GLRC 2008 Internship Program

The Great Lakes Research Consortium internship program consists of two types. The first is a local internship program that attempts to match students with researchers looking for student help. Requirements vary by position and often occur in the summer months. Faculty members interested in advertising internship positions at this site should prepare a short description of the duties and responsibilities and send it to the GLRC office. To qualify for GLRC matching funds, the position must meet the following criteria:

The intern position must be filled with a student from a GLRC member institution other than the faculty member's home campus.
The host faculty member must provide a 50% matching support. This can be through state, Federal, private or institutional funding.
GLRC funds cannot exceed $3,000 and are usually provided after invoicing by your local research foundation and verification of the matching support. For more information, you may wish to contact the GLRC director at glboyer@esf.edu early in the hiring process.

GRLC faculty are encouraged to advertise other job opportunities on this site also. As a service to its student members, GLRC also lists internship opportunities at locations other than its member institutions. This includes great lakes-related summer REU programs and other opportunities. For more information, contact Khris Dodson in the GLRC office at: Khris Dodson, Great Lakes Research Consortium, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry,
1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210;
Phone: 315- 470-6720; Fax: 315-470-6970;
E-mail: glrc@esf.edu

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Summer Internships at Consortium Institutions:

At Syracuse University: Examining Spatial Patterns in the Dynamics of Mercury Species along the Seneca/Owego River and Supply to Lake Ontario

Professor Charles Driscoll (ctdrisco@syr.edu)
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

We currently have a project examining spatial patterns in the dynamics of mercury species along the Seneca/Owego River and supply to Lake Ontario. Water samples are collected along the river to examine patterns of mercury supply, loss and methyl mercury production. In addition, we examine rates of elemental mercury formation and evasive loss along the river. The student working on this project will help collect samples and make measurements in the field, and conduct analysis of samples in the laboratory. The student would also be involved in data analysis and interpretation.

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At Syracuse University: Water Quality and Biological Response to Water Quality of Embayments to Lake Ontario

Professor Charles Driscoll (ctdrisco@syr.edu)
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

As part of our activities on Lake Ontario, we are interested in the water quality and biological response to water quality of embayments to Lake Ontario. This project will build on a previous study on controls on the water quality and food webs of three Lake Ontario embayments: Little Sodus Bay, Juniper Pond and South Sandy Pond. In this undergraduate project water samples will be collected monthly from the embayments and tributaries entering and leaving the embayments. These water samples will be measured for total and methyl mercury in the laboratory. In addition the student will analyze biological samples previously collected from these embayments for mercury content, including fish, macroinvertebrates and zooplankton. Using these data together with previous data collected for the site, the student will be able to assess the production of methyl mercury and trophic transfer of that mercury in aquatic organisms in the embayments.

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At Clarkson University: Phytoplankton Community Development in the St. Lawrence River

Professor Michael Twiss (mtwiss@clarkson.edu)

Department of Biology and Great Rivers Center

The field of focus for this project will be natural and human-influenced environmental gradients in the International Section of the St. Lawrence River (from is headwaters at Cape Vincent on the shore of Lake Ontario to the Moses-Saunders Power Dam at Massena, New York). Due to the enormous volume of water that passes through the St. Lawrence River (8,000 m3/s), the water in the center of the river strongly represents the chemistry of the headwaters (Lake Ontario) whereas nearer to shore the water is influenced by the tributary rivers. One interesting feature of large rivers flowing from lakes or reservoirs is the decrease in phytoplankton relative to the headwater. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this observation, viz. increased contact with surfaces in turbulent water, and increased UV radiation exposure, to name a few. In contrast, increases in phytoplankton are detectable downstream from point sources of nutrient input into the river. Students will examine natural and human-induced gradients in phytoplankton community composition and health, in addition to water quality, in the International Section of the St. Lawrence River. Access to the river is made possible onboard the 25’ R/V Lavinia, the primary research vessel of the Great Rivers Center at Clarkson University. Wide arrays of sophisticated and classical sampling methods are available for use, e.g. FluoroProbe (in situ pigment-specific fluorometer), submersible multi-sensor probe (conductivity-temperature-depth-dissolved oxygen), FRRF (Fast Repetition Rate Fluorometer), water sampling bottles, plankton nets, sediment dredges, submersible light meters, navigational software, and GIS mapping software. The objective of the research will be to determine the cause of decreases and changes in phytoplankton populations from Lake Ontario through the 170 km stretch of the International Section of the St. Lawrence River. Students will obtain expertise in limnological techniques using advanced analytical equipment and contribute to advancing our understanding of ecological processes and how they are affected by human activity in a globally significant major river.

Deadline: for REU position application is 3/1/08. See: http://web2.clarkson.edu/reu/application/

Contact: mtwiss@clarkson.edu if past 3/1/08.

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At Cornell University Biological Field Station: Biology of the New Invader in the Great Lakes, the Small Mysid Shrimp,Hemimysis anomala

Professor Lars Rudstam (lgr1@cornell.edu)
Department of Natural Resources

An intern is needed to help with research on Great Lakes ecology during the summer of 2008 for an 11 week period starting May 27 to Aug 9, 2008. The intern is provided housing at the field station (rustic), along with a stipend, and will be part of a group of 8-10 undergraduates helping with research and doing independent projects at the station. This project is in cooperation with the USGS Great Lakes laboratory in Oswego. Duties are field sampling and sample processing of both mysids and the fish that feed on mysids, and an experiment on habitat choice by these animals. Positions are open until filled.

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At Cornell University Biological Field Station: Development of Multi-Frequency Acoustics Methods for Assessing Distributions of Zooplankton, Mysids and Fish in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.

Professor Lars Rudstam (lgr1@cornell.edu)
Department of Natural Resources

An intern is needed to help with research on Great Lakes ecology during the summer of 2008 for an 11 week period starting May 27 to Aug 9, 2008. The intern is provided housing at the field station (rustic), along with a stipend, and will be part of a group of 8-10 undergraduates helping with reseatch and doing independent projects at the station. Duties include field sampling, data analysis and sample processing. Positions are open until filled.

Professor Lars Rudstam
Department of Natural Resources

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Other Summer 2008 Opportunities for Students:

Research Assistant: Masters of Science in Environmental Science and Engineering at Clarkson University

The student will be responsible for field testing a phytoplankton-specific submersible field fluorometer and method and protocol development for ultimate remote instrument use. The area of study is the International Section of the St. Lawrence River, and the Great Lakes. Data collected and analyzed will form the basis of the masters thesis. A research stipend equivalent to $20,670 per year ($795 bi-weekly) and a tuition waiver will be provided.

The research is funded by grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (GL2007-60; see http://epa.gov/greatlakes/fund/2006fund/yeslist.html) and the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (see http://syracusecoe.org/main/water.aspx).

Qualifications: A bachelor degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or engineering is required. The student should be in good physical condition, capable of field work on coastal research vessels and ships, and in possession of a Class D driver license. The candidate must be admissible to the Clarkson University graduate program in Environmental Science and Engineering see: http://www.clarkson.edu/ese/.

How to Apply: Send a cover letter, current resume, and names and contact information of three referees, and an unofficial copy of all academic transcripts to Michael Twiss, Great Rivers Center, Clarkson University,8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, N, 13699-5805.

Deadline: 3/31/08

Contact: Michael Twiss, Associate Professor
Tel: 315-268-2359, Fax: 315-268-7118
Email: mtwiss@clarkson.edu

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Great Lakes WATER Institute Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). The program hosted at the Wisconsin Aquatic Technology and Environmental Research laboratories in Milwaukee WI runs from June 9th through August 15th. It consists of a work-experience program in the laboratory and in the field, under the supervision of a research director. Students prepare a written research plan, conduct the proposed work, prepare a project summary and give an oral presentation of the results at the close of the session. Stipends of $4,000 are provided to summer participants for a 10-week full-time program.

Deadline: for applications is 3/10/08.

Contact: For more information and application instructions, visit www.glwi.uwm.edu and follow the REU program links.

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Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, Entry level technical and administrative work with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Health Unit performing routine field work collecting fish health samples as well as laboratory work within the Department's Fish Health Laboratory in Waterbury, VT. Position duties vary but can include preparing media, reagents, equipment, and materials necessary for the detection or diagnosis of various fish diseases, and performing routine laboratory work within the Department's Fish Health Laboratory.

Contact: Barbara Johnston, Fish Health Biologist at Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife 103 South Main St. Waterbury, VT 05671-0501 E-mail: barbara.johnston@statet.vt.us

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Undergraduate Summer Research in China

Clarkson University is offering a NSF-REU program in Marine Science and Engineering in 4 cities in China, and Advanced Material Science in China. The program is an 11-week program with research based in China. Selected students will receive a financial support package of about $8,000. All engineering and science majors are eligible.

For more information or to apply, see http://www.clarkson.edu/projects/reushen/reu_china/

Contact: H. T. Shen Clarkson University 8 Clarkson Ave Potsdam, NY 13699 (phone) 315-268-6606.

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Summer Internship at the Alliance for the Great Lakes Chicago, Ill.

Internship with a focus on policy analysis, public involvement and non-partisan advocacy. Though Alliance internships are offered without pay, school credit can be arranged and they work with applicants to recruit external fellowship support. Interns will receive intensive hands-on experience by working directly with highly-qualified Alliance staff on projects to restore fish and wildlife habitat, eliminate toxic pollutants, and conserve land and water resources. Duties may include Public outreach and education through presentations; Substantive environmental work, such as assisting with the research, formulation and implementation of environmental policy; media outreach and press exposure in partnership with Alliance staff.

Deadline: for applications is 3/15/08.

Contact: For more information and to apply, contact the Frances Canonizado, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Summer Internship Program, 17 N. State Street, Suite 1390, Chicago, IL 60602

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