Tree Census Interns
The Lab is looking for volunteer tree census interns to help establish a large, permanent forest dynamics plot.
DESCRIPTION: An initial tree census of the 20-Ha Cooks Branch Forest Dynamics Plot in the Cooks Branch Conservancy, near Montgomery, Texas (about an hour southeast of Texas A&M University at College Station), will be carried out in 2026. Volunteer post-bachelor's degree interns seeking field ecology experience will complete the tree census work over 6 months beginning mid-January 2026. After training in census protocols, tree identification, and data management standards, volunteers will work in the forest, measuring and mapping trees within marked grids. Volunteers work together in small groups under the supervision of a field technician, spending workdays in the field (8 am until 4 pm, Monday-Friday, with weekends free) in the outdoor conditions of the East Texas Piney Woods forest.
While in Texas, volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about diverse aspects of forest and savannah ecology, wildlife ecology, and conservation biology from scientists conducting research at Cooks Branch and at the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Hogan and other research personnel will engage in capacity building and mentorship activities with interns.
PROBABLE DURATION: beginning January 15, 2025, with a tentative 6-month appointment (until July 15, 2026).
STIPEND: $1000 per month to cover food and general living expenses.
ACCOMMODATION: Living quarters for the tree census group will be provided in a field house at the Cooks Branch Conservancy, Montgomery. TX. Housing is communal, using shared resources. Transportation will be available.
TRAVEL: Reimbursement of up to $500 (250$ per one-way ticket, if ticket price exceeds 500$) towards a round-trip plane ticket from within the United States.
NOTE: This is an unpaid internship to give post-bachelor's degree individuals hands-on experience in the field. We are unable to provide health insurance.
REQUIREMENTS: College graduates with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, preferably with a background in biology, ecology, or environmental science, field-work experience, and knowledge of plant identification. Experience working in forests with tree/plant inventory is useful but not required. We are currently only considering US citizens and permanent US residents for these opportunities. Applicants must pass a background check.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To be considered, please fill out this online application: https://forms.gle/utABE6A8jV2zJvZ29
Completed applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until positions are filled, with an application end date of December 15th, 2025.
You may email any questions or inquiries about these positions to [email protected].
DESCRIPTION: An initial tree census of the 20-Ha Cooks Branch Forest Dynamics Plot in the Cooks Branch Conservancy, near Montgomery, Texas (about an hour southeast of Texas A&M University at College Station), will be carried out in 2026. Volunteer post-bachelor's degree interns seeking field ecology experience will complete the tree census work over 6 months beginning mid-January 2026. After training in census protocols, tree identification, and data management standards, volunteers will work in the forest, measuring and mapping trees within marked grids. Volunteers work together in small groups under the supervision of a field technician, spending workdays in the field (8 am until 4 pm, Monday-Friday, with weekends free) in the outdoor conditions of the East Texas Piney Woods forest.
While in Texas, volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about diverse aspects of forest and savannah ecology, wildlife ecology, and conservation biology from scientists conducting research at Cooks Branch and at the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Hogan and other research personnel will engage in capacity building and mentorship activities with interns.
PROBABLE DURATION: beginning January 15, 2025, with a tentative 6-month appointment (until July 15, 2026).
STIPEND: $1000 per month to cover food and general living expenses.
ACCOMMODATION: Living quarters for the tree census group will be provided in a field house at the Cooks Branch Conservancy, Montgomery. TX. Housing is communal, using shared resources. Transportation will be available.
TRAVEL: Reimbursement of up to $500 (250$ per one-way ticket, if ticket price exceeds 500$) towards a round-trip plane ticket from within the United States.
NOTE: This is an unpaid internship to give post-bachelor's degree individuals hands-on experience in the field. We are unable to provide health insurance.
REQUIREMENTS: College graduates with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, preferably with a background in biology, ecology, or environmental science, field-work experience, and knowledge of plant identification. Experience working in forests with tree/plant inventory is useful but not required. We are currently only considering US citizens and permanent US residents for these opportunities. Applicants must pass a background check.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To be considered, please fill out this online application: https://forms.gle/utABE6A8jV2zJvZ29
Completed applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until positions are filled, with an application end date of December 15th, 2025.
