Colorado Carbon REU

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Opportunity: Carbon cycling in alpine ponds of Colorado

Dr. Scott Wissinger and Dr. Amanda DelVecchia

Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Allegheny College

We are seeking a highly motivated undergraduate student to conduct a 10-week research project investigating patterns in CO2 saturation and efflux across alpine ponds in Gothic, Colorado (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/colorado/placesweprotect/mexican-cut-preserve.xml).  The project involves rigorous field sampling, measurement of headspace samples on a gas chromatograph and/or LiCor, and collection of routine hydrologic measurements.  Student should have taken basic biology and chemistry classes and should be in good academic standing.  An interest in ecology and/or hydrology is preferred.  Experience with both field and lab techniques is also preferable, but not necessary.

Sampling requires hiking with equipment to 12,000 feet in elevation in variable weather conditions ­ thus student should be comfortable in wilderness conditions and in excellent physical condition.  The student should also be comfortable living in a relatively remote setting.

Position includes room, board, and stipend from the beginning of June to mid August.  The student will be housed at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (www.rmbl.org) and will be enrolled in RMBL¹s REU program, where the student will be able to participate in routine meetings and a symposium at the end of summer.  The student will also be part of a large team of aquatic ecologists including professors, postdocs, graduate students, undergraduate research assistants, and other REU students.