The climate is becoming more variable, not only with increased frequency of extreme events but also with a higher temporal resolution on scale of hours to days. Climate change effects are more pronounced in the Arctic which is at high risk of releasing large amounts of CO2 from melting permafrost, so determining how Arctic plants respond to global change will be crucial in understanding the future of the Arctic. Plants have been shown to adapt to new growth temperatures, but it is unknown how this acclimation response will change if there is variability accompanying an increase in mean temperature. In this project, we elucidate the effects of growth temperature variability on the ability to acclimate to higher mean temperatures of Arctic plants. The undergraduate job would involve taking care of plants and conducting gas exchange measurements on them.

Through this work, the successful candidate will gain experience working in the field conducting tick collection and identification, general field-research techniques, and science engagement with the public.

What you will do (one or more of):

1. Conduct field collections of ticks in a variety of NYC and Long Island greenspaces
2. Conduct data collection
3. Manage field notes and datasheets
4. Prep field materials (i.e. fill tubes, organize equipment)
5. Work as a part of a field crew of 3-4 people
6. Engage with the park-going public and answer questions about our work

This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2025 (May to July). Work weeks are generally M-F and weekends, weather depending. Overnight stays near field sites on Long Island will also be required. Hotel or Airbnb accommodation will be provided. Daily hours may be irregular and may include weekend work, but weeks will not exceed 35 hours per week.

This will be a fieldwork-intensive position. Hires should be capable of working in challenging environmental conditions (e.g. rain, heat, overgrowth, steep slopes, fog, vector-infested habitat, etc.).

Apply here: https://forms.gle/pMxMrVNu2dhuKJwX6

If you have more questions, you're also welcomed to contact Richie Konowal (crk2167@columbia.edu) besides the graduate student listed here

Through this work, the successful candidate will gain experience working in the field conducting avian sampling (including mist-netting, IDing, banding, processing, and blood collection), general field research techniques, and science engagement with the public.

What you will do (one or more of):

1. Participate in avian point counts
2. Conduct avian banding surveys using mist nets
3. Collect and process avian biological samples
4. Collect and process bird-attached ticks
5. Conduct ecological assessments of larger public spaces such as parks and preserves
6. Coordinate data collection and management of a field crew of 3-4 people

This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2025 (May to September). Work weeks are generally M–F, but occasional weekend work may be required. Daily hours may be irregular, but weeks will not exceed 35 hours per week.

This will be a fieldwork-intensive position, so RAs should be capable of working in challenging environmental conditions (e.g. rain, heat, overgrowth, steep slopes, fog, vector-infested habitat, etc.).

Apply here: https://forms.gle/eR2Yw7QKexdDjrE3A

If you have more questions, you're also welcomed to contact Richie Konowal (crk2167@columbia.edu) besides the graduate student listed here

Through this work, the successful candidate will gain experience working in the field conducting mammal sampling of raccoons, mice, etc. (including trapping, processing, and tissue & blood collection), general field-research techniques, and science engagement with the public.

What you will do (one or more of):

1. Conduct small mammal and medium mammal trapping and sampling
2. Conduct occasional field collections of ticks
3. Conduct ecological assessments of larger public spaces such as parks and preserves
4. Work as a part of a field crew of 2-4 people
5. Manage field notes and datasheets
6. Prep field materials (i.e. fill tubes, organize equipment)

This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2025 (July to September). Work weeks are fluid and weather dependent and will likely include weekend work. Daily hours will be irregular (early morning, evenings and weekends), but weeks will not exceed 35 hours per week. Overnight stays at Long Island and Staten Island field sites will also be required. Hotel or Airbnb accommodation will be provided.

This will be a fieldwork-intensive position, so RAs should be capable of working in challenging environmental conditions (e.g. heat, overgrowth, steep slopes, fog, vector-infested habitat, etc.).

Apply here: https://forms.gle/89bzqPaKgKGWbM1F8

If you have more questions, you're also welcomed to contact Richie Konowal (crk2167@columbia.edu) besides the graduate student listed here

Black-chinned and ruby-throated hummingbirds hybridize where their ranges overlap in Texas and Oklahoma. The main morphological difference between these species is the color of males' iridescent throat feathers. Males in both species perform complex acrobatic courtship displays in which they expose their iridescent throats to females. Because iridescent color appearance depends on both the illumination and viewing angles, the appearance of a male’s throat feathers may change throughout his acrobatic display from the perspective of the female. This research will help us understand the role iridescent color may play in speciation in these hummingbirds. You will gain experience in spectrophotometry.

Flowers are cool, aren't they? A group of flowers called Pedicularis, known for its exceptional floral diversity, might just become your new favorite plants. The goal of this project is to build a dataset of Pedicularis floral morphological traits using a 3D modeling approach. Here is a subset of the floral 3D models we have so far: https://sketchfab.com/eatonlab/models You'll learn how to create 3D models like those on the website from photos using the software Agisoft Metashape.

We will be performing a reciprocal transplant using eggs from geographically separate populations to discern the plasticity of migration timing in Purple Martins. This research will help us to understand the threat of climate change for Purple Martins due to phenological mismatch. Tasks undergraduates may assist with include nest monitoring; performing reciprocal transplants; working with Motus towers and the Motus website; trapping, measuring, bleeding, banding, and tagging all age classes; data entry and quality checking; and helping to prepare field equipment for transplants, banding, and tagging.