Undergraduate Research Assistant - Pollinator Project

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

7d • $18 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation of native plants through its garden, education, research and outreach programs. Founded by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes in 1982, the Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, sustainable landscapes, land restoration and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants in the state, welcomes over 276,000 visitors annually, has over 17,000 members and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its website and plant database. The Center is focused on improving landscapes, promoting biodiversity, and connecting people with our environment. Wildflower Center staff get free parking and annual membership, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center featured events, and discounts at the Gift Store and Wildflower Café. An inspiring and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.
Purpose
UT Austin undergraduate students will have the opportunity to join the Wildflower Center’s research team and work on our new pollinator project. This position will focus on bumble bee monitoring, flower phenology, insect collection, and specimen preparation. Work will be highly collaborative and will include conducting fieldwork, data collection, plant identification, data organization, outreach, and supporting other conservation projects as needed. Students must be comfortable spending time outside and working as part of a team.

Requirements

• Current enrollment at UT Austin as an undergraduate.
• Must either be enrolled in 3 credit hours during the spring of 2026, or must have completed at least 6 credit hours during the fall 2025 semester.
• Demonstrated interest in ecology, botany, environmental science, sustainability, or related field.
• Willingness to work individually and as part of a team.
• Willingness to work outside in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and humidity.
• Current Texas class C driver’s license.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• Research experience (field or lab).

Responsibilities

• Research activities (field-based data collection, lab work, data entry etc.) related to pollinator ecology. Students will be paired with mentors depending on their project.
• Assist with research activities outside core focus area. This work will be highly collaborative and interdisciplinary, and may be involve assisting graduate students or other researchers from the University of Texas in the field or lab as needed.
• Regular meetings with Wildflower Center research mentors.
• Occasional participation in outreach or community engagement events. Students will assist with tours, lessons, or educational tabling as needed.
• Presentation of ongoing or completed projects during lab meeting and/or Science Symposium at end of the semester.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Wildflower Center staff get free parking and annual membership, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center featured events, and discounts at the Gift Store and Wildflower Café.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees