Position Website and Application Information
The Plant Systematics Research Program at The Morton Arboretum is recruiting a research intern to begin by mid-May. The intern will assume primary responsibility for daily care and maintenance of the common garden for our National Science Foundation-funded bur oak study at The Morton Arboretum. Primary activities will include watering, weeding, and conducting other maintenance, as well as monitoring plant health and collecting plant data. Additional activities may consist of coordinating with volunteers and formatting collected data. A good candidate will enjoy working outdoors, and have an interest in tree research. As time allows, the internship is expected to include imaging and analyzing leaf shape data, providing the intern with broader coding and research experience. The position may extend into early October depending on intern availability.
Position Summary: Assist in laboratory and/or field operations at the Arboretum under close supervision of an Arboretum scientist. Specific responsibilities will vary with each research program. Research programs include soil science, root biology, plant health care, plant systematics, forest ecology, and conservation biology.
Essential Functions:
- Provide support to a scientist for the implementation of research and related projects.
- Assist with data and sample collection, sample processing, data analysis, and record keeping on research and related projects.
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, and perform routine lab maintenance by keeping laboratory and field equipment in good working order.
- May maintain living plants in the field and greenhouse.
- May voucher and assist with the curation of herbarium specimens.
- Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning and make the Arboretum exceptional.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Current enrollment in an Associate, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program, with a stated interest in studying biology, environmental sciences, or a related field. Willingness and eagerness to learn necessary field, laboratory, and library research skills required. Experience with database, spreadsheet, and statistical/graphics computer programs, and Google applications beneficial. Depending on the position, may require possession of a valid driver’s license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report.
Success Factors: Ability and willingness to work in laboratory and field environments. Good written and oral communication skills. Clear thought, visual acuity, and manual dexterity needed.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
- Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: walking over varied terrain, bending, limited lifting and carrying (up to 50 lbs. assisted). Use of chemicals may be necessary.
- Work Environment: Office environment and Arboretum grounds. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions. Some local or national travel may be required.
- Equipment: General office equipment, field and laboratory equipment, including specialized equipment relating to particular field of research, hand tools.
The hourly rate is $16.00/hour for currently enrolled college students and $17.00/hour for college graduates.
The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.
