Undergraduate Research Assistantship - Trees

Position: Undergraduate Research Assistantship - Small Trees
Exact schedule to be determined with the supervisor. The student will work 5-8 hours per week, with hours distributed weekly to ensure regular paychecks throughout the academic year .

About the Institution

Ranked in the top 9% of private US colleges that provide the best return on tuition investment, Pace University transforms the lives of its diverse students-academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. Currently, the University enrolls more than 13,000 students in more than 150 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Pace University is at the forefront of creating opportunity. Through the convergence of strong academics, experiential learning, and dedicated advising, Pace University empowers its students and positively impacts its communities.

AA/EEO Statement

Pace University is committed to achieving full equal opportunity in all aspects of University life. Pursuant to this commitment, the University does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived sex, gender or gender identity; race; color; national origin; religion; creed; age; disability; citizenship; marital or domestic partnership status; sexual orientation or affectional status; genetic predisposition or carrier status; military or veteran status;

status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking; or any other characteristic protected by law federal, state or local law, rule or regulation.

Annual Security Report Notice

Pace is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the students, faculty, staff and visitors to the University. In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University's Safety and Security department publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which can be accessed here. The report contains information on security policies as well as crime and fire statistics for the University.

Serve as an undergraduate research assistant on the project:
Biomass estimation of "small" trees using truncated probability distributions.

The contribution of small trees (seedlings and saplings with diameter at breast height under certain threshold) to ecosystems is understudied due to the lack of individual size data. In this project we aim to tackle this question using the tree data from the Barro Colorado Island, Panama to project the biomass contribution of small trees. We use truncated probability distribution models to extrapolate the projected small tree sizes and abundances, and validate the results against the seedling/sapling data from the same forest.

Findings from this project will inform forest management about the importance of small trees in forest ecosystems.

The research assistant will:

1. Download and manage tree size data from multiple sources

2. Assist in code writing for statistical analysis

3. Assist in manuscript writing and revision

4. Disseminate research outcomes through conferences and publication

* You must have Work Study funding added to your awards BEFORE applying for this position. You are potentially eligible for Work Study if you are a US Citizen or permanent resident, have filed a FAFSA, are enrolled in at least 6 credits, and are in good academic standing.

This position requires the following:

* Must be Work Study eligible

* Introductory statistics

* Familiarity with basic data analysis

* Desire to improve their skills in interdisciplinary data science

Instructions to find your Work Study eligibility status:

* Log into your My Pace Portal  and click on Student Home and then the "Financial Aid" box (middle of screen).

* Once in Financial Aid, select the "Award Offer" tab and the correct Award Year.

* Scroll down to "Options to Pay Net Cost" and take a screenshot of the funds that are allocated specifically to Work Study for the academic year. Make sure your name is captured in the screenshot, then upload the screenshot, and submit it along with your application.

* If these details are not available in the "Award Offer" section of your profile, you are NOT currently eligible for Work Study funding. If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, and you have filed a FAFSA, you can open a Help Desk ticket with Financial Aid to determine your Work Study eligibility.