Vegetation

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Opportunity at H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest

Position period: June 08 - August 17, 2026 (ten weeks)

Description of the project: Seeking 1 summer intern to contribute to a National Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research (NSF LTER) project investigating how interacting abiotic stressors limit forest productivity. The REU intern will develop research to tease apart the effects of heat stress and water limitation on individual tree growth. The student will help to monitor water potentials, tree growth, embolism, microscopy to assess dynamics of cellular growth during xylogenesis, and contribute to gas exchange measurements. Additionally the student will be provided the opportunity to assist on measurements of soil hydraulic properties. Project mentors include: German Vargas G., Justine Rojas, Mark Schulze, Chris Still, and Pam Sullivan.

Duties include:

• Weekly monitoring of water potentials, tree growth, and embolism in adult Douglas Fir trees part of an irrigation experiment.
• Additionally the student will be provided the opportunity to assist on measurements of soil hydraulic properties.
• Write a final research report summarizing the main findings.

This internship will provide the undergraduate student an opportunity to participate in 10 weeks of mentored, paid, independent research. The student will interact with scientists, university faculty, federal scientists, and graduate students conducting research in the area. The REU student will conduct supervised and guided research and be encouraged to tailor the research project to their own interests. Apartment-style, shared-room housing is provided at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest field station. The field station is located in the Willamette National Forest near Blue River, OR and provides access to great hiking and mountain biking trails, swimming holes, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. The field station community ranges in size seasonally from 40-70 residents, and includes permanent staff, longer term field crews, visiting writers and artists, shorter term research crews, classes and conferences.The Lookout Creek watershed contains old growth coniferous forests, clear fast streams and diverse montane meadows.

Room and board: A stipend of $6000 will be provided in addition to $2,000 toward expenses for housing, travel, supplies. Please note that the REU program is considered an educational program rather than employment; therefore, Oregon State University (OSU) does not provide Worker’s Compensation insurance coverage nor medical insurance on your behalf. You are responsible for your own health insurance coverage.

Position Requirements: Applicants should have a valid driver’s license. The position will involve working very early (4 am) mornings. Applicants should have a strong work ethic, be self-motivated, and comfortable with working in a combination of field and laboratory settings. The ability to adapt to a variable work schedule is also necessary. Previous experience in plant hydraulic measurements is preferred.

Eligibility: Eligibility is limited to currently enrolled undergraduates that have a graduation date no sooner than fall 2026. All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents.

To apply: Please send: 1) a cover letter outlining your interests and relevant experience, 2) CV, and 3) contact information for three professional references to: vargasgg@oregonstate.edu with the subject ”HJA REU 2026 Application”. Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will start May 1st, 2026 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Opportunity: Research Experience for Undergraduates Intern Position studying Forest Ecology

Position Period: Expected June 1^st through August 13^th, 2026 (10 weeks), but dates are slightly flexible based on student availability

Location: H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Blue River, Oregon

Description of the project: This research project is done in conjunction with the LaManna Lab (https://www.lamannalab.org/) at Marquette University and the Busby (https://agmicrobiome.org/) and Jones Labs (https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/joneslab/) at Oregon State University. This study continues a 2-year seedling transplant project along an elevation and burn-severity gradient at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. In this field season, our research has two main goals: 1) Investigating the influences of conspecific and heterospecific focal trees on transplanted seedlings' health along an elevation and burn severity gradient. To accomplish this goal, the REU student would assist with data collection, including assessing herbivory, measuring seedling height, and qualitatively evaluating seedlings. 2) Investigating the influences of environmental variables (elevation gradient and burn severity) on natural seedling regeneration. To accomplish this goal, the REU student would assist with seedling counts and monitoring of experimental plots, locating newly sprouted seedlings.

Duties include: 1) learn plant identification in the Pacific Northwest, 2) learn experimental design, 3) conduct understory surveys of vegetation communities, 4) conduct tree resurveys in long-term forest plots, 5) monitor seedling health in experimental seedling plots, 6) collect microclimate data, and 7) communicate and analyze scientific results.

