Student Opportunities
Jobs and Internships in Biology
Genetic hybridization of Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) populations
Tansy is a non-native invasive weed. Its flowers are bright yellow discs up to a half an inch in diameter. The flowers look somewhat like chrysanthemums that are missing their white petals. We are working on developing a genetic control method to manage weed populations. Since the plant is self-incompatible, we plan to cross diverse collections of tansy to identify compatible genotypes for future tissue culture/plant transformation experiments.
Objective:
To cross hybridize diverse tansy collections necessary to assess genotype compatibility and evaluate fertility.
Procedure and approximate time needed for handling:
- Planting and maintaining tansy plants in greenhouses and growth chambers, this management requires ~2 hours/day for 3 days/week for 3-4 months
- After flowering, physically crossing different combinations of genotypes, 2 times/week for several weeks (~2 hours/day and 3 days/week)
- Seed viability testing – seeds will be collected from crossed lines and tested for viability and fertilization efficiency (3 hours /day and 3 days a week).
Project duration: ~6 months (depending on research interest this could be expanded)
Expected outcomes: Hands on research at a USDA-ARS laboratory, co-authorship on applicable manuscripts, and scientific training and career development.
Requirements: 18+ years of age. The student will get basic technical trainings in the lab to perform the required tasks safely and on time.
Please contact Dr. Matthew Tancos at matthew.tancos@usda.gov for more information.
We are currently recruiting for a variety of positions in the WilsonLab to study the ecology of freshwater harmful algal blooms.
Current job openings
- Research Assistant Technician (~$33k-$58k/yr)-https://www.auemployment.com/postings/49829
- Postdoctoral Researcher (~$55k/yr; up to 4 yrs funding available) -https://www.auemployment.com/postings/45964
- Graduate Students (PhD $35k/yr and MS $30/yr) - https://www.wilsonlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/student_ad.pdf
For any questions about these opportunities, please contact Alan Wilson at wilson@auburn.edu
The University: Auburn University is an R1 land-grant institution organized into twelve academic colleges and schools and ranked 40th among public universities in the U.S. News and World 2021 Report. For 2020, 24,505 undergraduates as well as 6,232 graduate and professional students were enrolled. The University is nationally recognized for its academic excellence, commitments to community engagement, positive work environment, flourishing student life programs, and beautiful campus. To learn more about the University, please visit: http://www.auburn.edu/
The Community: Auburn is recognized as one of America’s best small towns with a moderate climate and easy access to major cities, beaches, and mountains. The city is situated along the rapidly developing I-85 Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, corridor. The combined Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Statistical Area boasts a growing population of over >60,000. The City of Auburn grew 43% in the past decade and is known for an excellent public school system and a local medical center acknowledged as among the best in the region. The City of Auburn website has information on the community and services that can be accessed at: https://www.auburnalabama.org/
Title: EHS, Administrative Coordinator I
Hours per Week: 10
Duration of Assignment: Ongoing
Location: Onsite, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD
Hourly Rate: $17.00
Position Specifics:
- Working under the direction of a safety officer, responsible for implementation of select site safety equipment inspections to include:
- Verification of proper operation of emergency lights.
- Verification of proper operation of exit lights.
- Verification of proper placement and status of fire extinguishers.
- Testing for proper operation of eye washes
- Work will include:
- Walking the NCI at Frederick campus, climbing and descending stairs as necessary to access the equipment
- Entering mechanical spaces to include attics and basements (no animal or laboratory spaces)
- Tasks:
- Schedule tests and inspections in electronic records system
- Inspect and test the equipment via physical inspection and hands on testing
- Document results of inspection/test in electronic records system
- Provide feedback and input on process improvements, reporting, and testing of new software features.
- Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Ability to walk in outdoor environments
- Ability to use stairs to access inspection and testing locations
- Familiarity with computer and tablet applications and ability to use
- Technical awareness of equipment to complete inspection and testing (e.g., fire extinguisher, exit lights, eye wash stations)
How to apply: Apply in the FNL Trainee Program. (Please specify that you are applying for the “EHS, Administrative Coordinator I” position under “Interest Areas.”)
