Position description: Undergraduate, or recent graduate, Research Assistant will work on a project studying plant community ecology, climate change, and microbial symbionts in the Great Lakes dunes of Michigan. Research focuses on the effect of climate change driven alteration in the precipitation regime and how endophytes affect plant community interactions. Research Assistant may design and conduct an independent research project within the framework of succession, plant community ecology, climate change, and microbial symbionts. The Research Assistant will also learn experimental design, how to conduct field surveys, and plant identification. The project is funded through a grant from the National Park Service and most of the work will be conducted in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This position will allow a motivated person the opportunity to gain valuable field research experience.
Dates: May 2012 through August 2012 Location: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Leelanau County, MI Salary: ~$1800 per month Position Requirements: Current undergraduate or recent graduate majoring in biology, ecology, environmental studies, or a related field. Previous research experience in botany, mycology, or general field ecology helpful but not required. Access to a vehicle is required. Ability to work independently and with groups is required. The research site is remote and requires applicants to be in good enough physical condition to hike 4 miles a day with equipment. Housing in the Leland area is difficult to find so applicants living in the area are highly desired. Application procedures: (1) Cover letter, (2) Resume or CV, and (3) Names and contact information for two professional references should be sent via email to Lukas Bell-Dereske at University of New Mexico (ldere...@unm.edu). Applicants must sign a letter of intent to work for at least 3 months. -- Lukas P. Bell-Dereske PhD Student University of New Mexico Dept. of Biology Albuquerque, NM 87131
