Opportunities for Summer 2020

To apply, please visit this link: https://go.wisc.edu/3k2554.

Applications are due March 1.

The Gratton Lab in the Entomology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is now accepting applications for full-time seasonal field assistant positions to begin around June 1, 2020, or earlier, and continue for 10 to 16 weeks (depending on the position). Our lab studies the links between insects, landscapes, and their conservation in support of healthy ecosystems and human well being.  Specific projects are listed on the following page, though assistants may work across multiple projects. All positions are based in Madison with frequent travel around southern and central Wisconsin. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm for insect conservation, ecology, and/or sustainable agriculture.

Position: Student field assistant (multiple available). Pay rate: $10-13/hour

Start date/duration: Full-time seasonal position for ~10-12 weeks between May and August

Position: Non-student field technician (multiple available). Pay rate: $14-15/hr

Start date/duration: Full-time seasonal position for ~12-16 weeks between May and September

Job responsibilities: 

• Handle & identify plants and insects in the field
• Collect, record, & process data 
• Maintain field equipment
• Be willing to work in challenging conditions (high temperatures, buggy, steep slopes, tall vegetation, heavy pollen, etc.)
• Work independently & collaborate with a team
• Drive to & from field sites (<50 miles of Madison)
• Some projects may require long hours or weekend work

Requirements:

• Valid US driver’s license and ability to obtain driver authorization from UW Risk Management. (http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/risk_mgt/drivetable.html)
• Attention to detail and ability to stay focused on tedious or repetitive tasks
• Coursework or interest in ecology, biology, entomology, or related fields
• Ability to work independently and with others
• Experience with or willingness to learn insect handling, inclinding bees, and processing techniques
• Enjoy being outside, comfortable working in hot/humid conditions.

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:  http://gratton.entomology.wisc.edu/equity-inclusion-statement/

Applications are due on March 1, 2020.   

To apply, please visit this link: https://go.wisc.edu/3k2554. If you have any questions or have trouble submitting the form, please contact Taylor Tai (tmtai@wisc.edu).

Gratton Lab at UW-Madison – 2020 Project Descriptions

Pollinator habitat value

Project lead: Hannah Gaines Day

Investigating the value of pollinator habitat to crop pollination and yield on small, mixed vegetable farms.  We will do pollinator observations, take floral measurements, and assess pollination success.

Honey bee landscape ecology and cranberries

Project lead: Hannah Gaines Day

Studying how habitat in the surrounding landscape influences the health and survival of commercial honey bee hives after providing pollination services to cranberry.  We will visit cranberry marshes in central Wisconsin and commercial bee yards across southwest Wisconsin to extract data from in-hive sensors and take measurements of hive health.  Beekeeping experience preferred but not required.

The impact of prescribed fire on bumble bees

Project Lead: Taylor Tai (taylortai.com)

Our team will investigate the impact of prescribed fire on bumble bee overwintering, foraging, and nesting behavior. This work takes place on prairies, where we’ll be trying out a variety of methods for surveying and tracking bees back to their nests. We will also discuss scientific papers, prepare field equipment, and begin preliminary data analysis on days with poor weather.

Bumble bees in urban landscapes

Project Lead: Taylor Tai (taylortai.com)

We will capture and identify bumble bees across prairies, suburban neighborhoods, and city blocks to investigate how urbanization impacts their populations. Our team will also discuss scientific papers, prepare field equipment, and begin preliminary data analysis on days with poor weather.

Butterfly landscape ecology and grazing management

Project Lead: Skye Harnsberger

Researching how grazing management techniques affect butterfly abundance & diversity. We will visit grazed and natural grasslands to conduct surveys on plant and butterfly communities. 

Lady beetle (“ladybug”) landscape ecology and resource complementation

Project Lead: Ben Iuliano

Researching how various crops and natural habitats provide different patterns of prey resources affecting  lady beetle abundance, health, and biological control potential. We will conduct insect & plant surveys on farms and in natural areas across southern Wisconsin.

We regularly hire and mentor undergraduate students interested in research projects going on in the lab.  We regularly seek students for summer paid work opportunities.  If they are available, they will be listed below.  We typically start our 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’re especially interested in recruiting students who are early in their college career and may be interested in working with us for several summers or conducting independent research in the lab in the future.  This is a great opportunity to gain research experience and interact with graduate students.

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