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Undergraduate Research Opportunity

We are looking for undergraduates who have a strong interest in ecology or forestry to participate in an NSF funded project in the New Jersey pine barrens and in commercial forests in Finland.

The object of the project is to provide education and research experience to undergraduate students by becoming involved in parts of two projects investigating the effects of forest manipulations on forest floor vegetation and changes in soil processes. The project is related to a tree thinning and experimental forest floor manipulations in the NJ pine barrens designed to convert the understory from an ericaceous shrub community to one dominated by grasses and sedges. The project in Finland is related to forest harvesting and the removal of non-timber post-harvest residues for biofuels.

Students will be expected to attend meetings in Rutgers University in the spring of each year to get to know each other and to learn about the details of the projects and life and forestry in Finland. During the summer, students will spend time in Finland to participate in the research there and time in the NJ pine barrens in the spring and fall participating in the project there. Each student will have a specific sub-set of research protocols to focus on, but all will be made aware of the overall research agenda.

Women and minority students are encouraged to apply. Please apply to Dr. John Dighton (dighton@camden.rutgers.edu) with a letter stating your reasons for applying and any research experience you have had, particularly if it relates to forestry or soil ecology.

Application deadline to be announced.