*Tropical Forest Ecology Internship -- **Guam **& the Northern Mariana
Islands***
*Description of project:*The Ecology of Bird Loss project examines the
effect of bird loss on forest systems by comparing forests on Guam,
where forest birds are functionally extinct due to predation by the
invasive brown treesnake, to forests on two Northern Mariana Islands
(Saipan and Rota) where native bird populations are still present. The
intern will assist with research on the effect of seed disperser loss on
forest community structure and regeneration in treefall gaps. Our
general approach integrates landscape scale observations with
manipulative experiments. See the project website at
www.ecologyofbirdloss.org <http://www.ecologyofbirdloss.org>for more
details about research in this system.
*Duties of the interns:*The intern will travel betweenthree islandsto
set up and maintain experiments. The intern will work independently and
as part of a small team.Specific duties may include: mapping and
identifying trees (including seedlings), collecting seeds, propagating
plants in a nursery, planting and monitoring seedlings, and entering
data. While the premise of this project is based on birds, the research
is focused on plants- there will be little to no work with birds. Field
crews work 8-10 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. Interns must be able to
commit to working on the project from late March to late December.
*Requirements:*The successful applicant must be able to pay attention to
detail, work well individually and as part of a group, and be flexible
(i.e. willing to move to another island at a moment's notice and stay
for multiple months). Research in the Mariana Islands involves working
in high heat and humidity, walking over rough terrain sometimes carrying
heavy and awkward loads (i.e. rolls of chicken wire, flats of seedlings,
water), and tolerating the tedious, and at times monotonous, work
necessary for all scientific endeavors. Successful applicants must learn
how to identify trees (including seedlings) quickly and accurately. If a
candidate is allergic to bees, he/she must carry a bee sting kit and be
trained in its use, as the chances of getting stung are high. Relevant
field experience and independent research experience is desired, but not
required. The intern must be a US citizen with a valid US driver's license.
*Payment and benefits: *Interns will receive valuable research
experience in the field of conservation biology and field ecology -- a
great way to both determine whether graduate school in the life sciences
is for you and to gain the necessary experience for a competitive
application to graduate school. Successful applicants will also receive
a round-trip ticket from any major airport in the US toGuam, housing on
all islands, transportation to and from field sites, and a monthly
stipend of $550.
*To apply:*Candidates should email a /single pdf/ containing a cover
letter, resume, and contact information for three references to
Elizabeth Wandrag ([email protected]). Applications must be received by
midnight EST on January 16th, 2014. Please contact Elizabeth via email
if you have any questions related to the internship.
