*Salary:* $2,500 with lodging provided free-of-charge. Funding is available to defray travel costs.
*Study goals:* To understand the impact of recently reintroduced Bison on plant-pollinator networks in one of the largest and most important remnant tallgrass prairies in the USA. *Primary duties:* Collecting native bees via hand-netting in beautiful tallgrass prairie. Field identification of flowering forbs and shrubs. Collecting and storing bee specimens in a well-organized, meticulously labeled manner. *Living arrangements**: * Several houses are located on the preserve to house seasonal field crews, researchers, and volunteers. All houses are equipped with a fully-furnished kitchen. The technician will have a private bedroom but the bathrooms are shared. *Essential qualifications: * Experience in at least one of (a) netting and collecting native bees or (b) field identification of forbs in temperate North America. Ability to work outdoors with focus and attention to detail, including during hot afternoons. Ability to live and work independently with minimal supervision after initial training. Comfort working alone while sharing the prairie with wild Bison. A valid US drivers' license. Start date between 28 and 30 June is non-negotiable. The technician must arrange their own transportation to and from the Nachusa Grasslands or the Chicago area. *About the Nachusa Grasslands:* The Nachusa Grasslands <https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/illinois/placesweprotect/nachusa-grasslands.xml>, near Franklin Grove in north-central Illinois, is a 4000-acre tallgrass prairie complex, including remnant virgin prairie, restored prairie on former farm fields, and woodlands. In 2014, Bison were reintroduced to the grasslands and are thriving--the only wild herd of bison east of the Mississippi River! The site is also exceptional for its scenic beauty and prairie biodiversity, including a variety of threatened plants, birds, and turtles. *Contact:* Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar, bethanne...@gmail.com Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar Ph.D. Candidate Teaching Assistant Rutgers University - New Brunswick (443) 433-8262 bbruningasocolar.wordpress.com winfreelab.com
