Ornithology Job Opportunity in northern Michigan
Field Assistants Job Posting
The lab of Professor Ben Winger at University of Michigan (www.wingerlab.org) is seeking multiple field technicians to assist in capturing and deploying geolocators on migratory songbirds. This study, based at the University of Michigan Biological Station and the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, aims to use geolocator technology to track the seasonal migration of a suite of migratory songbirds that breed in the boreal forests of northern Michigan. This position provides an opportunity to learn fundamental field ornithological techniques. This position starts approximately May 23 and runs as late as July 10, 2024 (end date potentially negotiable, as not all technicians will be needed for the full duration). Primary duties include working in a small team to set up and monitor target mist nets, capturing and banding adult songbirds, assisting the field lead in deploying geolocators on songbirds, and data entry. The technician will work closely with the field leader (PhD students) in organizing and planning field excursions.
Qualifications include the ability to work cooperatively in a small team in the field, an interest in avian field ecology research, a willingness to work in remote and rural areas of northern Michigan (with other members of the field crew), and the ability to handle small birds carefully and responsibly. Experience identifying, mist-netting and banding songbirds is desirable, though this position will also involve training in these areas and prior experience is not essential. Applicants must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and be comfortable driving vehicles in remote locations on dirt and gravel roads. Applicants must also have tolerance for adverse field conditions (including bushwhacking, biting insects, cold mornings, and precipitation), be willing to live in shared housing at a rustic, isolated biological station, and demonstrate a commitment to safe field practices and behavior.
A typical week consists of six days of work and one day off per week, with workdays typically commencing early in the morning and concluding early afternoon. There is a possibility of short camping trips to deploy geolocators in other parts of northern Michigan that are further from housing. A stipend of $350-$400 per week (depending on prior experience) will be provided, plus on-site housing and a subsidization of food cost. We are seeking multiple field technicians at the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation near Marquette, MI (possibility of one roommate, kitchen available, no pets, no smoking), and one field technician at the University of Michigan Biological Station near Pellston, MI (1-2 roommates, no pets, no smoking, meals included). More information on life at UMBS, including lodging and dining, is found here: https://lsa.umich.edu/umbs/living-at-umbs.html. More information on the Huron Mountain field station is found here: https://www.hmwf.org/about-hmwf-2/field-station/
To apply, please email a single PDF file of your cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references to Matthew Hack, at [email protected], and Max Witynski, at [email protected], in an email titled “Geolocator Field Technician." Review of positions will begin March 1, 2025.
The lab of Professor Ben Winger at University of Michigan (www.wingerlab.org) is seeking multiple field technicians to assist in capturing and deploying geolocators on migratory songbirds. This study, based at the University of Michigan Biological Station and the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, aims to use geolocator technology to track the seasonal migration of a suite of migratory songbirds that breed in the boreal forests of northern Michigan. This position provides an opportunity to learn fundamental field ornithological techniques. This position starts approximately May 23 and runs as late as July 10, 2024 (end date potentially negotiable, as not all technicians will be needed for the full duration). Primary duties include working in a small team to set up and monitor target mist nets, capturing and banding adult songbirds, assisting the field lead in deploying geolocators on songbirds, and data entry. The technician will work closely with the field leader (PhD students) in organizing and planning field excursions.
Qualifications include the ability to work cooperatively in a small team in the field, an interest in avian field ecology research, a willingness to work in remote and rural areas of northern Michigan (with other members of the field crew), and the ability to handle small birds carefully and responsibly. Experience identifying, mist-netting and banding songbirds is desirable, though this position will also involve training in these areas and prior experience is not essential. Applicants must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and be comfortable driving vehicles in remote locations on dirt and gravel roads. Applicants must also have tolerance for adverse field conditions (including bushwhacking, biting insects, cold mornings, and precipitation), be willing to live in shared housing at a rustic, isolated biological station, and demonstrate a commitment to safe field practices and behavior.
A typical week consists of six days of work and one day off per week, with workdays typically commencing early in the morning and concluding early afternoon. There is a possibility of short camping trips to deploy geolocators in other parts of northern Michigan that are further from housing. A stipend of $350-$400 per week (depending on prior experience) will be provided, plus on-site housing and a subsidization of food cost. We are seeking multiple field technicians at the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation near Marquette, MI (possibility of one roommate, kitchen available, no pets, no smoking), and one field technician at the University of Michigan Biological Station near Pellston, MI (1-2 roommates, no pets, no smoking, meals included). More information on life at UMBS, including lodging and dining, is found here: https://lsa.umich.edu/umbs/living-at-umbs.html. More information on the Huron Mountain field station is found here: https://www.hmwf.org/about-hmwf-2/field-station/
To apply, please email a single PDF file of your cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references to Matthew Hack, at [email protected], and Max Witynski, at [email protected], in an email titled “Geolocator Field Technician." Review of positions will begin March 1, 2025.