Undergrad Research Opportunities 04/10/2018

April 13, 2018 by wpeeb

Plant Community Ecology REU in Alpine Tundra – Review of applicants will begin April 15th

The Spasojevic Ecology Lab at the University of California Riverside is recruiting one undergraduate to participate in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) this summer at the Niwot Ridge Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site near Boulder Colorado. The successful applicant will contribute to ongoing NSF-funded research investigating the role of early snowmelt on plant biodiversity patterns in alpine tundra and develop an independent project on a topic of their choosing within the field of plant community ecology. Please see the Spasojevic Lab website

(www.traitecology.com) for the types of projects that we work on.

Benefits

Stipend is $5,250 for 10-week session, meals provided in a dining hall and a partial food stipend ($30/per day) for the 18 days that the dining hall is closed, housing in a rustic cabin, travel to the program (one round trip, up to $500).

Qualifications

Students must be currently enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year school.

Students graduating before September 2018 will not be eligible.

Participants must be US Citizens, US Nationals, or permanent residents.

We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups in the sciences, first-generation college students, students that attend colleges with limited research opportunities (small liberal arts and community colleges), financially disadvantaged students, students with physical disabilities, and US military veterans.

Application

Please send a cover letter, C.V. or resume, and contact information for two references to markos@ucr.edu. Review of applicants will begin April 15th.

Important Note: Applicants must be in adequate physical condition to live at the Mountain Research Station’s elevation (9,500 feet) and to participate in activities at and above this elevation. For nearly all students, there are no difficulties beyond needing a few days of acclimation. If you have a history of heart or lung problems or have other physical conditions which might limit your ability to participate, please consult with your physician before applying.

Please see (http://mspaso.wixsite.com/traitecology/join-the-lab) for details

 

REU positions in forest invasion ecology – Applications will be accepted until April 20, 2018

The Fei lab at Purdue University is accepting applications for 1-2 Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) positions. The undergraduate student(s) will be based in West Lafayette and would work on projects for the NSF MSB-FRA Award # EF-1638702, Modeling Invasion Dynamics Across Scales (MIDAS) in collaboration with members of the Fei lab. Two specific areas of research interest are available, including (1) investigating associations between forest understory invasion patterns and forest tree mycorrhizal types, and (2) determining the influences of forest canopy phenology and structure on plant invasion.

The students will primarily be responsible for assisting with tasks related to expanding the current project. In particular, students will be expected (1) to collect species trait and/or remote sensing data, and (2) to assist in analyzing data and producing papers. Preferred qualifications include (but are not required): quantitative and computational skills, and experience with working with GIS and remote sensing data.

This is a 12-week position during the summer term starting during the 2nd or 3rd week in May of 2018 and a successful applicant will be expected to work 40 hours per week. Compensation is $6,000 over the course of 12 weeks. A successful applicant is expected to secure their own lodging, meals, and transportation. Students from underrepresented groups and from institutions with limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply.

To apply: Interested applicants should send a statement of interest, resume, unofficial transcript, and one letter of recommendation. The statement of interest should be less than 500 words and include the following information: (i) professional goals, (ii) interest in position, and (iii) relevant experience. Send application materials in one PDF file to Dr. Insu Jo (jo23@purdue.edu) and Dr. Elizabeth LaRue (elarue@purdue.edu). The letter of recommendation should be e-mailed directly from the recommender with the applicant’s name in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until April 20, 2018.

 

Research Experience for Undergraduates Opportunity in Landscape Planning and Management – Applications due by April 23, 2018.

Are you an undergraduate student interested in conservation, landscapes, and urban sustainability? Professor Kelli Larson at Arizona State University is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated undergraduate student to participate in research during the summer of 2018. The participant will work with faculty as well as graduate and undergraduate students to explore how people manage their yards and what types of landscapes cities are pursuing for water conservation, biodiversity, and other purposes. The student will work with team members to conduct research on current landscape design trends across cities of the U.S.

The position is located in Metro Phoenix, Arizona, and situated in the northern Sonoran Desert, which is home to the iconic saguaro cactus and charismatic desert animals. ASU is located in Tempe, a lively and vibrant college town with accessible public transportation and amenities.

This REU is a 10-week position that runs from mid-May to mid-August, 2018.

The successful applicant will be awarded a $5,000 stipend, and up to

$3,000 for room and board. Additionally, funding is available for the REU student to prepare and present a poster at the January 2019 CAP LTER All Scientists Meeting in Tempe, AZ.

About the Project

As part of a NSF-funded Macrosystems grant, Larson’s research group is exploring residential landscapes and how they are designed and managed across diverse cities including Phoenix, AZ, Los Angeles, CA, and Miami, FL. Documenting landscaping trends in residential areas is critical for enhancing the environmental and social value of these common urban ecosystems.