Are you passionate about science and eager to be involved with research that can shape the future of our planet? The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is now accepting applications to join their 2025 team of summer interns!
Interns at SERC conduct independent projects on a wide range of topics, including some of the most profound issues challenging our world today, such as habitat loss, climate change and invasive species. The internship program enables students to work on independent research projects relevant to their own academic and professional goals under the mentorship of an internship supervisor. Projects span the range of research conducted at SERC, including environmental chemistry, marine and estuarine ecology, molecular ecology and terrestrial ecology. Projects are also offered in public engagement, with opportunities in environmental education, participatory science and science writing.
Summer interns are paid a stipend of $650 per week, and on-site dormitory housing is available. Internship appointments are typically full time (40 hours per week) and 10-16 weeks long.
Please visit the SERC Internship page for more details and application instructions. Applications are due by February 15.
Fox Haven Learning Center uses its beautiful natural campus of woodlands, streams, farmland, orchard, barn, and dairy parlor for educational programs for adults and children. Fox Haven’s classes encompass a wide range of topics spanning foraging for wild edible foods, gardening, cultivating mushrooms, herb production, and cooking classes, to personal health. Fox Haven’s Learning Center proudly continues to provide the region’s first Fresh Herb Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. With pick-up locations and hands-on classes offered in Frederick, Baltimore, and D.C., we strive to engage and educate a broad audience on the uses of herbs.
Our primary opportunities for students to engage in an internship experience with us are working directly with the farm team and working with our program coordinator/marketing manager.
- Working on the farm might include tasks such as climate-smart bed/soil prep, planting, harvesting, maintenance, and compost management. The intern/volunteer can also facilitate any research projects that we have the capacity to host.
- Working with our program coordinator/marketing manager might include graphic design, social media content, marketing tasks, being present to ensure programs run smoothly, and doing outreach events.
Website: Fox Haven Organic Farm
The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Summer Internship Program lets college students work and learn about science, policy, and education programming. Learn more about the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Summer Internship Program and application process. These internships are for students who will enter their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college this fall. Applicants must be a resident and/or attend a college or university within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Applications are due by February 7, 2025. In summer 2025, we will offer these internships:
- Data Programming: Create visualizations using data from the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System and hypoxia monitoring stations and explore how annual data relates to long-term averages.
- Place-Based Partnerships: Conduct outreach to build relationships between NOAA and other natural resource organizations to support a strategic approach to habitat restoration with partners.
- Environmental Literacy Planning: Help develop a series of resources for the education community that advance the creation and implementation of school district environmental literacy plans.
The Chesapeake-Student Recruitment, Early Advisement and Mentoring (C-StREAM) Program is for college students who identify as people of color, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQAI+ community, persons from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and first-generation college students who are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree. These internships are for undergraduate students who will enter their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college this fall, or for current seniors graduating in May 2025. Visit the C-StREAM website for details on the program. Applications are due by February 14, 2025. We will host two C-StREAM fellows in summer 2025:
- Field Technician: Work alongside NOAA scientists to help maintain monitoring buoys, conduct fish surveys, and track data
- Climate Education: Support publication of an assessment of climate change education, and help run workshops for educators
For more information visit the NCBO internship webpage.
The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (ASU BIOS), a unit of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University, has received funding from the National Science Foundation (Award number OCE-2349130), for our Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)) Program to support internships for undergraduate student research at ASU BIOS in Fall 2025 (starts August 25 - ends November 14).
An REU internship at ASU BIOS is a great way to gain the practical experience necessary to embark on graduate studies or careers in the marine and ocean sciences.
Funding includes roundtrip air fare (from and to the U.S.) campus accommodation and all meals. Each successful REU applicant will also receive a competitive stipend.
This life-changing 12-week program provides participants with the opportunity to conduct intensive, hands-on research projects under the expert mentorship of BIOS scientists.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Over 18 and enrolled in a program of undergraduate study immediately before and after the program dates
- U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident
Further information on the REU program at ASU BIOS can be found here.
Applications for the 2025 BIOS REU Program are now open, apply here.
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