Undergraduate research assistant positions are regularly available in our lab. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm for insect conservation, ecology, and/or sustainable agriculture. If positions are available, they will be listed on this page.  All positions are based in Madison, WI, with summer positions requiring frequent day travel around southern and central Wisconsin (using University vehicles).

Currently available positions:

• We’re currently hiring for the 2024 field season! Please visit this page for more information and to apply.

We generally have two types of opportunities available for undergraduate students:

• Semester or full academic year
  • Usually unpaid, part-time. Compensation is 1-2 course credits (independent study) for 5-10 hours per week. There may be opportunities for hourly pay (~$15/hour) in future semesters and summers. Students who work with us for a semester or academic year often do so to complete their Biology 152 Independent Project or senior thesis. 
  • Availability of semester or academic year opportunities is dependent on current projects, but feel free to contact us at any time. 
  • If you are interested in working in our lab group but unavailability of paid opportunities is a barrier to you gaining research experience, please reach out to us to discuss options. For example, we could apply for undergraduate research funding such as the Hilldale Research Fellowship or Sophomore Research Fellowship. Check out the campus-wide Undergraduate Academic Awards page for additional opportunities. 
• Summer
  • Typically paid, full-time. Seasonal field assistants work 30-40 hours/week and are compensated with hourly pay (~$15/hour). Availability of positions is dependent on current research grant funding. These positions begin around June 1, and continue for 10 to 16 weeks (depending on the position).
  • We typically start recruiting in February for summer positions, but feel free to contact us at any time.  Students will be exposed to a diversity of exciting projects related to the landscape ecology of insects and arthropods in agricultural landscapes.
  • We encourage summer field assistants to develop independent research projects that can then be completed during the following Fall semester or academic year.
  • Summer positions require a valid US driver’s license and ability to obtain driver authorization from UW Risk Management (see “Requirement Criteria”).

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.  Our lab aims to make science and ecology more inclusive of people of all identities, and we strongly encourage people of color, and people of all genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds to apply.  See our full equity and inclusion statement on our website.

Need help with crafting your resume?  Contact the UW Writing Center (https://writing.wisc.edu/) for great advice or see the Purdue Online Writing Lab.