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Ecology Research Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wayne State University

Research Assistant

Detroit, MI · On-site

$42K/yr

Research Assistant Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant at its ... Interest in climate change, environmental sciences, ecological stewardship, and environmental ...

Brown University

$17.50 - $24/hr

Research Assistant Department: Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Grade: Grade 8 Worker Type: Employee Worker Sub-Type : Fixed Term (Fixed Term) Time Type: Full time Scheduled ...

The Pennsylvania State University

$15 - $19/hr

The Sweetman Lab in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management is seeking a lab assistant position for research examining the impact of macroplastic pollution on freshwater ecosystems in ...

The Pennsylvania State University

$16/hr

We are recruiting research assistants for the Lowry Weed Ecology Lab to assist with experiments in both the field and greenhouse. Job duties to include: * collection and processing of plant and soil ...

The Pennsylvania State University

$19 - $26/hr

... research assistant to help with projects in forest ecology and management. Most work will be at local research sites and include forest measurements, tree-ring sampling, and research site maintenance ...

State of Louisiana

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Baton Rouge, LA

$45K - $65K/yr

... assistants and volunteers. In addition to research responsibilities, the technician will ... Ecology, Oceanography, Chemistry, or a related field. Experience This is an entry-level position ...

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Ecology Research Assistant information

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How much do ecology research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for ecology research assistant in the United States is $21.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Ecology Research Assistant vs Environmental Technician?

AspectEcology Research AssistantEnvironmental Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in ecology, biology, or related fieldAssociate's or bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field sites, universitiesFieldwork, environmental monitoring sites, government agencies
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, universities, environmental NGOsGovernment agencies, consulting firms, environmental services
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between an Ecology Research Assistant and an Environmental Technician lies in their focus and work environment. Ecology Research Assistants primarily conduct research in labs and field sites related to ecological studies, often working in academic or research institutions. Environmental Technicians tend to focus on environmental monitoring, data collection, and compliance in field settings, often employed by government or consulting firms. Both roles require related educational backgrounds, but their job functions and work settings differ significantly.

What does an Ecology Research Assistant do?

An Ecology Research Assistant supports scientists in studying ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental impacts. Their tasks often include collecting field data, conducting laboratory analyses, managing samples, and recording observations. They may also help with literature reviews, data entry, and preparing reports or presentations. This role is essential in advancing ecological research and informing conservation efforts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Ecology Research Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Ecology Research Assistant, you need a solid background in biological or environmental sciences, data collection, and statistical analysis, often supported by a bachelor's degree in ecology or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, field sampling equipment, and data analysis programs like R or SPSS is typically required. Strong observational skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities help you excel in field and lab environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for conducting accurate research and contributing valuable insights to ecological studies.

What are some common fieldwork challenges faced by Ecology Research Assistants, and how can they be managed?

Ecology Research Assistants often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather, difficult terrain, and the need to work long or irregular hours in remote locations. Managing these challenges involves thorough preparation—packing appropriate gear, staying updated on weather forecasts, and maintaining strong communication with team members. Flexibility and adaptability are key traits, as is attention to safety protocols to handle unexpected situations in the field. Building experience over time helps assistants become more efficient and confident in overcoming these obstacles.
More about Ecology Research Assistant jobs
What cities are hiring for Ecology Research Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Ecology Research Assistant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Ecology Research jobs? The most popular types of Ecology Research jobs are:
What states have the most Ecology Research Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for Ecology Research Assistant jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Ecology Research Assistant jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ecology Research Assistant jobs are:
Ecology Research Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ecology Research Assistant job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,571 per year, or $21.9 per hour.
Seasonal Research Assistants

Seasonal Research Assistants

The Land Institute

Salina, KS • On-site

$14 - $18/hr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Research Assistant - Temporary
Who We Are + What We Do
The Land Institute co-leads the global movement for perennial, diverse, regenerative grain agriculture at a scale that matches the enormity of the intertwined climate, water, and food security crises. An independent 501c3 non-profit founded in 1976, the organization seeks to reconcile the human economy with nature's economy, starting with food. The transdisciplinary team of scientists, together with global partners, is developing new perennial grain crops, like Kernza©, and diverse cropping systems that function within nature's limits while researching the social transformation required for a just, perennial human future.
Annual Seasonal Positions:
  • General Research Assistant | Harvest Season: September-December 2026
  • General Research Assistant | Winter Season: January-April 2027
  • One Full Time Perennial Wheat Research Assistant | July 6 or July 20 - October 31, 2026
  • One Full Time Soil Ecology Research Assistant 5-11 months | July 20/August 2026 - ending by June 2027

Positions Summary
We seek individuals with full-time availability to serve as Research Assistants. This role involves participating in seasonal research activities across all TLI programs, including planting, harvesting, weeding, threshing, plant tissue collection, data entry, lab maintenance, and greenhouse work. Assistants work primarily eight hour days, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour lunch break, scheduled weekly by research programs as needed. Some individuals may be assigned to a certain lab or task as a program specific research assistant. The position provides diverse hands-on experience while requiring flexibility to perform manual, repetitive tasks both indoors and outdoors for extended periods.
Primary Responsibilities + Expectations:
  • Help researchers conduct field and lab work which may sometimes involve repetitive tasks or sitting/standing for long periods of time as well as working in extreme heat.
  • Follow field and lab safety procedures and voice any safety concerns when warranted
  • Participate in educational events such as research seminars, group training, field trips, and in-person and virtual meetings.
  • Participate in fieldwork with other staff, post-bacs, and trainees to gain experience working with multiple perennial grain crops.
  • Ask questions, share interests, and engage with other TLI employees

