/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

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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

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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.

Calling for Student Posters: C4E PFAS Broadcast & Research Showcase

C4E is seeking undergraduate and graduate students conducting research on environmental contaminants--including PFAS. heavy metals, air, water, soil, food produce, or regional environmental impacts like the Long Island oyster industry.

  • Date & Time: October 1 | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location: Wang Center Theatre Lobby

This event celebrates student scholarship alongside the release of C4E’s national radio broadcast special on PFAS and other contaminants. The session will feature a short presentation and Q&A with Dr. Heather Lynch and J.D. Allen, who worked on the special, alongside an open showcase where attendees can engage directly with student posters while listening to the broadcast in the background.

Reach out to Jennifer Gilday (jennifer.gilday@stonybrook.edu) for more info and details.

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

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head shot of professor Stephen Baines

Baines Lab

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

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Headshot of Dr. Rafael D'Andrea

D'Andrea Lab

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

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Dr. Liliana Dávalos

Dávalos Lab

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

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Dr. Daniel Griffith

Griffith Lab

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

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Dr. Heather Lynch

Lynch Lab

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

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Dr. Ross Nehm

Nehm Lab

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

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Dr. Dianna Padilla

Padilla Lab

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

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Dr. Joshua Rest

Rest Lab

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

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Dr. Tara Smiley

Smiley Lab

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

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Dr. Jordanna Sprayberry

Sprayberry Lab

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

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Dr. Robert Thacker

Thacker Lab

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

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Dr. Pascal Title

Title Lab

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

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Dr. John True

True Lab

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

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Dr. Krishna Veeramah

Veeramah Lab

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

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Dr. Natasha Vitek

Vitek Lab

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

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Watson Lab

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

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Dr. Jackie Weissman

Weissman Lab

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

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