The Ponisio lab (U Oregon) is seeking field techs for their California pollinator resampling effort. In the 1960s/1970s Andy Moldenke surveyed flower visitors along two transects in N and S CA. We are resurveying his sites in collaboration with Ruben Alarcon (CSU Channel Islands). For more information please see: http://www.ponisiolab.com/california-resurvey.html

We will be sampling the southern transect plant-pollinator communities from Torrey Pines (San Diego CA) to Anza Borrego. On field days we either drive to sampling sites (coastal scrub to desert), collect pollinators from around 9:00-13:00, and then label and curate the specimens back at the campsite (time permitting). We car camp for around 2-3 days at a time, then return to the UC Field Station in San Diego. Because we are in southern CA which is highly developed and very expensive, it is difficult to find housing outside of the field station, so there will be quite a bit of moving around campsites to access survey sites and driving but the field station will be the “home base”.

We will work in a team of two to three and rotate around the sampling sites together.  1 position is available for three and a half months, starting at the latest March 1, 2026.  We will meet at the UC Field Station. Field station fees will be covered by the project, and a field car will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Field monitoring and collection of pollinators
• Processing insect specimens in the lab including pinning bees and labeling samples
• Data entry into spreadsheets

Required Qualifications

• Interest in botany, entomology, conservation biology and field ecology
• Previous field or lab experience or coursework related to botany and/or entomology
• Previous experience with pollinators, especially native bees and/or monitoring other insect populations and/or experience with plant surveys
• Attention to detail (will be collecting and working with original data)
• Highly motivated and able to work independently
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel)
• Ability to work in field for long hours
• Car camping and/or backpacking experience + enjoyment of camping
• Valid Driver’s License (and comfort with driving for multiple hours)