Research assistant position – Western Monarch Ecology (seasonal with potential to extend for a full year)

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to assist with research on western monarch butterflies. Focal responsibilities include

• systematic monitoring in eastern Oregon and Washington to determine seasonal timing of monarch breeding as part of range-wide study across the west
• assisting with field experiments aimed at developing management and restoration approaches for western monarch,
• and supporting tasks such as communications with site managers and preparing data for reports.

Our research is part of a collaborative project with researchers at the University of California Davis and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation with opportunities to interact with project students and staff across the institutions. This is an ideal position for a current or recent undergrad who is considering graduate school in ecology or a career in conservation. This is a seasonal position with the potential to extend for a full year.  The field season starts in May/June and ends in September.  Lodging in the field will be provided. On campus, our work will be in the new Vancouver Life Sciences Building, which opens in May 2024.

The Conservation Biology Lab of Dr. Cheryl Schultz uses a population ecology lens to gain understanding of the ecology of at-risk species to develop conservation and restoration responses to global change. Our work largely focuses on at-risk butterflies in the Pacific Northwest as a model system to address broad ecological questions as well as advance conservation on-the-ground.

The Conservation Biology lab embraces open and equitable access to opportunities for scientific learning and development, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender and gender expression, age, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, religious/non-religious beliefs, socio-economic class, or any other differences that have been the basis for oppression, misunderstanding or bias.

Interested applicants should send a CV/resume and a cover letter describing past research experience, future interests and three references we can contact to Dr. Cheryl Schultz, schultzc@wsu.edu  Please include “Research Assistant – Western Monarch” and your name in the subject line of the email.

Washington State University Vancouver is a small campus in the WSU system located in Southwest Washington just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon and is close to Willamette Valley and South Puget Sound prairies.  Washington State University Vancouver is in the homeland of Chinookan and Taidnapam peoples and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. https://www.vancouver.wsu.edu

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply. WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.