Opportunities

We are looking for MA and PhD Students!

We are looking for motivated students to apply to the Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology Department for our PhD and MA programs. If you are interested in joining the lab, please e-mail Maria Diuk-Wasser with your CV and a short statement on: a) your background and research interests; and b) how these interests align with the work of the lab (i.e., what aspect of vector-borne disease eco-epidemiology you would like to work on).

Seeking Tick Research Field Assistants for Summer 2026! APPLICATIONS CLOSED

The Eco-Epidemiology Lab at Columbia University has multiple paid positions for highly motivated Research Interns to assist with field research and outreach activities for the 2026 summer field season. This work will contribute to our long term project studying the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases throughout New York City and Long Island, and creating a tick urban surveillance system (TUSS) intended to inform public health programs.

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):

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

What you will bring:

• A passion for ecology, epidemiology, and/or the natural sciences
• A positive attitude and ability to work in a dynamic team environment
• The ability to work outside in various conditions
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive to field sites within NYC and on Long Island
• Previous field experience is preferred but not required
• NYS residents strongly preferred

This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2026 (May to August). Daily hours may be irregular (due to long travel distances and traffic conditions) and may include weekend work, but weeks will not exceed 35 hours per week. Overnight stays near field sites on Long Island may also be required.

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

Compensation: $23/hour.

To apply, please complete this questionnaire.

Seeking MPH students for Applied Practice Experiences (APEs) in Vector-borne Disease (2025)

Primary responsibilities (one or more of):

• Assist with facilitation of focus groups and needs assessments.
• Assist in synthesis and development of Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions surveys.
• Conduct online and in-person recruitment and surveys of multiple stakeholders.
• Manage public outreach activities (online and in-person), including preparing and distributing announcements and reports, attending public events, and updating social media.
• Assist in ecological studies of tick-borne disease control including tick sampling, managing camera traps, conducting tick and vertebrate image identification.
  This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2025 (May to September).

Please attach the following in a single PDF document with your last name in the subject:

(1) Cover letter outlining relevant experience
(2) Resume/CV

Please provide the full name and position of each of your three references. Please include their phone number and email address in the "Contact Information" section.

Apply here: APPLICACTIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2025. Be sure to check back in 2026!

Application review is on a rolling basis.

Seeking Small Mammal Research Field Assistants for Summer 2026! APPLICATIONS CLOSED

The Eco-Epidemiology Lab at Columbia University has multiple paid positions for highly motivated Research Interns to assist with field research and outreach activities for the 2026 summer field season. This work will contribute to our long term project studying the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases throughout New York City and Long Island, and inform public health programs.

Through this work, the successful candidate will gain experience working in the field conducting sampling of mice and other small mammals (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):

• Conduct small mammal and medium mammal trapping and sampling (previous field and mammal handling experience is required)
• Conduct field collections of ticks
• Conduct ecological assessments of larger public spaces such as parks and preserves
• Coordinate data collection and management with a field crew of 3-4 people
• Manage field notes and datasheets
• Prep field materials (i.e. fill tubes, organize equipment)

What you will bring:

• Previous field experience and mammal handling experience is required
• A passion for ecology, epidemiology, and/or the natural sciences
• A positive attitude and ability to work in a dynamic team environment
• The ability to work outside in various conditions
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive to field sites within NYC and on Long Island is required
• Access to a personal vehicle is desirable (but not required)
• Veterinary (technician) or similar experience is highly desirable
• NYS residents strongly preferred

This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2026 (May to August). Daily hours may be irregular (due to long travel distances and traffic conditions) and may include weekend work, but weeks will not exceed 35 hours per week. Overnight stays near field sites on Long Island may also be required. 

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

Compensation: $23/hour.

To apply, please complete this questionnaire. 

Seeking Avian Research Field Assistants for Summer 2026! APPLICATIONS CLOSED

The Eco-Epidemiology Lab at Columbia University has multiple paid positions for highly motivated Research Interns to assist with field research and outreach activities for the 2026 summer field season. This work will contribute to our long term project studying the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases throughout New York City and Long Island, and inform public health programs.

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):

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

Required qualifications:

• Previous experience handling, extracting birds from mist nets, and banding birds is required
• Available early mornings and weekends, flexible schedule (due to the unpredictable nature of fieldwork)
• The ability to work outside in various weather conditions
• The ability to work in a standing position for long periods of time
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive to field sites within NYC and on Long Island is required

Preferred qualifications:

• Local (NYC) bird identification experience highly preferred
• Previous experience processing and collecting avian blood samples highly preferred
• A passion for ecology, epidemiology, and/or the natural sciences
• A positive attitude and ability to work in a dynamic team environment
• Access to a personal vehicle is desirable (but not required)
• NYS residents strongly preferred

This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2026 (May to August). Daily hours may be irregular (due to long travel distances and traffic conditions) and may include weekend work, but weeks will not exceed 35 hours per week. Overnight stays near field sites on Long Island may also be required. 

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

Compensation: $23/hour

To apply, please complete this questionnaire.