ACCS provides research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students in the University of Alaska system. Volunteer opportunities are available through the UAA Herbarium and KBNERR. Additional opportunities and job openings will be posted here as available.
Open Positions
Lead Wildlife Ecologist
We are seeking a Wildlife Biodiversity Lead to collect and maintain data on rare and sensitive wildlife, including birds, mammals, and amphibians. The incumbent will be responsible for managing conservation data, building relationships with agency partners, writing grants, and sharing information with members of the public.
This is a full-time position with benefits based in Anchorage, Alaska, and with a minimum hourly wage of $29.72. Applications are due on December 8, 2024. For more information or to apply, visit the Wildlife Biodiversity Lead job posting.
Student Research Assistant
Join a dynamic research team under the direction of Dr. Matt Carlson and Justin Fulkerson. We are seeking a dedicated undergraduate student to help process and curate bee and plant specimens that will become part of the UAA Entomology Collection and UAA Herbarium. These samples contribute to important research projects conducted by UAA scientists and collaborators around the world.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare bee specimens by washing, pinning, labeling, and organizing them according to museum-quality standards.
- Enter specimen data into databases and help categorize bees into specialized groups for museum drawers and cabinets.
- Assist in cataloging plant specimens, mounting them on herbarium paper, capturing specimen images, and organizing them in herbarium cabinets.
- Follow established protocols to ensure specimen handling and data management meet research standards.
Why This Role Matters:
Your work will be critical to advancing several research projects at the Alaska Center for Conservation Science (ACCS). Your contributions will support global scientific efforts, making this an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in basic ecology, data management, and museum practices.
What We’re Looking For:
- High attention to detail and excellent organization skills.
- Ability to follow strict lab protocols.
- Enthusiasm for entomology, botany, or conservation science is a plus!
Position Details:
Location: UAA Main campus, BMH Building (lab setting). Hours: 4-8 hours per week, with flexible scheduling (minimum of 2-hour blocks during business hours, M-F, 9-5). Availability: Fall and Spring semesters, with the possibility of summer extension or participation in fieldwork with ACCS scientists.
Application Process:
The position is open until filled. There are two steps for the application.
- Please apply to the College of Arts and Sciences job pool at UA Careers online or search for “528526” at the UA Careers website.
- Send your resumé to Justin Fulkerson jrfulkerson (at) alaska.edu
Graduate Students
Sean Fitzgerald
Graduate Student | sfitzgerald2 (at) alaska.edu
Sean is a graduate student in the UAA Biological Sciences Program starting spring 2024. He became interested in Alaska because of its unique habitats and how pollinators there are able to survive and thrive in harsh conditions. His research focuses on pollinator biodiversity and abundance across different habitats in JBER.
Christopher Guo
Graduate Student | chguo (at) alaska.edu
Chris is a graduate student in the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at UAF. He had made his way to Homer, Alaska, where he quickly adopted its community and became enamored with the surrounding coastal environment. His research focuses on spatial and temporal patterns of estuarine fish assemblages and their relationship to habitat conditions. Chris is also an aquatic biologist at KBNERR within ACCS.
Emma Lipscomb
Graduate Student | eglipscomb (at) alaska.edu
Emma is a graduate student in the UAA Biological Sciences program. She was drawn to Alaska because of its unique flora and geomorphology, the majority of which is not found in any other part of the U.S. Her research focuses on permafrost, soils, and their relationship to plant communities in southcentral Alaska.
John McCormack
Graduate Student | jjmccormack2 (at) alaska.edu
John is a graduate student in the UAA Biological Sciences program. He has studied insect diversity and ecology in Virginia, Massachusetts, and Australia, and he’s developed a particular interest in pollinators. His research focuses on pollinator communities in Alaskan apple orchards and size variation in bumble bees.
Technicians and Undergraduate Students
Rhiannon Glover
Undergraduate Student | acglover (at) alaska.edu
Rhiannon is a student research technician that majors in Natural Sciences at the College of Arts and Sciences, at UAA. She was born and raised in Alaska and loves how close her work brings her to her own backyard. She works closely with researchers specializing in vegetation ecology, plant communities, and pollination ecology, and hopes to use this experience to further her own career in conservation biology.
Preston Villumsen
Undergraduate Student | pcvillumsen (at) alaska.edu
Shortly after moving to Alaska, while out photographing insects, a serendipitous encounter with a local botanist inspired Preston to join the Alaska Native Plant Society. It was while on group hikes with this organization that Preston developed a love of lichens and the Alaskan flora in general. Preston is currently an undergraduate in natural sciences at UAA and a technician at ACCS. He is assisting in Nelchina Caribou Herd forage research and is working on lichen checklists for the Chugach and Talkeetna mountain ranges.
Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities exist for students looking for additional experience and interested members of the public to collaborate with Alaska Center for Conservation Science. Available opportunities depend on interest and experience. Additionally, student jobs are available for students looking to gain work experience in a conservation-related field. The UAA Herbarium (UAAH) is always looking for volunteers to assist with curation of specimens. Please contact Justin Fulkerson if you are interested in volunteering.