This experience will provide the undergraduate student an opportunity to participate in 10 weeks of mentored, paid, independent research. The student will interact with scientists, university faculty, federal scientists, graduate students, field research technicians, and other undergraduates conducting research in the area. Participants will closely work with graduate student mentors Ruric Bowman, Joe Gagne, and faculty mentors Dr. Joseph LaManna, Dr. Andrew Jones, and Dr. Posy Busby. The REU student will conduct supervised, guided research and will be encouraged to tailor the research project to his/her own interests. Ruric will serve as the day-to-day mentor of the REU, and Dr. LaManna will check in with the student weekly. The other mentors will help as needed and are free to answer questions the REU student may have during the summer.

Apartment-style, shared-room housing is provided at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest field station. The field station is in the Willamette National Forest near Blue River, OR, and provides access to great hiking and mountain-biking trails (a bike would need to be brought), swimming holes, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. The field station community ranges in size seasonally from 40 to 70 residents, and includes permanent staff, longer-term field crews, visiting writers and artists, shorter-term research crews, classes, and conferences. The Lookout Creek watershed contains old-growth coniferous forests, clear, fast streams, and diverse montane meadows. It is a beautiful landscape to work in. There are also challenges associated with the steep terrain and remote location. The nearest town is approximately 1 hour's car drive away. Although a car is not necessary, as other crew members have access to vehicles, it is beneficial to have one. Transportation will be provided to and from research sites within the research forest.

The position lasts for 10 weeks, with expected dates from June 1st through August 13^th, but dates are slightly flexible based on student availability, with at least 40 hours/week. The REU intern will be responsible for 1) meeting all requirements of the mentors and 2) writing a final research report on the research experience. Housing and a $6,000 stipend will be provided. There are funds to defray the cost of traveling to the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. Please note that the REU program is considered an educational program rather than employment; therefore, the university does not provide Worker’s Compensation insurance coverage nor medical insurance on your behalf. You are responsible for your own health insurance coverage.

Position requirements: Applicants should be able to work long days in the field under varying conditions (e.g., cold, rainy, hot, dry), on their feet, navigate mountainous terrain, and carry field equipment. The position will involve working 40 hours a week in the field in various conditions. Applicants should have a strong work ethic, be self-motivated, and be comfortable working in remote areas with small crews. Being a team player is necessary in both fieldwork and living situations. Ability to adapt to a variable work schedule if necessary. Our plots are located on mountain slopes and in burned areas, and some require short hikes to reach.

Eligibility: Limited to currently enrolled undergraduates who have a graduation date no sooner than fall 2026. All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents.

To apply: Please submit a brief cover letter (1 page) indicating your interest, experience, and professional goal after graduation, how this position will help you achieve those goals, curriculum vitae or resume, transcripts (unofficial are acceptable), and 3 professional references (names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) as 1 document to: ruric.bowman@marquette.edu. Please include in the subject: HJA REU 2026 Application. Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will start on April 17^th, 2026, and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Chris Still and the Discovery Tree are featured in a OSU College of Forestry news story, “Discovering change: how the Discovery Tree in the H.J. Andrews experimental forest is helping researchers understand the shifting climate” by Bellamy Lowman: https://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/news/discovering-change-how-discovery-tree-hj-andrews-experimental-forest-helping-researchers

We are looking for one (1) crew lead and three (3) crew members to work on a long-term study of forest dynamics in the Pacific Northwest. We seek individuals who are interested in ecological research and enjoy working outdoors as part of a team. The field crew will navigate off-trail to relocate permanent plots and identify, tag, measure and map trees. The crew will be based at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest where housing is provided at no cost. Some camping will be necessary for sites located in Washington. More information see full job announcement (PDF) or contact Andrew Bluhm, Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, Oregon State University.