Student Research Opportunities

Each UMBS course involves research, typically in the form of a group or individual research project. You will gain first-hand research experience simply by taking your classes. However, you may wish to pursue your own research independent of UMBS spring/summer courses. We invite graduate and advanced undergraduate students from any institution to apply to conduct their research at the UMBS.

Our location is optimal for research in ecology and evolutionary biology, as well as atmospheric chemistry. We have a variety of habitats on or near Biological Station property and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for data collection and analysis. For many research sites, we have long-term or historical data sets for baseline or reference points.

The UMBS is pleased to offer the Community and Lakes Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) Fund Fellowship to undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, alumni gifts and University sources have provided limited funding to assist graduate students who are working toward their degree while in residence at the Station. More information can be found on the Graduate Student Research Fellowships page.

The 2024 deadline to submit undergraduate student fellowship applications (CLEAR Fellowship and Bach-Hazlett Fellowship) is Feb. 14, 2024. Click on the fellowship tabs below to learn more.

CLEAR Fellowship

The University of Michigan Biological Station is pleased to offer the Project CLEAR (Community and Lakes Environmental Awareness and Research) Fund Fellowship. CLEAR began as a student-led project conducted from 1977-81 at the Biological Station. Its members have funded this fellowship. CLEAR Fellows have two roles and commitments:

They will be spring/summer interns for the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council.
They will be UMBS students for the Spring or Summer Session.

From mid-May to the beginning of the UMBS Summer Session, CLEAR Fellows will be full-time interns for Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. CLEAR Fellows will continue to work as interns at the Watershed Council on a half-time basis once the Summer Session begins. During this time, Fellows will be required to:

Conduct independent research on freshwater ecosystems (e.g. water quality improvement, ecosystem protection or stewardship, or freshwater sustainability);
Involve/engage local communities in their research/research findings; and
Enroll concurrently in 1 summer session field class at UMBS (tuition support provided). This spring course term runs May 21 – June 20, 2024 and summer course term runs July 2- July 1, 2024.

Support

This fellowship provides tuition support, room, board, research fees, and supplies at UMBS. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council will provide a $15 per hour stipend for work performed for their organization (up to 40 hours per week).

Housing is provided for CLEAR Fellows at UMBS from early/mid-May until the conclusion of the summer session.

Fellows will report to the Water Resources Manager Marcella Domka at the Watershed Council.

CLEAR Fellow Responsibilities

Volunteer Monitoring Programs: Fellows will work to organize and carry out volunteer monitoring activities, including trainings, field data collection, laboratory analyses, and quality assurance.
Field Surveys, Inventories, and Restoration Projects: Fellows get their feet wet in the water resource management field assisting both our Monitoring Programs Coordinator and Restoration Coordinator with a variety of field projects, but also helping in the lab with calibration and maintenance of field survey equipment, water quality monitoring instrumentation, sampling gear, and GPS.
GIS (Geographical Information System), Database, and Office Tasks: Fellows assist staff on the GIS front by processing field GPS data, developing GIS data layers, producing display maps, performing spatial analyses, and ground-truthing in the field.

Qualifications

Must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in natural resources, environmental studies, or equivalent; possess strong written and verbal skills; and have a valid driver’s license and vehicle (mileage reimbursement provided). Proficiency in swimming and paddling (kayak and canoe), as well as the ability to work 10+ hours/day, is required for fieldwork. Prior experience with field work, macroinvertebrate identification, and GIS is a plus. Strong computer skills are also required, including familiarity with Microsoft Office software such as Access, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as defined by the CDC upon start date, unless there is a basis for an exemption based on disability/medical conditions and/or religion.

Apply: Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to UMBS Research Coordinator Helen Habicht (habicht@umich.edu).

Deadline: Open until filled. Please apply by February 14, 2024

Founded in 1979, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Michigan’s lakes, streams, wetlands, and ground water. Based in beautiful Petoskey, Michigan, the Watershed Council works on local issues in the watersheds of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet Counties, as well as state, federal, and binational policy. Hallmarks of the Council’s work include respected advocacy, watershed planning, innovative education, technically sound water quality monitoring, thorough research, collaboration, and empowering others. For more background information, check out www.watershedcouncil.org.

Bach-Hazlett Fellowship

The Bach-Hazlett Fellowship covers tuition, room and board for one student to take classes during either spring or summer session at the University of Michigan Biological Station and do a research project involving ecology and behavior.