- Agency
- Archbold Biological Station
- Location
- Venus, FL
- Job Category
- Internships
- Salary
- Weekly stipend of $245 and paid holidays. Free onsite lodging (shared housing, no pets).
- Start Date
- 05/22/2023
- Last Date to Apply
- 03/30/2023
- Website
- https://www.archbold-station.org/
- Description
- Archbold Biological Station is seeking a Herpetology & Restoration Ecology Intern to support multiple research and restoration projects on Archbold’s 20,000 acres of natural areas encompassing unique sandhill, scrub, and wetland communities. The successful candidate will contribute to a 56-year study of Gopher Tortoises while supporting habitat restoration efforts benefiting tortoises and other rare species endemic to Florida’s Lake Wales Ridge. The intern will be supervised by Dr. Betsie Rothermel, Archbold Herpetology & Restoration Ecology Program Director, and will be part of a lab group of 4-5 scientists in varying career stages. The duration of the internship is approximately 8 months, with a desired start in mid-May 2023. Varied duties will include (50% of time): • Capturing, measuring, and tracking Gopher Tortoises • Surveying, mapping, and scoping tortoise burrows • Managing and performing QAQC on tortoise capture and tracking data • Assisting with habitat restoration efforts, such as mapping and removal of invasive plants and occasional prescribed fires • Assisting with biweekly hydrological monitoring of wetlands • Assisting with public outreach and environmental education, including leading activities for summer camp Independent project (remaining 50% of time): With input and guidance from the project PI, design and conduct an original research project related to some aspect of our program’s core research themes: 1) long-term demography and behavioral ecology of Gopher Tortoises, 2) amphibian ecology and seasonal wetland community dynamics, and 3) wetland and upland restoration approaches and outcomes. Benefits to an Archbold post-baccalaureate internship: • Close interaction with Principal Investigator and Research Assistants who will provide mentoring and professional development • Development of critical skills that will strengthen your future graduate school or job applications, including building proficiency in data management, experimental design, field research, and science communication • Cross-disciplinary learning opportunities through formal orientation sessions and research seminars, as well as informal interactions with researchers and interns in other programs, i.e., Avian Ecology, Plant Ecology, Predator-Prey, Agro-ecology, and Education. • Opportunity to live and work at a world-renowned field station embedded in the Florida scrub ecosystem, a North American biodiversity hotspot • Proximity to other Florida ecosystems and natural areas to explore during your free time
- Qualifications
- • B.S. degree with at least 6 months of relevant experience • Field research experience, preferably with reptiles • Meticulous attention to data collection and management protocols • Capable of doing physically demanding work in the hot, humid subtropical climate of southern Florida • Applicants must have U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. Ideal candidates will have strong grades, excellent references, and meet at least two of these additional qualifications: independent research experience; coursework in vertebrate ecology; coursework or other experience with statistics; and/or basic GIS skills. To apply, email the following (preferably as one attachment in PDF format) to Dr. Betsie Rothermel (brothermel@archbold-station.org), including ‘Intern position’ in subject line: 1) Cover letter describing your qualifications and indicating your availability 2) Current resumé or CV, including GPA and a list of relevant coursework 3) Contact information for three references
- Contact Person
- Dr. Betsie Rothermel
- Contact eMail
- brothermel@archbold-station.org
