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Graduate Ecology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tuskegee University

Advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, maintaining accessibility through ... D. in Ecology and Evolution Biology, Environmental Science, Marine Science or a closely related ...

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Graduate Ecology information

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$15K

$42.8K

$64.5K

How much do graduate ecology jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate ecology in the United States is $42,750.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,500.00 and $51,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical collaborative projects a Graduate Ecologist might participate in during their first year?

As a Graduate Ecologist, you will often work on multidisciplinary projects alongside senior ecologists, environmental consultants, and sometimes engineers or planners. Common collaborations include conducting habitat surveys, assisting with environmental impact assessments, and supporting biodiversity monitoring programs. These projects usually require teamwork, clear communication, and an eagerness to learn from more experienced colleagues. Participating in these collaborations early in your career helps build practical field skills and fosters professional relationships that can support your development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate Ecologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Ecologist, you need a degree in ecology or a related environmental science, a solid understanding of ecological principles, and experience with fieldwork. Familiarity with GIS software, statistical analysis tools, and survey methods is typically required, along with certifications like protected species licenses. Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help you interpret data, collaborate on projects, and engage stakeholders. These skills and qualities are vital for effectively assessing ecosystems, informing conservation efforts, and supporting sustainable environmental management.

What are graduate ecologists?

Graduate ecologists are individuals who have recently completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in ecology or a related environmental science and are beginning their careers in the field. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced ecologists, assisting with research, data collection, environmental impact assessments, and ecological surveys. Graduate ecologists often work for environmental consultancies, government agencies, non-profits, or research institutions, gaining practical experience and developing their expertise in ecology. Their roles can involve both fieldwork and data analysis, contributing to the understanding and conservation of ecosystems.

What is the difference between Graduate Ecology vs Environmental Technician?

AspectGraduate EcologyEnvironmental Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related fieldAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field sites, environmental agenciesFieldwork, laboratory, environmental consulting firms
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government agencies, research organizationsEnvironmental consulting firms, government agencies, NGOs
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Graduate Ecology and Environmental Technician roles share similarities in required education and work environments, often involving fieldwork and research. However, Graduate Ecology typically requires a higher level of academic qualification and focuses more on research and ecological analysis, while Environmental Technicians often perform more practical, on-the-ground environmental assessments and data collection.

More about Graduate Ecology jobs
What states have the most Graduate Ecology jobs? States with the most job openings for Graduate Ecology jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Graduate Ecology jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Ecology jobs are:
Graduate Ecology jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Ecology job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,750 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Graduate Assistant - Biology, Urban Wildlife Ecology

