Research Asst. - Insect Curation and Bird Nests - M. Akresh [Work Study]

Graduate School of Leadership and Change | Antioch University; Keene (NH); Remote; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Graduate School of Leadership and Change at Antioch University seeks research assistants to support insect-habitat research and bird nest studies in forests across the Northeastern USA. The role involves pinning specimens, photographing moths, identifying species, and compiling datasets with a focus on accuracy.

You will work with AUNE faculty and collaborators, spending about 60 hours per week across lab work (insect handling, imaging, data entry) and 20 hours per week on nest research.

Qualifications

• Interest in insect communities and bird nests research.
• Excellent data management and organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist with insect and bird nest research in Northeastern forests.
• Pin, photograph, and identify insect specimens; count moths per trap-night.
• Organize data, upload photos to iNaturalist, and manage datasets in Excel.
• Support GIS and statistical analyses as needed.

Skills

Insect habitat research

Data management

Excel

R

ArcGIS

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Federal work study funds

Tools

Excel

R

ArcGIS

Job description

Applicants

• Applicants must be enrolled students at Antioch University living in the United States*

• Applicants must be enrolled students at Antioch University living in the United States*

Start Date: 8/31/2026

End Date: 6/30/2027

Number of Positions: 3

Hours per Week: 60

Weekends Required: No

Evenings Required: No

Supervisor: Michael Akresh

Alternate Supervisor: Peter Palmiotto

This position allows for remote work Yes/No: Yes

Percentage of time that could be remote (0-100%): 80%, see below

Method to assess remote work: Supervisor will be in weekly communication with the students to monitor that the work is being completed. Supervisor will check insects that are being pinned, bird nests dissected, and data filled out. Through the above communication and checking, the supervisor will be able to assess if the work hours on task are accurately represented (given the amount of time it should take to complete the work). One outcome will be a collection of pinned and labelled insects (e.g., moths) and photographed insects. A second outcome will be completed datasets (e.g., moth counts, bird nest materials, etc.). The students will learn how to conduct research on insects and birds, and improve their data management skills.

Job Description

• Assistants are needed to help with ongoing research on insect-habitat relationships and bird nest composition in forests in the Northeastern USA.
• The research assistants will work with AUNE faculty and other collaborators. Lab work will entail pinning insect specimens (mostly moths), photographing moths from trap samples, identifying insects to species, and counting moths per trap-night (30 hours/wk).
• Additional work includes organizing and managing collected data (e.g., taking pictures of collected insects and uploading these pictures to iNaturalist, organizing data in Excel), writing up summary reports, and potentially assisting with GIS and statistical analyses on the data (10 hours/week).
• Additional work will help with ongoing research on the structure and composition of bird nests (20 hours/wk).
• Assistant will measure, deconstruct, and weigh bird nests of various species.

Qualifications

• Interest in research that focuses on insect communities and/or bird nests
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent data management and organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Quantitative skills; ability to use Excel, and some familiarity and experience with using R and ArcGIS would be an added benefit
• Federal work study funds

Does this position meet the definition of Community Service? No

Position Type: Work Study

Department: ES