Job Description: One undergraduate position is available for fieldwork in biogeography and range limits of an endemic forest herb (Phacelia fimbriata), conducted mostly in North Carolina and Tennessee. Work will entail hiking and camping in national parks and forests. Tasks include planting five large common gardens in locations throughout the Appalachian Mountains, recording plant trait data such as plant height and fruit number; seed collection and pollinator observations will also be conducted. The field assistant will work with a graduate student supervisor to complete the work.
Qualifications: Coursework in plant biology and/or ecology is required; experience conducting fieldwork is desired but not required. Applicants should be able to handle strenuous hiking and should be interested in learning about plant ecology and/or plant identification. Candidates should be prepared to hike and camp in rough conditions (long hours, rain, steep and rocky terrain, stinging nettles). Some knowledge of eastern flora is a plus. Duration: early May through June 2014, with some flexibility for school term schedules, etc. Salary & Accommodations: Transportation and lodging provided, as well as a small stipend for food. Application Details: Please send the following to Stephanie Erlandson (email address: erlan045(at)umn.edu). 1) a brief (1-2 paragraph) statement describing your interest in this position and 2) a brief statement addressing how you fulfill the requirements, including your educational background and work experience. Deadline: Applications must be received by March 4th. Please contact Stephanie Erlandson at erlan045(at)umn.edu with questions.
