Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

Internship Program at Morris Arboretum

Flora of Pennsylvania

Description

The Flora of Pennsylvania Internship is a joint program between the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania and The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. The Flora of Pennsylvania Intern receives training and work experience in many aspects of managing collections in a major herbarium, and an opportunity to contribute to a modern state flora through a research project on some aspect of the flora of Pennsylvania. This internship requires a dedication to building a professional career in botany. This position is supported by the Eli Kirk Price Endowment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Help manage (file, repair, image, annotate, etc.) botanical specimens in the nationally important herbarium collection at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Participate in the ongoing botanical research activities in the Morris Arboretum Botany Department
Complete an independent study project under the direction of your supervisor
Work at two weekend Arboretum events - Fall Festival and Plant Sale
Enroll in and complete two academic courses at Penn: LARP755 (Fall) and LARP756 (Spring)
Participate in intern sessions as scheduled (typically weekly outside of academic year)
Learn to follow proper safety practices
Perform additional duties as requested

Qualifications/Requirements

Undergraduate degree in botany, or biology with course work in botany
A dedication to building a professional career in botany
Self-motivation and reliability is expected
Keen powers of observation and an active curiosity
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Work Environment

Work time in this internship is divided between the Botany Departments at Morris Arboretum (60%) and the Academy of Natural Sciences (40%). The Botany Department is an academic unit of the Arboretum, thus a healthy intellectual curiosity, an engagement with the primary literature, and the ability to write scientific papers are all desirable characteristics/skills of the intern in this position. The Pennsylvania Flora Intern may spend time out-of-doors, in the laboratory, or in other settings, as required. This position generally requires a willingness to travel, with some travel covering multiple days.

Past Project Topics

Morphological and Anatomical Analysis of a Putative Hybrid of Potamogeton Found in Pennsylvania Floristic Inventory
Vegetation Mapping and Management Recommendations for an Area Adjacent to the Pine Swamp Natural Area, French Creek State Park, Pennsylvania
Characterizing the Habitat of the Globally Rare Sedge Carex polymorpha (Cyperaceae) in Nescopeck State Park, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
The Current Status of Ruella in Pennsylvania and Eastern North America: A Natural History, Allozyme, and Mophometric Study

Click here to read the 2011-2012 Flora Intern Report.
Click here to read the 2010-2011 Flora Intern Report.

Apply Today!