It's REU time!

It's that time of year again: time for undergraduates to apply for NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs. Search the long list of REU programs by discipline or location: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm.
As examples, here are two announcements I received today:

Two Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities, Stream Ecology, University of Georgia. 

Two National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) opportunities in stream ecosystem ecology are available to investigate either the effects of elemental nutrient enrichment (nitrogen, N; phosphorus, P) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) enrichment or the effects of consumer removal on stream ecosystem processes. Through this research, each REU student will contribute to larger ongoing studies of stream nutrient enrichment or aquatic consumer removal in forested headwater streams. Each student will work alongside a PhD student to help design and execute lab and field studies appropriate to their specific REU study system. The REU student associated with the nutrient enrichment and carbon project will design studies to measure C breakdown and heterotrophic respiration in response to elevated concentrations of N and P, and elevated and varying DOC quality. The REU student associated with the consumer removal project will design studies to investigate food web structure and basal resource heterogeneity along stream discharge gradients. The PhD students and PI will mentor the students through the collection and analysis of data, as well as the presentation and publication of results.

These projects are based out of the Coweeta Hydrologic Lab (CHL), associated with the Coweeta LTER. The students on these projects will split time between CHL and the University of Georgia in Athens, GA.  Stipends will be $410/week for 9 weeks, with a preferred start date in early June 2013.

For more information, contact: Doctoral students David Manning (DOC; manningd@uga.edu) or Kait Farrell (Consumers; kfarrell@uga.edu), or PI Dr. Amy Rosemond (rosemond@uga.edu). Contact David or Kait to apply for one of the positions. Application materials consist of a one-page statement of interest, a current CV, including relevant coursework and prior research experience, and the names of 3 references.  Application materials due by April 12^th, but review of materials will begin as early as March 29^th. 

NSF-REU in Coral Reef Ecology at Florida International University

We seek a highly motivated undergraduate to fill a National Science Foundation, Research

Experience for Undergraduates (REU) position in coral reef ecology at Florida International

University. The successful applicant will work with Drs. Deron Burkepile

(http://www2.fiu.edu/~dburkepi/Home.html) and Rebecca Vega Thurber

(http://microbiology.science.oregonstate.edu/node/182) to conduct experiments on nutrient

exposure and coral disease dynamics in the Florida Keys. This position is for an undergraduate

student interested in pursuing a career or graduate studies in Marine Sciences. The successful

candidate will live and work on Key Largo in the Florida Keys and gain basic field and laboratory

research skills in coral reef ecology and microbiology. The primary responsibility of the student will

be to conduct experiments on how nutrient enrichment affects coral disease states and progression

rates, and coral bleaching. There will be ample opportunities to participate in other projects

studying herbivore foraging behavior, coral predation, and nutrient dynamics on coral reefs.

Eligibility: Undergraduates in their junior and senior years with interests in biology, microbiology,

and environmental sciences are invited to apply. Students cannot have graduated at the time of the

fellowship. Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and its possessions.

Minorities and underrepresented students are especially encouraged to apply.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a classroom/laboratory background in ecology and marine

biology. Experience working on coral reefs and/or with microbiological techniques is preferred.

Applicants MUST be certified SCUBA divers with at least 20 logged dives. Certification with the

American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) is necessary before field work begins.

This REU position runs June 3-August 23, 2013. A stipend of $5,500 will be provided to the student

for the 12-week full-time program. In addition, the student will be provided housing at no cost.

Students from outside the South Florida area also may apply for travel funds assistance. This

position is funded by the National Science Foundation Biological Oceanography Program.

Application Procedures: Applicants will need to submit: 1) Cover letter briefly stating background

and interests; 2) CV (resume); 3) College transcripts of all completed work (unofficial transcript is

fine); 4) Two letters of recommendation; 5) A statement of career goals and research interests; and

6) Evidence of SCUBA diving and/or AAUS certification.

Application materials should be sent as a single PDF file to Dr. Deron Burkepile via email at

deron.burkepile@fiu.edu. Please direct any questions to Dr. Burkepile via email.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 25, 2013.