Research Interns in Minnesota

The Cedar Creek Natural History Area of the University of Minnesota has
opportunities for students to work as Research Interns. Most positions run
from June through August, but some interns are needed as early as April
and some until October. Pay is $10.00 per hour. If you are an
undergraduate or a newly graduated student with a background in biology,
ecology, environmental sience, or related field and want to start a career
in one of these fields, or if you have a strong background and interest in
flora of the Great Plains, we encourage you to apply.

Much of our current work examines the ecology of our changing planet.
Around the globe, humans are inducing extinctions, changing the
atmosphere, increasing nutrients, transporting invasive species, altering
fire frequency-all of which may alter the stability and functioning of
ecosystems worldwide. At Cedar Creek we try to understand such impacts on
ecosystems through long-term experiments and observations. In our most
technologically advanced experiment, we increase nitrogen and carbon
dioxide over part of a field to understand the effect on plant communities
of different diversities and compositions. In our largest experiment (20
acres), we examine the effect of biodiversity on nutrient retention,
productivity, invasion, pathogens, and other ecological properties.
Numerous other projects study such topics as the effects of fire,
herbivory by insects, and microbial communities. Research is headed by
Drs. Mark Davis, Sarah Hobbie, Linda Kinkel, Jean Knops, Peter Reich,
David Tilman, and others. Programs are funded by the National Science
Foundation, the Department of Energy, the Andrew Mellon Foundation, and
other sources.

The Cedar Creek Natural History Area itself is a nine square mile
experimental ecological reserve 35 miles north of the Twin Cities. Because
of its fortunate location in mid-continent at the triple meeting point of
three great biomes of North America, it carries much of the continent's
biological heritage. Cedar Creek is endowed with a diverse mosaic of
prairie, savanna, sedge meadows, bogs, open water, forests, and even
abandoned agricultural fields. Its large size, great natural diversity,
and uniform soil substrate make it ideal for ecosystem studies, and also
makes it a nice place to work.

As a research intern, you would contribute to our ongoing experiments-
learning to identify plant species, estimate species abundances, collect
soil samples, maintain experimental areas, and so forth. Typical work days
are eight hours, with occasional weekends possible. On-site dormitory
housing is available for approximately $255 per month. This is hard work
and mostly outdoors, though a few jobs have indoor laboratory or computer
components. You have the opportunity to initiate your own research, attend
our seminar series, and interact with graduate students, postdoctoral
researchers, and faculty members. In addition, your department may be able
to approve this internship, with an appropriate independent project, for
any field biology requirement of your major.

To apply, please: (1) send a letter describing a) how this position would
help you achieve your career goals, b) your work experience, c) dates you
are available, d) minority status (optional), e) email address, f) where
you heard about this opportunity, (2) include a resume (maximum of two
pages), (3) send a copy of your transcript (unofficial), (4) have two
letters of recommendation sent. Applications are being accepted now, with
the deadlines for completed applications being March 9, 2007. You will
receive an email regarding your status when your application is complete.
Send all materials to:

Dr. Jeff Corney
Cedar Creek Natural History Area
2660 Fawn Lake Drive
East Bethel, MN 55005

Please direct inquiries to interns@cedarcreek.umn.edu or visit
www.cedarcreek.umn.edu.

You will be considered for this internship if (a) you are a US citizen or
(b) a foreign citizen attending a US college or university full-time.