SUMMER REU OPPORTUNITY IN FOREST ECOLOGY: WHITE MOUNTAINS, NH Undergraduates seeking research experience in forest ecology are invited to apply for a 10-week REU position at Bartlett, Jeffers Brook, and Hubbard Brook Experimental Forests, New Hampshire.
About the Project: Multiple Element Limitation in Northern Hardwood Ecosystems (MELNHE) is an NSF funded collaboration between researchers at the State University of New York (SUNY ESF), Cornell University, Miami University, The University of Michigan, and The Marine Biological Laboratory. The MELNHE project seeks to examine the limits to forest productivity through the lens of resource optimization theory. This is being done through replicated, large-scale nutrient additions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium in stands of different ages at three sites. Treatment results will be used to help develop the Multi-Element Limitation (MEL) model. More information on the project is available at http://www.esf.edu/melnhe, including a blog from previous field crews. REU Description: Interns will gain experience in the field with tree and understory inventory, fertilizer application, soil respiration measurements (LiCor LI-8100), collection and abundance of snails, measurement of sap flow in hardwood trees, soil sampling, and leaf litter collection. Laboratory duties include weighing leaves, sorting leaf litter by species, and entering and managing data. Interns are encouraged to design their own summer projects, and will have access to previously collected data. Interns have the opportunity to present their work to a group of leading ecosystem scientists at the annual Hubbard Brook CooperatorÂ’s Meeting in July. Interns are provided with shared housing at Bartlett Experimental Forest; tenting is optional. Typical weekdays begin at 8:00 AM and end at 4:30, although may be shorter or longer depending upon the task. A stipend of approximately $5000 will be provided. Food is prepared communally by the interns and graduate student researchers, and costs generally run between $5-6 per day. The position is expected to run from approximately June 2 - August 8, 2014. Desired Qualifications: The ideal applicants have strong interests in forest biology, ecology, or biogeochemistry, and be pursuing an undergraduate degree in a related field. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program and continuing an undergraduate degree in the fall. A positive attitude and willingness to work with others is required and a sense of humor is a plus. Candidates should be able to perform repetitive tasks with attention to detail under harsh conditions (heat, rain, biting insects). They should also be willing to perform repetitive tasks in the lab. Applicants should be flexible in their expectations, but an estimated breakdown of the summer is: 60% Fieldwork, 25% Labwork, 15% Independent Project. To Apply: Please send a letter of interest specifying why you are eligible for the position, resume, and contact information for three references as one document to Adam Wild, SUNY ESF, <[email protected]>. Please include all work experience even if it does not pertain to science. Please indicate dates of availability in the cover letter.
