Undergraduate Research Assistant - Pollinator Ecology Project

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to promoting the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. As the state botanic garden of Texas, the Wildflower Center is a renowned Austin attraction and a leading national institution in native plant education, sustainable landscaping, land restoration, plant conservation, and research. It boasts the largest living collection of Texas native plants, attracts 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households, and reaches more than 2 million people yearly via its popular native plant database. The Center's vision is to create thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that support wildlife, enhance communities, and ensure long-term ecological resilience. Staff at the Wildflower Center are employees of the University of Texas at Austin, receiving all associated benefits, an annual membership to the Center, discounts on classes, access to events, and discounts at the Shop and Gallery. This role offers an inspiring, collaborative, and beautiful work environment with exceptional colleagues. UT Austin undergraduate students will have the chance to join the Wildflower Center’s research team and contribute to our pollinator ecology project. This position will concentrate on bumble bee monitoring, flower phenology, insect collection, and specimen preparation. The work will be highly collaborative, involving fieldwork, data collection, plant identification, data organization, outreach, and providing support for other conservation projects as needed. Students must be comfortable working outdoors and as part of a team.

Requirements

Must be a current undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin and meet the University's student employment eligibility requirements, including enrollment in at least six (6) semester credit hours for the long semesters (Fall/Spring), unless otherwise eligible under University policy.
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.