University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public institution that was founded in 1851. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 36,209 (fall 2021), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,204 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities’ ranking in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 62.
Cariveau Native Bee Lab: With over 20,000 species globally and more than 400 and counting in Minnesota, wild bees provide a model system to investigate questions in ecology, agriculture and conservation biology. Our mission is to promote the conservation, health, and diversity of bee pollinators through research, education and hands-on mentorship.
The Cariveau Native Bee Lab is recruiting a graduate student to study habitat associations of the endangered Rusty-patched Bumble Bee and others bumble bee species. The student will travel to eastern Wisconsin and sample habitats across a rural to urban gradient. Sites will be sampled multiple times to collect data to calculate detection probabilities for use in occupancy modeling. The project is funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The student will have opportunities to work and interact with the USFWS.
We are seeking a MSc student or potentially a PhD student. Students from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Funding includes tuition waiver, health benefits, and a graduate research assistantship stipend for 2.5 years.
Our lab group addresses basic and applied questions related to ecology, natural history and conservation of native bees. Our research ranges from testing sampling methods to evaluating the effectiveness of restorations for native bee communities. The student will collaborate with Dr. Elaine Evans and Dr. Dan Cariveau.
Start Date: The ideal candidate would begin a field season in May 2023 and start course work in September 2023.
Required Qualifications:
- BS/BA in biology, entomology, ecology, biology, environmental sciences or related field
- Experience conducting field-based research.
- Experience working independently as much of the field work involves traveling to sites far from the lab.
- Experience working collaboratively in teams.
- Excellent communication skills.
- A valid driver’s license and ability to drive long distances to field locations and work remotely throughout the field season
Desired qualifications
- Experience studying insect ecology, plant ecology and/or pollination ecology.
- Experience or interest in quantitative analysis
- Experience or interest in endangered and threatened species conservation and management
- Experience in ArcGIS or spatial analysis
Salary: graduate research assistantship stipend for 2.5 years
To apply: Send a single pdf labeled as Lastname_GradApplication.pdf to Dan Cariveau at dcarivea@umn.edu. Please feel free to contact Dan with any questions about the position.
Please include the following:
A. CV
B. Cover letter describing your passion for insect ecology and/or conservation and how this graduate position would fulfill your goals.
C. Names and contact information for 3 references that can speak to your ability to excel in graduate school and complete a graduate degree
D. Unofficial university transcripts
E. A writing sample
Review of applications will start November 23 and will continue until filled.
Diversity: The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Students are expected to be collaborative scientists that are creative, highly-motivated, and insatiably curious. Much of the research involves field ecology, and good humor while working long hours in hot, humid and bug-ridden conditions is necessary. Finally, graduate school can be challenging, arduous, exciting and fulfilling.
Contact Person Dan Cariveau Contact eMail dcarivea@umn.edu