/College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Ecology & Evolution

Undergraduate Fieldwork & Research Opportunities

Gain hands-on research experience, expand your skills, and explore the natural world

On-Campus Lab Research

Undergraduate students can gain hands-on scientific experience in Ecology & Evolution labs through several primary pathways:

  • For-Credit Research: Independent Study (e.g., BIO 487) or Senior Honors Thesis credits.

  • Federal Work-Study: Paid positions for students eligible for work-study financial aid.

  • Volunteer Positions: Flexible entry-level roles to gain initial lab skills and experience.

  • Paid Positions: Direct-hire lab assistant roles (when grant funding is available).

How to Apply

  1. Review Openings: Check the details under the "Current Lab Openings" to be sure what type of experience they are offering. 

  2. Prepare Your Outreach: Have a brief email ready detailing your background, relevant coursework, availability (hours per week), and why you are interested in that specific lab’s work.

  3. Contact the Mentor: Reach out directly to the primary contact listed in the lab profile.

Current Lab Openings

Fall 2026 - Spring 2027

Dr. Sheila Kitchen

Kitchen Lab

Open Positions: Volunteer Only Opportunities include training in animal husbandry, wet lab, and bioinformatics. Students should be willing to commit 6 hr a week in the lab. Prerequisites: none

Visit Lab Website
headshot of Aki Ohdera

Ohdera Lab

Open Positions: Volunteer position, For credit (e.g., Independent Study / Thesis), Work-Study Opportunities in animal husbandry (jellyfish, anemones) Prerequisites: none

Visit Lab Website

National Fellowships & Seasonal Fieldwork

External Job Boards & Programs

Expanding your research experience outside of Stony Brook is a fantastic way to develop your skills, build your network, and explore potential career paths in ecology and conservation.

  • Texas A&M Natural Resources Job Board: Widely considered the premier national hub for temporary, seasonal, and full-time field technician roles in ecology, wildlife biology, and environmental science.

  • NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): A prestigious national program funded by the National Science Foundation. REUs place undergraduate students directly into active research projects at hosting institutions across the country, typically providing a competitive stipend, housing, and travel support.

  • National Park Service - Scientists in Parks (SIP) Program: Offers fully paid winter and summer internships within national parks across the United States, focusing deeply on biological sciences, natural resources, and environmental education.

Featured Field Courses & Academic Immersions

Ecosystem Field Studies (EcoFS)

Apply your classroom and textbook learning while completely immersed in a transformative environmental academic setting. These exciting, hands-on courses allow you to earn 3 undergraduate college transfer credits in just three weeks.

  • Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies: Study, SCUBA, and snorkel on the Caribbean coast of Mexico while learning practical scientific methods through active marine investigations.

  • Colorado Ecosystem Field Studies: Study, camp, and hike in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado while conducting active field research with a dynamic group of peers.

Student Organizations & Community Outreach

Alternative Spring Break Outreach (ASBO)

ASBO is a student-developed, student-run community service organization at Stony Brook University. The group works to promote a lifelong spirit of volunteerism through environmental outreach, natural disaster relief, and collaborations with local conservation organizations.

  • Meetings: Mondays from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM in Frey Hall, Room 309.

  • Contact: asbosbu@gmail.com | Instagram: @asbosbu

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) at SBU

A dedicated student volunteering chapter offering active leadership positions across local fundraising and healthcare outreach teams.

Ecology & Evolution Research Labs

Looking for other research areas? Many faculty accept students on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Explore our Faculty Labs & Research Directory ↗ to review all active department labs and reach out directly to PIs whose work aligns with your interests.

a headshot of Dr. H. Resit Akçakaya

Akçakaya Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. H. Resit Akçakaya Research Focus: Quantitative Conservation & Biodiversity Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
head shot of professor Stephen Baines

Baines Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Stephen B. Baines Research Focus: Aquatic Ecosystem Ecology & Biogeochemistry Recruitment Status:TBD

Visit Lab Website
Headshot of Dr. Rafael D'Andrea

D'Andrea Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Rafael D'Andrea Research Focus: Theoretical Ecology & Species Coexistence Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Liliana Dávalos

Dávalos Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Liliana M. Dávalos Research Focus: Biodiversity, Conservation, and Phylogenetics Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Daniel Griffith

Griffith Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Daniel M. Griffith Research Focus: Plant Ecophysiology & Disturbance Ecology Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Heather Lynch

Lynch Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Heather J. Lynch Research Focus: Antarctic Wildlife Dynamics & Spatial Ecology Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Ross Nehm

Nehm Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Ross H. Nehm Research Focus: Biology Education Research & Human Reasoning Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Dianna Padilla

Padilla Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Dianna K. Padilla Research Focus: Marine Ecology & Invasion Biology Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Joshua Rest

Rest Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Joshua Rest Research Focus: Evolutionary Genomics & Bioinformatics Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Tara Smiley

Smiley Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Tara Smiley Research Focus: Evolutionary Genomics & Bioinformatics Recruitment Status:TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Jordanna Sprayberry

Sprayberry Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Jordanna Sprayberry Research Focus: Sensory Ecology, Pollinator Behavior & Neuroethology Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website

Dr. Robert Thacker

Thacker Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Robert Thacker Research Focus: Sponge Systematics, Evolutionary Interactions & Phylogenetics Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Pascal Title

Title Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Pascal Title Research Focus: Macroevolution, Biodiversity Patterns & Spatial Ecology Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. John True

True Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. John R. True Research Focus: Evolutionary Development (Evo-Devo) & Genetics Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit the Lab Website
Dr. Krishna Veeramah

Veeramah Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Krishna Veeramah Research Focus: Evolutionary Genomics, Human Genetics & Paleogenomics Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Natasha Vitek

Vitek Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Natasha Vitek Research Focus: Vertebrate Morphology, Paleontology & Species Survival Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website

Watson Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Elizabeth Watson Research Focus: Coastal Wetlands, Climate Change & Ecohydrology Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website
Dr. Jackie Weissman

Weissman Lab

Primary Contact: Dr. Jackie Lee Weissman Research Focus: Microbial Ecology & Environmental Metagenomics Recruitment Status: TBD

Visit Lab Website