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate must:

• Be pursuing a degree in geography, planning, sustainability, landscape design/architecture, or a related field.
• Have an interest in environmental research.
• Be able to work in Microsoft programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Have solid written and verbal communication skills.
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team.

Desired Qualifications

• Interest in developing this research into an Honors thesis and/or for publication.
• Experience in conducting social science research.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-

time) leading to a Bachelor’s degree. The funding also requires the student to be must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident of the U.S.

How to apply

Please send cover letter, resume or CV, and unofficial transcripts to Kelli.Larson@asu.edu by April 23, 2018.

 

REU at University of California Santa Barbara

A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer fellowship is open for one student at the Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara. Duration is 10-12 weeks, June-Aug, with dates somewhat flexible to accommodate academic schedules. We invite applications from qualified, highly motivated undergraduate students from U.S.

colleges/universities to participate in a lab and field-based summer research experience. U.S. citizenship is required. The student will be involved with an NSF-funded project on kelp forests and the role of kelp in sandy beach food webs. The main objective of the project is evaluate how variation in kelp wrack input affects patterns and processes in beach ecosystems and to develop a quantitative understanding of trophic connectivity through physical transport and input of drift kelp from kelp forests to sandy beaches. The student will learn ecological and/or physical oceanographic methods to explore this or a related topic, and will be required to write a report, in the format of a scientific paper, and give a presentation on their project at the end of the summer. Travel costs to and from UCSB will be covered, and the student will be provided with a weekly stipend for living expenses. This is a full-time commitment and any work or educational activities outside the program must be approved.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you are an undergraduate student who has completed at least two years of study towards a bachelor’s degree in a related topic (including biology, ecology, or physics),

and you will still be an undergraduate in the fall after the summer program. Students from underrepresented groups and institutions with limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply. Experience with scientific diving is desirable but not required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and its possessions. The University of California is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

Application

Interested applicants should send a statement of interest, resume, unofficial transcript, one letter of recommendation, and contact information for one additional reference. The statement of interest should be less than 500 words and include the following information: (i) professional goals, (ii) interest in the position, and (iii) relevant experience. Send application materials, preferably in one PDF file, to Robert Miller (miller@msi.ucsb.edu). Please include your name and REU application in file names and subject line. You may also send all application materials in hard copy by non-electronic mail service to: Robert Miller, Marine Science Institute, UCSB, Santa Barbara CA 93601-6150. The letter of recommendation should be sent directly from the recommender (please include the applicant’s name in the subject line for emails). Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be accepted through April 27, 2018.

 

Santa Barbara Coastal LTER REU

Keywords: Biogeochemistry, Organic Matter, Nitrogen, Sediment, Kelp, Santa Barbara

A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer fellowship is available for one student in partnership with the Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Duration is 12 weeks, June 18-Sept 7, although these dates are flexible, and the student will be compensated $1,500/month.

We invite applications from qualified, highly motivated undergraduate students from U.S. colleges/universities to participate in a 12-week lab and field-based summer research experience. The student will be involved with an NSF-funded project on the cycling of terrestrially and marine-derived organic matter in kelp forests and nearby marine sediments. The main objective of this project is to evaluate how the input of various kinds of organic matter affects nitrogen and carbon cycling in kelp forest ecosystems and surrounding regions and to develop a quantitative understanding of the potential supply of nutrients provided by these organic matter inputs. Applicants should possess a strong analytical chemistry background, an interest in fieldwork, and the desire to conduct an independent project.

There are several potential avenues of research that the REU may pursue, and the final project will be decided upon following a literature review and discussion with their supervisor. The REU will be responsible for conducting an independent project and completing a written report at the end of the summer. They will also have the opportunity to learn R software, participate in fieldwork in the Santa Barbara Channel, collaborate with other undergraduate students, and receive training for several biogeochemical protocols and appropriate instruments.

Eligibility: You are eligible if you are an undergraduate student who has completed at least two years of study towards a bachelor’s degree in a related topic (including but not limited to environmental studies, chemistry, biology, ecology, or physics), and if you will still be an undergraduate in the fall term following the summer fellowship. Students from underrepresented groups and from institutions with limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The University of California is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

Application Materials: Interested applicants should send a personal statement, CV, unofficial transcript, one letter of recommendation, and contact information for one additional reference. The statement should be no more than a page in length and should include the following information: (i) professional goals, (ii) interest in the position, and

(iii) relevant experience. Send application materials as a single PDF, to Heili Lowman (heili.lowman@lifesci.ucsb.edu). Please include your name and REU application in file names and the e-mail subject line. The letter of recommendation should be sent directly from the recommender. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be accepted through May 10, 2018.