Join

• I am not currently recruiting postdoctoral researchers. Any future openings will be posted on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/forest-isbell

I am not currently recruiting graduate students. Any future openings will be posted on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/forest-isbell

• Prospective undergraduate students or post-baccs (including recent graduates) who are interested in research in our lab should contact our lab manager, Sydney Hedberg ([email protected]), with any questions.
• Each summer, we hire a team of undergraduate students to work on many of our field research projects at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, which is located about an hour north of the Twin Cities. We advertise these positions in the winter and hire in the spring.
• We have a diverse and inclusive team.
• Prospective undergraduate students from the University of Minnesota, please learn more about undergraduate research opportunities below. Prospective undergraduate students from other institutions, please also feel welcome to apply for paid positions. Each summer, we hire students from many institutions.
• Summary of research opportunities for UMN undergraduate students:
  • Paid positions:
    • Research grants: Most positions in our lab group are paid and supported by research grants. Paid undergraduate positions in our lab will be posted on GopheResearch.
    • UROP: This is a university-wide funding opportunity that pays students to conduct research over the course of a semester or over the summer. Students need to identify and work with a faculty mentor to write a short proposal describing their proposed research. UROP's webpage for more information and application criteria and CBS's webpage for CBS-specific guidelines.
    • Dean’s Research Program (DRP): This paid research position was established by the Dean’s office to ensure all CBS students have the opportunity for a real research experience during their tenure in CBS. Faculty participating in the program submit their information and briefly describe potential research projects. Students can then apply and indicate their preferred research projects. There are requests for DRP applications before both fall and spring semesters and the summer. See more information on the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences Dean's Research Program website.
  • Course credit positions:
    • BIOL2996: This one credit course is designed to allow students to learn more about a research labs. Students generally attend lab meetings, read and discuss papers from the lab, and shadow lab members to learn more about the research being conducted. The lab also learns about the student, their reliability, enthusiasm in the research, etc. This can often be a steppingstone into a more comprehensive research experience.
    • Directed research: This upper-level course provides an opportunity for students to conduct research for credit. Students will work with a faculty mentor to identify a research question to work on over the course of a semester. The number of credits can vary (One credit ≈ Three hours/week) but generally students take at least three credits/semester. This course can often fulfill one of the advanced lab course requirements.
  • As a reminder, students cannot get paid and get credit for the same research as this is a violation of federal law. However, students can get credit for research done in one lab and be paid for work conducted in a different lab.