Positions Available at Harvard Forest
Summer 2010 Undergraduate Research Program in Ecology
The Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology is an opportunity for students to participate in on-going research at the Harvard Forest. Harvard Forest research focuses on the effects of natural and human disturbances on forest ecosystems, including global warming, hurricanes, forest harvesting, and invasive organisms. Researchers come from many disciplines, and specific projects center on population and community ecology, paleoecology, land-use history, aquatic ecology, biochemistry, soil science, ecophysiology, and atmosphere-biosphere exchanges.
Ecologist
Harvard Forest - Harvard University, Petersham, MA
The Harvard Forest is seeking a scientist with an outstanding research and publication record to develop a research program on the broad topic of ecology and conservation of ecosystems and landscapes in New England. Although the specific research area is open, applicant interests should be complementary to existing NSF, DOE, LTER, EPA and related studies and should build on established archival, land, and research bases developed by Harvard Forest researchers through a century of study. We are especially interested in individuals committed to the collaborative and interdisciplinary environment at the Forest.
Background
Over the past decade, the growth of Harvard Forest as the field center for many of Harvard University’s programs in ecology, conservation and environmental sciences has accelerated dramatically. Recent research initiatives supported by NSF (including DEB, DBI, and Biocomplexity), DOE (through its National Institute for Climate Change Research, Terrestrial Carbon Program, and Program in Ecosystem Research), USDA, and soon NEON all leverage nearly 25 years of the NSF-funded Long Term Ecological Research program. These activities engage researchers from many parts of Harvard and diverse outside institutions spanning fields of study ranging from paleoecology, population, and community ecology, to atmospheric chemistry, biogeochemistry, and conservation biology. New laboratory facilities to be completed in early 2010 for microbial ecology and biogeochemistry and the installation of NEON instrumentation in 2011 promise further expansion of complementary research in all these areas. Despite the breadth of research and diversity of investigators, most research at Harvard Forest is unified by the common theme of linking ecological pattern and process to long-term dynamics of the New England landscape and by application of research results to pressing issues in conservation biology, natural resource management, and environmental change. In addition, all studies seek to advance education and training for undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
Position Description
We seek to add breadth to the research group based at the Harvard Forest, and in particular to identify an individual to initiate a new research program and set of activities. Rather than focusing this search on any particular ecological subdiscipline, process, or phenomenon, we are looking for an individual who will fit well into the research context, history, and intellectual environment presented by the Forest's setting in central New England, and its current research program and facilities. In particular we seek an individual whose research interests:
- Are complementary to those of current research staff and directions in population, community, and historical ecology, environmental history, conservation biology, paleoecology, landscape ecology, and ecosystem dynamics.
- Will take advantage of the nearly 100 years of records and extensive geographical, cartographic, and historical databases available at the Forest.
- Will use or add to the infrastructure base provided by current research labs in biogeochemistry, paleoecology, dendrochronology, and spatial analysis.
- Will make full use of the rural setting and the Harvard Forest’s focus on studies at a site (e.g. 3500 acres of Harvard land), sub-region (e.g. central Massachusetts, coastal New England and adjoining New York), and regional (New England and adjoining areas) scale.
- Will substantially augment ongoing externally funded research and education programs at the Harvard Forest.
- Will strengthen the Harvard Forest Summer Research Program for undergraduates, which is supported in part by NSF REU funding.
The successful applicant will bring an outstanding history of active research and funding and will apply this background towards defining a new research program that broadens and is strongly collaborative with current activities at the Harvard Forest. As a member of the senior research staff, the new scientist will design and conduct research projects, serve as author and prepare publications of research results, and obtain funding to support research activities. Emphasis will be placed on the individual's ability to complement the existing research and educational environment.
Qualifications
PhD required. Applicants should have an excellent history of leading and conducting complex research projects, publication and presentation of results, and obtaining funding.
Compensation
The position will be supported by institutional funds at a level determined by background and experience; the initial three-year appointment will be renewable subject to review. The Harvard Forest offers an excellent field, laboratory, and academic environment, and efforts will be made to assist the new position to develop a proper research base of facilities and activity. Harvard University offers an excellent benefits package, with further information available at http://employment.harvard.edu/.
Application Procedure
Please submit:
- CV
- Cover letter including contact information for three recommenders
- Supporting material describing research experience and directions, and the fit between the individual's expertise, interests and history to the research focus and ongoing activities at the Harvard Forest. This latter part of the application is critical, as the focus of the search is to identify individuals and research directions that will work effectively within the physical, cultural, and scientific environment of the Harvard Forest. The Harvard Forest website, http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/ contains further background on the activities, facilities, and geographical context of the Forest such as the Harvard Forest Annual Report, Abstracts of the HF Ecology Symposium, and the most recent HF LTER proposal.
Application materials should be forwarded to hfapps@fas.harvard.edu, Subject: Ecology Search Committee. Application review will begin begin on January 20, 2010.
Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity.
Outreach and Communication Intern
Full time summer position
Job Description
Harvard Forest, an internationally recognized center for basic research in forest ecology, seeks an undergraduate student to assist in developing a comprehensive tracking system of alums of the Forest undergraduate education programs. This includes: using the internet to find current contact information for alums; updating contact database; interviewing alums to learn what types of outreach are most needed; and developing appropriate networking devices to engage alums (Facebook, newsletter template, etc.).
Qualifications
The successful applicant will be:
- attentive to detail, effective in multi-tasking and working independently;
- enrolled in an undergraduate program;
- be a voracious participant in all types of social media outlets (facebook, blogs, twitter, etc.); and have excellent interpersonal and writing skills.
Compensation
$10.25/hour for 35 hours per week for 10-11 weeks in Summer 2010.
How to Apply
Send cover letter, contact information for 3 references and resume to hfapps@fas.harvard.edu.
Harvard University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.