Who You Are:
  • At the start of the position, you must be at least 16 years of age
  • Interest in agriculture, ecology, plants, and soils
  • Intellectual curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning
  • Good communication skills, both written and oral
  • Basic math skills and numerical literacy
  • Computer literacy: able to use word processing and spreadsheet applications
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where some guidance and standardization exist
  • Ability to follow instructions, including written safety warnings
  • Legible handwriting and accurate labeling are required skills
  • Ability and willingness to provide and/or diligently use provided personal health and protective equipment or supplies, including drinking water, sunscreen, shade hat, insect repellent, and shoes and clothing appropriate for field work
  • Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; look for ways to improve and promote quality
  • Ability to develop, maintain, and honor relationships with diverse groups of people and partners
  • Ability to work well with others throughout the organization to build positive teamwork
  • Prioritize and plan work activities; use time effectively
  • Consistently at work and on time; punctual; ensure that work responsibilities are covered when absent
  • Follow policies and procedures; complete administrative tasks correctly and on time; support organizational goals and values
  • Willing to adjust schedule to meet the demands of the organization

Organizational Competencies
  • Mission Driven: You are passionate about the mission of The Land Institute and are interested in aligning your skills and personal genius to benefit this work.
  • Courageous: You do not retreat or shy away from hard things. You face challenges and conflict with professionalism, grace, and resolve.
  • A Boundary Spanner: You bring an interdisciplinary skill set and you model self-awareness in your own preferences. You are motivated to always be learning and you adapt to span boundaries with people across a range of different perspectives.
  • Inspiring and Inspired:You are inspired by the people around you, finding and harnessing the genius in your colleagues to meet the organizational objectives, and you are inspiring to others through example and your own genius applied.
  • Growth Mindset: You have the vulnerability to know what you don't know, admit your flaws, and learn from others to grow and develop yourself and the organization.
  • A Creative Collaborator: You believe in the power of a diverse collective to generate ideas and solutions. You excel at strategic thinking, being open to new perspectives, and managing innovation. You bring a playful, positive approach to the work and like meeting new people and deepening connections with those you already know.
  • Excited by change: You embrace nascent and evolving situations and enjoy engaging new people, ideas, and possibilities. You think about change holistically: internal, external, organizational, and cultural. You like iterating systems, building efficiency, and operationalizing design. You are willing to jump in and contribute to new projects as needed.

Qualifications that could help you succeed:
  • Experience with soil, plants, chemistry, or an agriculture-related field, and lab work
  • Experience as part of a research lab or conducting an independent project
  • Familiarity with spreadsheets, data entry, and repetitive data collection tasks

Hours
Work days generally run from Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM but may occasionally need to be adjusted to accommodate weather and/or field tasks, particularly in the summer.
Location + Travel
This role is based at the Land Institute's main campus in Salina, KS. Occasional travel to conferences and to visit or assist other collaborators may be necessary. You must be able to provide your own transportation to 2440 E Water Well Rd each day and you must be willing to carpool in company vehicles to field sites and comply with seatbelt laws.
Environmental + Working Conditions
This work also involves many repetitive physical tasks both in and outdoors, often in adverse weather conditions. Kansas weather is highly variable and can be uncomfortable for months at a time, especially with high humidity and temperatures coupled with limited access to shade or air conditioning. While we are mindful and intentional about our exposure to these conditions, they can be challenging and require good body awareness and proactive measures to protect oneself from dehydration and over-exposure to the sun. You must be prepared to take these measures and have the endurance to work in a challenging physical environment. We feel that the best of human company makes this work rewarding and even fun despite the degrees, but that does not make it easy.
  • Prolonged periods of working outdoors in adverse conditions, including temperatures in excess of 95 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Work in exposed field and laboratory research settings.
  • Work in a general office environment.
  • Demonstrate sustained physical fitness and the ability to lift 60 pounds safely and without assistance

Compensation + Benefits:
The compensation range is $14-18 per hour, dependent on experience, with limited benefits, including the following:
  • Housing: When available, shared staff housing is provided at no cost for the temporary duration of employment
  • Paid sick time hours
  • Monthly cell phone stipend
  • Paid holidays

To Apply: Interested applicants should submit a resume along with a letter of interest that addresses the following questions:
  • Why are you interested in this position?
  • What are some things you would like to gain from this position?
  • What experience might help you be successful in this role?

Please include your dates/times of availability in relation to the Summer, Harvest, or Winter seasons.
Timeline: Application review begins from February 2026. The posting will remain open until all slots are filled.
The Land Institute is an equal opportunity employer and embraces the opportunity to provide employment to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. We are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Pay Range: $14 - $18 per hour

Apply