REU in Ant Dynamics and Corridors
A National Science Foundation-funded Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) position is available to research the effects of habitat corridors on ant community dynamics at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in New Ellenton, South Carolina. The REU student will work with the SRS Corridor Project, an NSF LTREB (National Science Foundation Long-term Research in Environmental Biology) project that includes a large group of collaborators including Ellen Damschen (University of Wisconsin) John Orrock (University of Wisconsin), Lars Brudvig (Michigan State University), Nick Haddad (Michigan State University), Julian Resasco (University of Colorado), & Melissa Burt (Virginia Tech). The REU student will be hired through the University of Wisconsin-Madison and live and work near the Savannah River Site, SC. REU students collaborate with project investigators, students, technicians, and postdocs that are working to understand how corridors function in a longleaf pine savanna system. Field support, mentorship, and expertise on ant dynamics and corridors will be provided by Melissa Burt.
The REU should expect to spend about 12 weeks at SRS this summer (~May-August, 2020 depending on your semester schedule) doing field-based research. They will gain experience with experimental design and analyzing/presenting data (collecting, data analysis, and data presentation). This is a great opportunity for students interested in ecology, conservation biology, or related fields.
The REU will receive a stipend ($6000), an offset for living expenses ($600), and have research and travel expenses covered for the summer. The REU should expect to live near New Ellenton or Aiken, SC (towns close to the Savannah River Site) for the duration of the position.
Who’s eligible for applying?
- Undergraduate students that will be officially enrolled at their university through at least August 2020 AND
- According to NSF regulations, candidates must be either US citizens or permanent residents
- Students from underrepresented groups in science are especially encouraged to apply.
To apply, please send the following to Melissa Burt at melissaburt@vt.edu by February 14th:
- Resume or CV
- Brief cover letter detailing why you are interested in this position (1 page max)
- Names and emails for 2 references