B4WARMED (Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger) is a manipulative experiment that warms simultaneously plants and soil and implements summer rainfall reduction in the field. Main goals of the project is to examine broadly defined ecological processes in a scope of warming and rainfall reduction. In particular, our work focuses on: soil processes, tree seedlings physiology, phenology, growth, and survival and other. For more information: http://forestecology.cfans.umn.edu/Research/B4WARMED/.

Position overview:
We seek independent and mature field assistants with a background in biology, ecology, environmental science, forestry, or a related field for a paid field research internship ($10/hr). First round of open positions will start in late March/April; second round will start in midsummer and go until end of November. Start dates are flexible and up for negotiation. In general, an internship lasts about 4 months. Typical workdays are eight hours Monday through Friday; however, tasks may require early morning, evening, or weekend work. A valid driver’s license is required. The intern will work and travel mostly independently and occasionally in a pair or small group. Maturity to work autonomously and for long hours is required.

Responsibilities:
•       Work independently to collect biotic and abiotic data in field and lab settings in accordance with established protocols
•       Measure seedling growth, germination, physiology, and phenology
•       Measure soil characteristics and microbe activity
•       Routine maintenance of field sites and research equipment.
•       Data entry using Excel and Google Drive
•       Travel frequently between sites
•       Employ experimental rainfall reduction treatment
•       Aiding principle investigators and graduate students as needed.

Desired qualifications: 1) Eagerness to work hard in an outdoor setting. 2) Capacity to collect data following established protocols. 3) Familiarity with plant and tree species of northern Minnesota. 4) Willingness to work well and live alone and/or with others in a remote area. 5) Demonstrated ability to work under changing weather conditions and with large swarms of insects. 6) Ability to adapt to a frequently changing schedule with frequent travel.

Research sites:
Field work will be split between research sites at the Cloquet Forestry Center in Cloquet, MN (http://cfc.cfans.umn.edu/) and the Hubachek Wilderness Research Center (https://cfc.cfans.umn.edu/facilities/hubachek) near Ely, MN. Both research sites are in beautiful forested settings and provide access to the natural areas of northern Minnesota including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. An individual’s home base will be at either of these locations, though travel between sites will be required depending on project needs. University vehicles are used for such travel. On-site housing with furnishing and a kitchen will be available.

Contact:
Please send cover letter (including available working dates), one-page resume, and contact information for two references electronically to:

Artur Stefanski
stefa066@umn.edu
University of Minnesota
1530 Cleveland Ave N. | St Paul, MN 55108 USA

Highest priority will be given to applicants possible start date before April 1.