Opportunities

Seeking summer tick research interns for 2025!

The Eco-epidemiology Lab at Columbia University has several paid positions for highly motivated Research Interns to assist with field research and outreach activities for the 2025 field season on a project studying the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases throughout New York City and Long Island. 

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

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.).

Compensation: $22.50/hour.

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

Application review will begin February 2025 and will continue on a rolling basis.

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Seeking summer mammal research interns for 2025!

The Eco-epidemiology Lab at Columbia University has several paid positions for highly motivated Research Interns to assist with field research and outreach activities for the 2025 field season on a project studying the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases throughout New York City and Long Island. 

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):

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

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
• Veterinary (technician) or similar experience is highly desirable
• Previous field experience, especially experience with mammal capturing/handling is required

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.).

Compensation: $22.50/hour.

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

Application review will begin February 2025 and will continue on a rolling basis. 

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Seeking Avian Research Interns for summer 2025!

The Eco-epidemiology Lab at Columbia University has several paid positions for highly motivated Research Interns to assist with field research and outreach activities for the 2025 field season on a project studying the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases throughout New York City and Long Island. 

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 ecological assessments of larger public spaces such as parks and preserves
• Coordinate data collection and management of a field crew of 3-4 people

Required qualifications:

• Previous experience handling, extracting birds from mist nets, and banding birds
• 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

Preferred qualifications:

• Local (NYC) bird identification experience highly preferred
• Previous experience processing and collecting avian blood samples
• A passion for ecology, epidemiology, and/or the natural sciences
• A positive attitude and ability to work in a dynamic team environment
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive to field sites within NYC and on Long Island
• Access to a personal car and a driver's license is strongly desirable

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.).

Compensation: $22.50/hour.

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

Application review will begin February 2025 and will continue on a rolling basis.

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Seeking Urban Tick Surveillance System coordinator!

The Eco-epidemiology Lab at Columbia University is looking for a project coordinator to help coordinate and maintain tick collections and wildlife cameras along an urbanization transect that spans across New York City, from Staten Island to Long Island! This project looks to develop a long-term Tick Urban Surveillance System across New York City through Long Island, NY.

What you will do:

• Coordinate the short-term and long-term goals of the NYC Tick Surveillance transect
• Collect ticks in the field across the transect sites
• Prepare field materials
• Help facilitate the work of tick-collection field teams of up to four personnel
• Deploy, check, and pull wildlife cameras during seasonal deployments
• Maintain inventory of field equipment
• Renew site permits annually
• Maintain relationships with stakeholders
• Maintain organization of digital database of wildlife photos
• Develop various outreach activities
• Engage with stakeholders and maintain relationships
• Coordinate identification of wildlife images through both human efforts and artificial intelligence
• Assist with GIS work and generate maps and reports

What you will bring:

• Strong organizational skills
• A strong interest in urban disease, ecology, epidemiology, and/or the natural sciences
• Basic computer competence (Excel, Word, managing large datasets and files)
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive to field sites within NYC and on Long Island
• GIS and R skills are a plus
• Ability to walk long distances on rough terrain, carrying field equipment, etc.
• Previous field experience is preferred but not required

This is a full-time, 1-year position with potential for renewal. 

This position includes field work during summer fieldwork and deployment seasons. The successful candidate will be capable of working in challenging environmental conditions (e.g. rain, heat, overgrowth, steep slopes, fog, vector-infested habitat, etc.). During the summer months: work weeks will generally be M-F, but occasional weekend work may be required. Overnight stays near field sites on Long Island may 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.

Compensation: $22.50/hour.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/ojn1wtXRbyuRXgwXA

Application review will begin February 2025 and will continue on a rolling basis. 

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Seeking Data Analyst for Human Movement & Tick Risk Study!

The Eco-Epidemiology Lab at Columbia University is seeking a full-time Data Analyst to support research on human mobility, tick exposure risk, and urbanization. This position will focus on analyzing GPS trajectory data and survey responses collected via The Tick App, a smartphone application designed to study human behaviors related to tick exposure risk.

This work is part of the project Measuring Tick Risk Along an Urbanization Gradient, which seeks to understand where and how people encounter ticks during daily outdoor activities and travel across urban landscapes. By integrating geostatistics, spatial modeling, and machine learning approaches, we aim to classify movement patterns and analyze their relationship with tick encounters. The insights gained will help inform strategies for preventing tick-borne diseases.

What You Will Do:

• Process and analyze GPS trajectory data and survey data collected via The Tick App
• Classify human movement patterns using trajectory segmentation and clustering techniques
• Apply geostatistical methods and spatial data analysis to identify environmental risk factors
• Use machine learning (e.g., neural networks) to classify movement patterns and detect outliers
• Develop interactive maps and data visualizations using GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS, R)
• Assist in managing, cleaning, and integrating large spatial and temporal datasets
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and contribute to scientific publications

What You Will Bring:

• Proficiency in R and/or Python for data processing, analysis, and modeling
• Strong experience with GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS, R) for spatial data analysis
• Familiarity with GPS trajectory analysis and mobility pattern classification
• Experience with machine learning methods
• Ability to work with large and complex datasets from epidemiological surveys and citizen science projects
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Interest in vector-borne diseases, epidemiology, and public health (preferred but not required)

This is a full-time position with a workload of 35 hours per week, offering a compensation of $22.50 per hour. While remote work is possible, occasional in-person meetings may be required to support project coordination and collaboration.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/hgXoHE24QSuqTBPy6

Application review will begin February 2025 and will continue on a rolling basis.

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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: https://forms.gle/B6ZkZV8nijaY2yyVA

Application review is on a rolling basis.

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).