist Tali Lee takes measurements of plant response to CO2 with student intern Ann Karpinski.
Credit: BioCON Experiment/NSF Cedar Creek LTER Site.
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, 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 summer we maintain and sample these experiments. We also have a couple of technician positions that will involve studying woodpecker behavior, habitat use, and nesting success throughout the spring and summer season at Cedar Creek.
The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve itself is a nine square mile tract of land 35 miles north of the Twin Cities. Because of its fortunate location in mid-continent at the triple meeting point of three great biomes of North America, it carries much of the continent’s biological heritage. 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 learn more detailed information about experiments, researchers, and the Cedar Creek area please visit our website at www.cedarcreek.umn.edu.
To apply for any of the above intern positions please visit our website,
http://z.umn.edu/ccjobs. The deadline for application submission is
February 19th or 26th (depending on position). For any questions
regarding the internships or application please email ccintern@umn.edu.
