The media communications intern will write news stories, work on Tyson’s annual report, and generate new and timely content for Tyson’s website and social media presence.

Specific qualifications:

• Interest in science communication for public understanding

• Experience writing public-facing pieces

• Experience conducting journalistic interviews

• Experience with Squarespace, Instagram, and Adobe InDesign

Reports to Susan Flowers and Kim Medley

The flora intern will assist with the ongoing Tyson Flora Project. Our goal is to create a master list of Tyson’s vascular plant species – from rare orchids in a remnant glade to weeds in the lab lawn. The “Flora of Tyson” project is a critical ongoing endeavor to create a baseline resource for experimental design and land management at Tyson. The flora intern will conduct field surveys of vascular plants, collect and process voucher specimens, monitor weekly flowering phenology, enter and clean data, and process voucher specimens at Missouri Botanical Garden.

Specific qualifications: 

• Plant identification and ability to use a dichotomous key

• Ability to work under outdoor field conditions

• Strong data management skills

Reports to Erin O’Connell

The biodiversity monitoring intern will use camera traps, acoustic recorders, and other ecological sampling methods to collect data for a variety of large-scale biodiversity monitoring projects at Tyson and in the St. Louis area. The intern will complete field work, equipment maintenance, data management, and analysis for 5 long-term projects that vary based on the season:

LifePlan- A global inventory of biodiversity led by researchers at the University of Helsinki with alternating years of data collection between Tyson and Forest Park. 

Vernal Pool Phenology Project- A Tyson-based project looking at the phenology of amphibians and trees at small, forested ponds across time to identify potential shifts and emerging asynchronies in the timing of important life history events (spring only).

Tyson Bat Inventory - A monitoring project to study bat species, including the endangered Indiana bat, Gray bat, and Northern Long-eared bat. Data will be processed and analyzed using computer software to identify calls to species and locate areas with high bat activity. 

Tyson Deer Monitoring - A fall site-wide camera trap network surveilling the population of white-tailed deer and assessing their impacts on Tyson’s forest.

St. Louis Wildlife Project - A monitoring project that aims to quantify biodiversity and understand wildlife ecology in the greater St. Louis area. St. Louis is a partner city in the Urban Wildlife Information Network, a global initiative based at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

Specific qualifications:

• Strong data management skills and attention to detail

• Strong computer skills, proficiency with spreadsheets and file management

• Ability to multitask 

• Basic knowledge of R programming software preferred but not required

• Comfortable speaking with the general public to train and educate 

• Interest in biodiversity, conservation, urban ecology, wildlife

Reports to Beth Biro, Solny Adalsteinsson, Erin O'Connell

The mosquito intern will assist with ongoing projects in the lab investigating the urban ecology and evolution of mosquitos. Projects this fall include characterizing overwintering dormancy of wild mosquitoes and the effects of light pollution on life history and reproductive traits of the invasive tiger mosquito. The work will largely take place in the lab at Tyson and consist of counting mosquito larvae, eggs, and embryos, entering data, and maintaining mosquito colonies. Some field work at Tyson and at sites across St. Louis is possible for a motivated candidate. The intern will have the opportunity to interact with mentors in the mosquito ecology and evolution lab, learn about experimental design, and data interpretation. The successful candidate will be required to come to Tyson 1-2 times a week and be able to work independently. 

Specific qualifications:

• Attention to detail

• Ability to take instruction and work independently

• A strong interest in insects, disease ecology, or urban ecology

• Dependable and able to keep a regular schedule

• Experience with microscopes is a plus but not required

Reports to Katie Westby and Kim Medley