Description:
The Public Lands Initiative (PLI) Biology Intern will assist with the collection, processing, and identification of plant and insect samples. Student interns selected for this internship will work with faculty mentors on biological research. Project assignment will be driven in part by student interest. Research opportunities include (1) the identification of plants and insects using taxonomic keys and/or computer assisted resources such as iNaturalist, and (2) the preparation of pressed plant vouchers and pinned insect collections. The Public Lands Initiative is a collective of research projects that develop regional expertise related to the natural resources of regional public lands. PLI is housed in the Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History and links directly to the University of the Parks branding strategy at SUU.
Major professional skills learned: 1. Taxonomic techniques such as the use of dichotomous keys and stereomicroscopes, dissection techniques, and photographic equipment. 2. Critical reading and observation skills. 3. The ability to identify common plants and invertebrates of southern Utah. 4. Practical research and scientific process skills such as data management. 5. Skills related to the communication of data. 6. How to work in partnership with federal agencies. 7. Grant and report writing skills. Interested students may also develop engineering skills by building and deploying acoustic monitoring systems to measure bumble bee abundance.
Qualifications:
Ideal candidates will be interested in the biology of organisms or careers that involve biology. This internship may occasionally require some outdoor work and handling of living specimens such as bees and plants. Applicants are expected to be willing to work as part of a team of several faculty and other students who are working together to provide federal agencies baseline information about pollinators and plants in southern Utah.
At least two interns will be hired, and all interns must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits in face-to-face (not online) courses during the summer semester. Biology interns may enroll in the Biology Internship course (BIOL 4890) for credit with a faculty mentor in addition to the 3 or more credits of face-to-face courses. Students that fall below 3 credits during the summer semester or withdraw from their face-to-face course may lose funding for their internship. The internship is available to undergraduate students, but not graduate students.
Special Instruction to Applicants: Please send resume, proposed class schedule, SUU Student Employment Application (https://www.suu.edu/ad/hr/pdf/student-employment-application.pdf), and a copy of the Student Professional Development Survey (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vLCTtDVLuZ0tunxOV2X8pluiYp4IBxK5l3eeo7g6R14/edit?usp=sharing) to Dr. Jacqualine Grant by emailing jacqualinegrant@suu.edu.