STUDENT SUCCESS INTERNSHIPS: Greenhouse and Experimental Garden Intern Project
Department Name: Life and Environmental Sciences
Project Supervisor Name(s) Profs. Emily Moran, Jason Sexton
Project Supervisor Email Address(s): emoran5@ucmerced.edu, jsexton2@ucmerced.edu
Who Can Participate:
Undergraduates who have been enrolled for at least one semester at the time of application with a minimum of 3.0 GPA may participate. First-year transfer students are eligible to apply. In addition, students must be in good academic and conduct standing with the University and be able to carry a full course load and still be able to complete the project experience.
Do I Get Paid?
A project provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world experiences. Upon completion of the project, the student will receive up to $3,000 awarded through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships as a student stipend and will be added to your financial aid awards.
Job Description:
Develop skills in greenhouse management, plant care, data collection, and analysis! The student intern will assist plant biology faculty members and an interim greenhouse manager in greenhouse operations and maintaining an experimental common garden of poplar trees as part of the Popup Poplar Gardens project (https://popup-poplars.com/index.html). UC Merced now has new, state-of-the-art research greenhouses and an adjacent experimental garden. The intern will learn about greenhouse operations, including environmental controls, soil sterilization, growth chamber operation and maintenance, irrigation control systems, and research greenhouse user management. The internship offers opportunities to liaise with faculty, facilities staff, students, and other researchers.
Job Tasks:
The intern will assist with plant propagation and care, monitoring of environmental conditions, plant data collection, and the summarizing and initial analyses of datasets. They will assist with the processing of plant samples and management of databases, and coordinate with the greenhouse staff to assist in plant propagation, fertilization, and general plant care as needed.
Additional Requirements:
Coursework in ecological or evolutionary sciences. Laboratory coursework. Field-based coursework/experience with field work are preferred, but not necessary.