Skip to Content

Search: {{$root.lsaSearchQuery.q}}, Page {{$root.page}}

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.

2024 Opportunity: Undergraduate Research Experience for U-M Student

Dr. Ola Fincke is looking for an undergraduate EEB or PitE major at the University of Michigan interested in getting field experience at the University of Michigan Biological Station from June 17 to July 17, 2024, working with damselflies and dragonflies.

Fincke is a behavioral and evolutionary ecologist who uses damselflies to ask questions about the evolution of reproductive strategies. Her past research at UMBS has focused on the evolution of female-specific color polymorphisms in Enallagma damselflies. This summer, her lab will be directly testing whether males learn to identify the two female color morphs as potential mates. On non-sunny days when the damselflies are inactive, the researchers will be censusing the effects of invasive zebra mussels on the fitness of native dragonflies, as part of a long-term study.

The student will work with two senior scientists. Field days run typically from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a break for lunch, 5-6 days/week. Although Fincke is unable to provide salary, room and board will be provided by UMBS; co-authorship on any paper resulting from this work also will be offered.

For more information about the project, see the project on MField.  

How to Apply: Please submit a CV and contact information for two people who can provide references over the phone to Dr. Ola Fincke at fincke@ou.edu.