Paid Undergraduate Research Internship UMD Global Ecology Lab
The Campus Forest Carbon Project 2.0
Sponsoring Organizations: Department of Geographical Sciences with support from the UMD Office of Sustainability and Campus Sustainability Fund.
Internship Term: 10/hrs per week during Fall 2025, with potential opportunity for renewal
Compensation: $20/hr
Project Description:
This project will advance the topic of forest carbon monitoring and modeling in the context of greenhouse gas emissions reporting and climate mitigation planning on the University of Maryland campus. Using the same system implemented by the state, this project applies updated methodology at the campus level to inform forest carbon fluxes for the University’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) 3.0, President’s Climate Commitment, and address the University's commitment to the state’s 5 Million Tree Initiative. Specifically, over the next two years (2025-2027) we will update, improve and extend the initial work done by the previous iteration of the Campus Forest Carbon Project to report and analyze campus forest carbon fluxes and the potential for future land-based carbon sequestration. Student involvement, leadership, and research opportunities on campus as well as engagement with students across other campuses. This project will provide undergraduate students with professional opportunities and skills foundational to future careers related to sustainability. By collaborating with the Office of Sustainability and the Campus Arboretum, this project will foster relationships across campus.
Faculty and students in the Department of Geographical Sciences have already been working with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, under the guidance of NASA’s Carbon Monitoring System, to implement this carbon monitoring science at the State level and advance the goals of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act. Further, we have begun to work with member states of the U.S. Climate Alliance, including Maryland, to implement this same technology in support of states’ annual carbon budgeting. By utilizing student support, we can help the University advance our own forest climate goals in parallel with the state of Maryland and other U.S. Climate Alliance states. The scope of this work also provides an opportunity for UMD to influence the carbon budgeting process of all universities that have pledged support for the “Carbon Commitment”.
More information about the project can be found here: https://geog.umd.edu/node/9552
Position Description:
We are looking for undergraduate research assistants to join our team. Undergraduate students work on the development of all proposed deliverables with support from an undergraduate PI, GEOG faculty members, and graduate students with experience implementing this work at larger spatial scales. When working, student researchers will have access to the computational resources of the Department of Geographical Sciences, allowing students to work in a collaborative and research-focused, professional environment. Specifically, we will provide access to the Department’s Global Ecology Lab to maximize student interaction with faculty, graduate students and staff. Applicants should be comfortable working independently and in coordination with a research team.
Preferred Skill Set:
Experience with ArcGIS
Ability to work independently and in coordination with a research team
Strong writing and analytical skills
Strong oral communication skills
Programming experience with Python or R
Background or interest in environmental science and policy applications
Required Application Materials:
A brief cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position
Resume/CV
A copy of your unofficial transcript
Contact information for two references who can speak to your work ethic and prior research or work experience
Application Deadline: September 15th, 2025
All questions and application materials can be sent to Natalie Rosenthal at natalier@umd.edu.
Please put “Campus Forest Carbon Project 2.0 Application” and your name in the subject line of the email.