Public Horticulture Internship
The Morton Arboretum ranks among the world's foremost public gardens, noted for its exceptional plant collections, beautiful garden and landscape displays, practical research focus, and rich library collections. The Morton Arboretum, located in Lisle, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, is offering two, three-month internships in Public Horticulture from approximately May 16, 2016 to August 12, 2016.
Interns will rotate through most Arboretum departments during the internship, gaining experience in these primary areas: Collections and Garden Curation and Planning and Design, Plant Records, and Plant Propagation. Additional activities include “Experience Enrichment Days” to incorporate aspects of public horticulture not covered in daily work (e.g. the Herbarium, Interpretation & Exhibits, Visitor Services, Summer Science Camp, orientation to specific research activities and projects, Plant Clinic, hands-on horticultural experience, Children’s Garden, off-site field trips or lectures, and other relative experiences).
Applicants must demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in public horticulture. Qualifications for candidates include gardening or plant maintenance experience and enrollment in or completion of a B.S. or M.S. degree program in the Life Sciences area (Biology, Botany, Environmental Science, Forestry, Horticulture, or Ecology). The Arboretum regrets it is unable to accept international students at this time.
Intern stipend is $750.00 bi-weekly. Applicants must have their own transportation. Housing assistance may be available. The Arboretum’s extensive library and education classes are also available to interns. Interns are expected to join in the activities of the Arboretum, including special events and visitor programs, in order to experience the full spectrum of the workings of a public garden. The Arboretum requires applicants for all positions to consent to a criminal history background investigation and successfully pass a post-offer/pre-employment drug screen prior to finalizing employment.
Interested candidates should forward a cover letter, Internship Application, resume, statement of purpose and unofficial transcript to: Colleen Emrick, Human Resources Specialist, The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532-1293, or to jobs@mortonarb.org. Applications for 2016 internships will be accepted until positions are filled. The Arboretum is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving a diverse workforce.
Center for Tree Science - Undergraduate Research Fellowship
The Morton Arboretum’s Center for Tree Science offers four summer fellowships to students who are interested in pursuing a career in urban ecology. We consider current undergraduate candidates with strong academic backgrounds and an interest in topics such as tree biology, urban biodiversity, urban forestry, arboriculture, root biology, soil science, forest ecology, genetics, informatics, plant systematics, pathology, entomology, tree conservation, and restoration ecology. LEARN MORE
The 2016 program dates will be June 13 through August 19 and successful applicants receive a stipend, an opportunity for housing, and a nominal budget for research. Fellows will work with their mentors to identify a research question, develop a proposal, conduct their research, and prepare a final report. Students in the program participate in weekly activities, such as seminars, field trips, social events, and more. At the end of the program, fellows will present their research in a student research symposium. LEARN MORE
Interested candidates should provide a cover letter (one page maximum, including your career goals and how this program would help you reach those goals, any prior research conducted, and your research area/mentor preference), a curriculum vitae or resume, letter of reference from an instructor or advisor from your academic institution, and an official or unofficial transcript from your academic institution. Applications will be accepted from January 1, 2016 until February 29, 2016 and should be submitted to Christine Carrier at ccarrier@mortonarb.org.
The Morton Arboretum offers seasonal employment, unpaid internships, and service learning credit hours to college students or graduate students seeking experience in other areas. See Employment or Volunteer options.