Bridgewater State College

Bridgewater, MA • On-site

$15/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Posting Details
Position Information
Title
Graduate Assistant - Biology, Urban Wildlife Ecology
Position Description
The Graduate Assistant (GA) will work 20 hours per week and receive up to 24 credits of tuition and student fee waivers: 9 for fall, 9 for spring and 6 for summer.
Overview and Duties
This Graduate Assistant position will support a faculty-led research program in urban wildlife ecology, tick ecology, and Lyme disease risk in urban green spaces across the Greater Boston Area. The position is designed as a mentored research and training opportunity for an M.S. student and emphasizes quantitative analysis, ecological modeling, study design, scientific writing, and active participation in fi eld-based wildlife monitoring. Under faculty supervision, the GA will contribute to the development and implementation of research workflows that integrate wildlife surveys, camera-trap data, tick sampling, visitor survey data, and environmental covariates to evaluate ecological patterns across gradients of urbanization. The position is intended to support the successful completion of a master's thesis in urban wildlife ecology while also providing advanced professional, academic, and career development in fi eld ecology, data science, geospatial analysis, and scholarly communication.
Responsibilities will include:
  • Quantitative analysis and ecological modeling: Develop and apply statistical models to evaluate wildlife occurrence, relative abundance, habitat use, and ecological responses to urbanization across heterogeneous urban landscapes.
  • Integrated ecological data analysis: Manage and analyze integrated datasets from wildlife monitoring, tick sampling, visitor surveys, and environmental variables to examine patterns associated with landscape structure and ecological change.
  • Reproducible research workflows: Conduct analyses in R using reproducible workflows for data management, visualization, model evaluation, uncertainty assessment, and interpretation of ecological patterns.
  • Camera-trap study design and wildlife monitoring: Design and refine trail-camera deployment strategies, including site selection, camera spacing, deployment duration, metadata standards, and monitoring protocols to support robust ecological inference.
  • Field preparation and equipment management: Assist with fieldwork preparation, equipment organization, inventory management, camera deployment, retrieval, maintenance, and troubleshooting during field activities in urban green spaces.
  • Wildlife and tick field sampling: Participate in standardized wildlife monitoring and tick sampling using established fi eld protocols and maintain accurate records of biological observations and associated site-level covariates.
  • Tick identification and disease-risk integration: Identify ticks to the appropriate taxonomic level and life stage and contribute to analyses linking wildlife activity, habitat characteristics, and tick-borne disease risk indicators.
  • Geospatial analysis and predictive modeling: Compile, manage, and process GIS and remote-sensing data; derive environmental predictor variables; and develop geospatial models of wildlife occurrence, habitat use, and ecological patterning across urban landscapes.
  • AI-assisted image processing and data integration: Process trail-camera imagery using open-source AI tools for wildlife species classification, validate AI-generated outputs, and integrate image records with metadata and environmental datasets for analysis.
  • Data management and database curation: Maintain organized and standardized databases for wildlife detections, tick samples, camera metadata, and related project datasets, including data dictionaries, metadata records, and quality-control procedures.
  • Scientific writing and communication: Lead or contribute to preparation of manuscripts, abstracts, technical reports, posters, presentations, and other scholarly products for peer-reviewed publication and professional meetings.
  • Undergraduate training and collaborative research: Assist with training undergraduate researchers in fi eld protocols, data entry, image classification, and research ethics, while helping coordinate fi eld and data-processing activities within a collaborative laboratory environment.
  • Collaboration and compliance: Work closely with faculty and project collaborators to align field and analytical activities with project objectives and follow all fi eld safety, institutional, and environmental compliance requirements.

Outcomes
This position provides substantial educational value by training the graduate student in advanced ecological research methods, quantitative and geospatial analysis, AI-assisted data processing, reproducible research practices, and scientific communication.
Preferred Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Wildlife Ecology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, Statistics, Epidemiology, or a closely related field.
  • Acceptance into the M.S. program in Biological Sciences at Bridgewater State University.
  • Prior research experience in ecology, wildlife biology, environmental science, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated quantitative skills for ecological data analysis.
  • Proficiency in R for data management, visualization, and statistical analysis.
  • Ability to conduct fieldwork during summer, including deployment and maintenance of field equipment in urban green spaces.
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research environment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Coursework and/or research experience in wildlife ecology, urban ecology, community ecology, spatial ecology, disease ecology, or a closely related field.
  • Experience with ecological field research, including wildlife monitoring, camera-trap studies, or standardized fi eld surveys.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in R for data management, visualization, and statistical analysis.
  • Experience with ecological modeling, reproducible research workflows, and management of integrated datasets.
  • Coursework or applied experience in GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis.
  • Familiarity with trail-camera image processing, species classification, or AI-assisted image review and validation is desirable.
  • Experience with scientific writing, data visualization, and preparation of research presentations or reports is preferred.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a research team and assist with training or mentoring undergraduate students is also preferred.

Physical Demands
  • Ability to conduct fieldwork in urban green spaces as needed. This includes prolonged walking over uneven terrain; carrying, deploying, retrieving, and maintaining field equipment such as trail cameras and sampling materials; bending, kneeling, reaching, and standing for extended periods during field activities.
  • Ability to work outdoors under variable weather conditions and to travel to and from field sites in the Greater Boston Area.
  • The position also requires extended periods of computer-based work, including typing, data entry, statistical analysis, GIS processing, image review, and manuscript preparation.

Special Conditions for Eligibility
Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check. Bridgewater State University is an E-Verify employer.
EEO Statement
Bridgewater State University is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by law.
Hourly Rate
$15
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
Stu05810P
Open Date
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
The College of Graduate Studies (COGS) coordinates all of BSU's Graduate Assistantships. For more information on the program or for the status of your application, please contact:
Cassie Birch
c1birch@bridgew.edu

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