We seek a summer research assistant for a study of species range
expansion and community ecology in marsh and mangrove ecosystems along
the Atlantic coast of Florida. The assistant will be supervised by
graduate students associated with the University of Maryland and the
Smithsonian Institution, based primarily at the Smithsonian Marine
Station in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
The research broadly considers factors promoting and inhibiting species
range expansion, and how ecological communities respond to habitat
shifts that result from range expansion. In particular, most research
help will be required for a pair of studies focusing on mangroves and
marsh as resources for pollinators and crab communities. The assistant
will have opportunities to conduct an independent research project that
relates to plant-pollinator interactions, crab habitat selection, or a
similar topic.
Field work will be conducted in a mixture of terrestrial and aquatic
settings; work can be strenuous at times, and applicants should be
willing and able to work in hot, buggy conditions in and around water.
Previous experience with insects and/or crustaceans is preferred, but is
not required. Tasks will include monitoring insect floral visitors and
experimentally manipulating floral resources in the field, processing
and identifying insect specimens in the lab, collecting plankton samples
and traps, and identifying larval crabs using microscopes. Applicants
will gain experience with GPS navigation, water analyzers, dissecting
scopes, and data collection and management.
Position will be based in Ft. Pierce and St. Augustine, Florida. We will
help the assistant to procure local housing. The assistant ideally will
have a personal vehicle or local transportation of their own (it will
not be used for work). Compensation starts at $10/hour depending on
qualifications. Position would begin in mid- to late-May, ending in
August/September (specific dates are flexible).
Please send any queries or your application by email to Mayda Nathan
<[email protected]> and Cora Johnston <[email protected]> by April 1.
Applications should include a resume, contact information for two
references, and a cover letter that describes prior research experience,
relevant coursework, outdoor experience, and interests. Please include
your dates of availability within the window given above.
--
Daniel S. Gruner, Associate Professor
Department of Entomology
4112 Plant Sciences Bldg
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742 U.S.A.
(o) 301-405-3957 (f) 301-314-9290
[email protected]
http://grunerlab.umd.edu
https://twitter.com/GrunerDaniel