You may email any questions or inquiries about these positions to [email protected].
Graduate Students
I am recruiting highly motivated Master's and PhD students to begin in Fall 2026.
Texas A&M University is a top-tier research institution with a vibrant academic community and world-class resources. The Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECCB) offers outstanding opportunities for graduate training, with internationally recognized faculty, diverse research programs spanning field, lab, and quantitative approaches, and access to cutting-edge facilities and ecological field sites across Texas and beyond. ECCB fosters a supportive, collaborative environment, with excellent professional development, interdisciplinary partnerships, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Aggies benefit from a large network of alumni, a welcoming campus culture, and life in College Station—an affordable, growing city in the heart of Texas.
My lab is a newly established research group that studies the drivers of tree population and community dynamics, intending to understand the responses of forests to environmental change, disturbance, and management. We are seeking applicants with interests in forest ecology, plant ecophysiology, disturbance, quantitative ecology, ecosystem modeling, and related topics. Prospective projects will include field studies of forest dynamics, analysis of long-term datasets, tree ecophysiological measurements, and analyses/quantitative modeling of large datasets. Students with experience analyzing remote sensing datasets are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications:
Funding:
Competitive funding opportunities (stipend, tuition, and health benefits) are available for qualified students. Identified candidates who are a good fit for the lab are expected to apply for additional funding opportunities within Texas A&M.
Application instructions:
Prospective students should review graduate admissions criteria and instructions for ECCB at Texas A&M: https://eccb.tamu.edu/admissions-and-aid/
Prior to applying, please email me ([email protected]) with:
Application deadlines:
Graduate admissions are currently open, with the ECCB deadline for fall graduate admissions on February 1, 2026. Institutional fellowships (Aviles Johnson, Dishman-Lucas, and MacMillan) open for applications on January 1, 2026, with selections made by February 15. Early inquiries are encouraged!
Texas A&M University is a top-tier research institution with a vibrant academic community and world-class resources. The Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology (ECCB) offers outstanding opportunities for graduate training, with internationally recognized faculty, diverse research programs spanning field, lab, and quantitative approaches, and access to cutting-edge facilities and ecological field sites across Texas and beyond. ECCB fosters a supportive, collaborative environment, with excellent professional development, interdisciplinary partnerships, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Aggies benefit from a large network of alumni, a welcoming campus culture, and life in College Station—an affordable, growing city in the heart of Texas.
My lab is a newly established research group that studies the drivers of tree population and community dynamics, intending to understand the responses of forests to environmental change, disturbance, and management. We are seeking applicants with interests in forest ecology, plant ecophysiology, disturbance, quantitative ecology, ecosystem modeling, and related topics. Prospective projects will include field studies of forest dynamics, analysis of long-term datasets, tree ecophysiological measurements, and analyses/quantitative modeling of large datasets. Students with experience analyzing remote sensing datasets are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in ecology, biology, environmental science, forestry, or related fields
- Relevant research experience (field, lab, analytical, or modeling)
- Strong communication and quantitative skills
Funding:
Competitive funding opportunities (stipend, tuition, and health benefits) are available for qualified students. Identified candidates who are a good fit for the lab are expected to apply for additional funding opportunities within Texas A&M.
Application instructions:
Prospective students should review graduate admissions criteria and instructions for ECCB at Texas A&M: https://eccb.tamu.edu/admissions-and-aid/
Prior to applying, please email me ([email protected]) with:
- A brief statement of your research interests and fit for the lab
- CV or résumé
- Unofficial transcripts
Application deadlines:
Graduate admissions are currently open, with the ECCB deadline for fall graduate admissions on February 1, 2026. Institutional fellowships (Aviles Johnson, Dishman-Lucas, and MacMillan) open for applications on January 1, 2026, with selections made by February 15. Early inquiries are encouraged!