Current Opportunities

Summer 2021 paid Boulder grassland fieldwork opportunity:

Are you interested in ecology, plant science, or conservation, and looking for the first opportunity to gain professional experience? We seek two part time summer research assistants to take part in a new project in Boulder’s grasslands (1-2 days per week, approx. May–Aug 2021).  Total stipend pay is $1500 (for a total of about 108 work hours throughout the summer at a rate of $14/hr).

Projected increases in drought frequency is a concern for local ecosystem management and restoration; together we will seek to understand how drought and grazing affect the timing of important plant stages as well as their reproductive success. This research will help us anticipate vegetation responses and better conserve our natural grasslands into the future. Applicants can expect to spend most workdays collecting a range of data at a local field site (requires hiking a short distance off-trail), and potentially some days in the lab processing samples or managing and analyzing data.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. We strongly encourage students underrepresented in STEM, first year students, and transfer students to apply. Students should be interested in developing some of the following skillsets: accessing/reading relevant scientific literature, experimental design, data collection and management (in field and laboratory settings), data analysis, and science communication. 

To apply, please send a letter of interest and a resume/CV to Tom Merchant at thme3808@colorado.edu. In your letter of interest (no more than 2 paragraphs), please respond to the following questions: 1) Why do you want to conduct field ecology research? 2) How will this experience further your academic or career goals?