Plant Community Ecology Internship

The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve of the University of Minnesota has opportunities for students and recent graduates to work as plant community ecology interns. These positions can start as early as mid-July and will run through the end of September. Some positions may run as late as October. Starting pay is $12.00 per hour depending on the position. As a research intern, you will contribute to ongoing field experiments and interact with professors, post-docs, and graduate students. If you are an undergraduate or a newly graduated student with a background or interest in biology, ecology, environmental science, botany, soil science, or related field we encourage you to apply.

Cedar Creek research examines ecological processes occurring at the individual physiological level to the ecosystem level in response to (1) a variety of climate change scenarios including elevated CO2, increased temperature, increased nitrogen deposition, and altered precipitation patterns; (2) land management practices including prescribed burning and agricultural production; and (3) varied land use histories. Research is headed by a number of faculty from research institutions across the United States. Programs are funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and other sources.

The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve itself is a nine square mile tract of land 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. To learn more detailed information about experiments, researchers, and the Cedar Creek area please visit our website at www.cedarcreek.umn.edu.

Typical work days are eight hours Monday through Friday, however some projects require weekend, early morning, and evening work. Most of the work you do will be out in the field, though a few jobs have indoor laboratory or computer components.

*Please note we cannot offer any onsite lodging.