Plant Ecology Internships

~ Archbold Biological Station, established in 1941, is the primary division of Archbold Expeditions, a not-for-profit independent research institution in central Florida. ~

The Station is dedicated to long-term ecological research, part of the global effort to understand, interpret and preserve the world’s natural heritage. Staff, visiting investigators, and students conduct research primarily focused on the organisms and environments of Lake Wales Ridge and adjacent central Florida. Areas of research strength are population ecology and conservation biology, emphasizing ecological changes over local and regional scales, and demographic shifts in ecologically sensitive species.

Staff scientists also undertake studies in similar ecosystems regionally, most notably at the Avon Park Air Force Range and at the many state and federally protected areas on the Lake Wales Ridge – our research was fundamental in inspiring public acquisition of these sites. Our research helps guide land management decisions for regional scrub protected areas. Archbold is used heavily for education including research training for graduates and undergraduates from around the world, use by visiting college classes, extensive K-12 education, and public outreach.

Position Overview

Internships available at Archbold Biological Station in south-central Florida in the Plant Ecology Program, led by Dr. Eric Menges, which emphasizes conservation biology, plant demography, restoration ecology, fire ecology, landscape ecology, and fire management.

We study many rare species of endemic vascular plants in endangered Florida scrub and related communities. Active fire management provides outstanding opportunities for short-term comparative studies in fire ecology. Our long-term (as long as 30-year) datasets on dozens of scrub plants gives context to short-term, focused, field projects. A large-scale experimental restoration provides a useful context for restoration ecology projects.

Our internships are ideal preparation for graduate research in ecology. Most of our interns have gone on to academic or professional positions and many have first-authored publications based on their intern projects.

Qualifications

• Ideal candidates will have independent research experience, classwork and experience in ecology and botany, field ecology experience, strong grades, statistical and GIS skills, and excellent letters of recommendation.

Compensation 

Interns live on site and receive a room, breakfasts and lunches, a meal allowance, and a weekly stipend of $100. Each intern works 20 hours per week assisting with a wide range of ongoing research projects. The remainder of the week can be devoted to an independent research project.

Internships run for 8 months (can sometimes be extended) and offer an opportunity for experience in every aspect of scientific research, from project choice and experimental design to oral and written presentations. 

Additional Information

• Additional information can be found at the Archbold website; 
• The plant ecology program website; or
• Our intern website.