Summer Research Positions for Undergraduates and Recent College Graduates
Institute of Arctic Biology
University of Alaska, Fairbanks
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, 14 March 2005
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Syndonia Bret-Harte
E-mail: ffmsb [at] uaf.edu
The Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks is
seeking enthusiastic undergraduates and recent college graduates who are
interested in summer field research in Alaska. The overall objective of
the research program is to understand the ecosystem and global
consequences of potential future changes in arctic vegetation.
Successful applicants will be expected to assist with fieldwork in a
tussock tundra site and laboratory work consisting of tasks such as
plant sorting and data entry. In addition, successful applicants will
attend weekly seminars on the research at the station, will develop
their own small, individual research projects on a topic related to the
program and their own interests, and will present their work at an
informal poster session at Toolik Field Station. The experiment is
focused on how plant species affect community structure, diversity, and
ecosystem cycling of carbon and nitrogen in Alaskan tussock tundra. For
6 years, researchers have removed key species and groups of plant
species in a factorial design with nutrient addition, as past
experiments have shown that fertilization leads to dramatic changes in
community structure and ecosystem productivity. This year, researchers
will measure individual plant growth performance and seedling
establishment, to complement measurements of plant productivity and
ecosystem CO2 flux made recently.
Successful applicants will be based at Toolik Field Station, north of
the Brooks Range in arctic Alaska (http://www.uaf.edu/toolik/), which is
a focus site for research by nearly 100 scientists who work on a variety
of terrestrial and aquatic ecology projects.
There are 2 positions, each of which pays a stipend of $379 USD per week
(before taxes). These positions are open only to U.S. citizens who are
undergraduates or who have graduated since December 2004. The positions
start in early June and will end in late August. Travel from your
university to and from the field site will be covered. Class background
in plant ecology, botany, ecosystem ecology, statistics, and computer
science would be an advantage. Experience in field or laboratory,
experience with data analysis, and experience working in a remote field
site is preferred. Candidates should have skills with plant
identification, data collecting and recording, data manipulation in
Excel, and data analysis. Applicants must be willing to work long hours
in the field, occasionally under adverse weather conditions. Competent,
careful, emotionally mature, and enthusiastic people desired! The work
is intended to be both fun and challenging. Applications from women and
minorities are encouraged. A valid U.S. Driver's license is required,
and successful applicants must provide a copy of his/her social security
card at the time of employment.
To apply, send an e-mail containing:
1) a cover letter, and
2) a c.v. or resume with the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses
of three references to Ms. Chandra Clack at fnclc2 [at] uaf.edu, with copies
to Dr. Syndonia Bret-Harte at ffmsb [at] uaf.edu. In the subject line of your
email to Chandra Clack, please state "for Bret-Harte Job05-68".
To complete your application, you MUST also
3) print, fill out, and sign a completed UA Applicant form (may be
downloaded from http://www.alaska.edu/hr/forms/hr_employmentforms.xml)
and mail it to:
Institute of Arctic Biology
ATTN: CHANDRA CLACK (Bret-Harte Job05-68)
P.O Box 757000
Irving I Building, Room 309 West Ridge
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000
Fax: 907-474-7661
Phone: 907-474-2781
Your cover letter should explain why you are interested in this program
and how it fits into your long-term education and career goals. Also,
describe anything that you think would convince the selection committee
that you are the most appropriate person for these research positions.
For a full job description, see:
http://www.uaf.edu/uafhr/Employment/Job0305-070.html
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, 14 March 2005
For more information, contact:
Dr. Syndonia Bret-Harte
E-mail: ffmsb [at] uaf.edu