B4Warmed Overview: Northern Minnesota is a focal point of potential climate warming impacts because it sits at the transition between boreal and temperate forest biomes. B4WARMED (Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger) is a unique manipulative experiment that warms plants and soil in the field to examine tree seedling and germinant response to warming with respect to physiology, phenology, growth, and survival. For more information: http://forestecology.cfans.umn.edu/Research/B4WARMED/.
Position overview: We seek undergraduate or newly graduated students with a background or interest in ecology, environmental science, forestry, or a related field for paid field research internships ($10/hr). Interns are needed primarily from May through September. However, positions are also available starting in March through June and in September through November. Internships last 4 months after the start date. Typical work days are eight hours Monday through Friday, however some tasks require early morning, evening, or weekend work. A valid drivers license is required. Personal vehicles are helpful but not required. Responsibilities:  Work independently to collect biotic and abiotic data in field and laboratory settings in accordance with established protocols  Measure plant growth, physiology, and phenology  Routine maintenance of field sites, field instruments, and research equipment.  Assist with planting or harvesting of studied trees  Data entry  Aiding principle investigators and graduate students as needed. Desired qualifications: 1) Eagerness to work hard in an outdoor setting. 2) Capacity to collect data following established protocols. 3) Familiarity with plant and tree species of northern Minnesota. 4) Willingness to work well and live with others in a remote area. 5) Demonstrated ability to work under changing weather conditions and with large swarms of insects. 6) Ability to adapt to a frequently changing schedule with frequent travel. Research sites: Field work will be split between research sites at the Cloquet Forestry Center in Cloquet, MN (http://cfc.cfans.umn.edu/) and the Hubachek Wilderness Research Center near Ely, MN. Both research sites are in beautiful forested settings and provide access to the natural areas of northern Minnesota including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Travel between sites is required and will vary by projects and time of the season. An individuals home base may be at either of these locations and will be determined by the project managers. On-site housing with cooking facilities is available for a small fee. Contact: Please send cover letter (including available working dates), one-page resume, and email contact information for two references electronically to: Karen Rice [email protected] University of Minnesota
