Graduate Assistant - Biology, Research Lab Assistant

Posting Details

Position Information

Title Graduate Assistant - Biology, Research Lab Assistant 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.

Description of Duties

This Graduate Assistant (GA) position will support faculty-led research in biodiversity, wetland ecology, restoration, and conservation science while providing structured professional, academic, and career development for a master's student in Biological Sciences. Under the supervision of Dr. Surasinghe, the GA will contribute to ongoing research projects by assisting with field-based data collection, laboratory and fi eld preparation, data management, organization and quality control, geospatial analysis, statistical analysis, and scientific dissemination of results. The position is designed as a mentored research and training opportunity that advances the academic development of a masters student as an independent scientist while also supporting the research, teaching, and service mission of the department.

The primary responsibilities of the GA will include preparation, maintenance, and organization of fi eld and sampling equipment; participation in standardized faunal and fl oral surveys in wetland and aquatic habitats; and collection of ecological data using established active and passive sampling methods. The GA will assist with documenting biodiversity across wetlands that vary in restoration status, recording habitat characteristics, and ensuring that fi eld data are collected, entered, and archived accurately and consistently. The GA will also help manage project data from fi eld surveys, agency sources, and online databases to maintain organized, reproducible datasets for analysis and reporting.

The GA will manage and curate datasets derived from fieldwork, public databases, and online repositories. Responsibilities include data cleaning, quality control, metadata development, and preparation of datasets for analysis and long-term storage. Duties will include processing GIS and remote-sensing data, producing maps and spatial data products, and assisting with statistical analyses used to evaluate biodiversity patterns across space and time. The GA will be expected to develop increasing independence in data interpretation, figure preparation, and synthesis of findings. Depending on project needs, the GA may also assist with literature review, protocol refinement, report preparation, and other research support activities necessary for project completion.

Primary Responsibilities

• Field preparation and equipment management: Prepare, maintain, organize, and troubleshoot field equipment and sampling materials used for faunal and floral surveys in wetland and aquatic systems.
• Field surveys and ecological data collection: Conduct standardized biodiversity and habitat surveys using active and passive sampling methods across wetlands that vary in restoration status.
• Data management and quality control: Enter, clean, organize, document, and archive ecological datasets derived from fieldwork, agency data sources, and online databases using reproducible data-management practices.
• Geospatial analysis: Process and analyze GIS, remote-sensing, and other spatial datasets to quantify habitat patterns and explain biodiversity variation across space and time.
• Statistical analysis: Conduct quantitative analyses to test ecological hypotheses, interpret findings, and generate tables, figures, and other research outputs.
• AI-assisted research problem solving: Receive supervised training in the responsible use of AI-assisted tools to support coding, data processing, literature synthesis, workflow development, and pattern detection, while critically evaluating outputs for accuracy, transparency, and research integrity.
• Scientific writing and communication: Contribute to technical reports, conference presentations, and manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed publication.
• Training, mentoring, and leadership: Assist in training undergraduate researchers in fi eld methods, species identification, habitat assessment, data entry, and research professionalism within a collaborative and inclusive lab environment.

Outcomes of this Graduate Assistantship

A core component of this position is training in computational and emerging analytical approaches, including the responsible use of AI in ecological research. The GA will receive supervised training in the application of AI-assisted tools for tasks such as data processing, pattern recognition, coding support, literature synthesis, and reproducible workflow development. The GA will learn to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, integrate AI tools into scientific problem-solving, and apply them in ways that adhere to research integrity, transparency, and reproducibility standards. This training aligns with institutional priorities to integrate advanced technologies into research, teaching, and data-informed decision-making.

The GA will also develop proficiency in scientific writing and communication by contributing to manuscripts, technical reports, and conference presentations. Responsibilities include synthesizing results, preparing figures and tables, and participating in the development of peer-reviewed publications. The GA will gain experience communicating scientific findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

In addition, the GA will develop leadership and mentoring skills by assisting in the training and supervision of undergraduate students involved in research. This includes instruction in field methods, species identification, data collection, and data entry, as well as fostering a collaborative and inclusive research environment.

This position is intended to prepare the GA for multiple post-degree pathways. Through direct experience in ecological fi eld methods, biodiversity assessment, GIS, data management, quantitative analysis, mentoring, and scientific communication, the GA will build a skill set relevant to careers in conservation science, environmental consulting, natural resource management, research support, and higher education. The position will also strengthen the student's preparation for doctoral study by providing substantive research experience, opportunities for scholarly dissemination, and training in independent and collaborative research practice. In this way, the GA appointment serves both the immediate research needs of the laboratory and the broader purpose of graduate assistantship support by advancing student success, applied learning, career readiness, and inclusive research training.

Preferred Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in field and research settings.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in wetland and aquatic environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous undergraduate research experience, preferably at least one year, in ecology, conservation biology, environmental science, or a related field.
• Experience conducting fi eld surveys in wetland or aquatic habitats, including biodiversity sampling, species identification, and habitat assessment.
• Coursework and/or applied experience in GIS, remote sensing, and statistical analysis.
• Experience with data entry, data organization, and quality control for ecological datasets. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a research team and to assist with mentoring or training undergraduate students.
• Familiarity with coding in R/python, reproducible research practices, or the responsible use of AI-assisted tools in research workflows is desirable.

Physical Demands

Physical Demands

• Ability to work long hours (5-6 hours per day) in the field, including wetland environments

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 Stu05809P 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

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Are you a Bridgewater State University graduate student accepted into a graduate degree program?

• Yes

• No

• • Which Graduate program have you been accepted into?

(Open Ended Question)

• • Have you held a Graduate Assistantship or Writing Fellowship in the past?

• Yes

• No

• • Have you ever worked on campus before?

• Yes

• No

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Class Schedule