Field/Lab Assistant Position for Fall 2026

Are you interested in ecology, prairies, and/or plant sciences and have a desire to gain some research experience? The Jones Evidence-based Restoration laboratory is currently looking for 2 undergraduate students to fill paid field/laboratory assistant positions! Students working in this position can expect to work in both field and laboratory settings. Field work will include maintaining an experimental prairie site located on the NIU campus, while laboratory work will include preparing plant samples for stable isotope analysis. No experience is necessary to apply for this position, as a major goal of this position is to help prepare students for the next steps in their career path. 

You must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student at NIU to apply. The position will run through the Fall 2026 semester and will pay $15/hour for 50 hours. This position can also count towards 1credit hour of ENVS490 or BIOS495. If interested, please send a cover letter explaining your interest, relevant experience you have, and your general career goals to Christiana (Ana) Guthrie at z1939469@students.niu.edu by Wednesday, September 16th. Please reach out to Ana with any questions you may have as well.

Field Research Technician Position Jones lab

 

Are you interested in a paid research opportunity? The Jones Evidence-Based Restoration Lab has an undergraduate research assistant position available! This position will be a blend of field and greenhouse work with flexible hours and scheduling. You will have the opportunity to participate in field-based soil core collection at Nachusa grasslands, as well as learn in-demand plant identification and greenhouse techniques by helping record the seedlings emerging from the planted soil cores and maintaining the ideal conditions for the seedlings. No experience necessary - we are here for you to learn, and you will have guidance at every step of the way! The position will have a stipend of $2,000. 

Requirements for the position: Undergraduate student at NIU, available September through the end of November.

This position must be filled, so please reach out to Kamal Ehrlich (z2037175@students.niu.edu) with a cover letter stating your interest, experience for the position, and general career goals by August 31st. 

Water Quality and Resources in the Yucatan Peninsula - REU Poster Session

 

Marine Biology Field Research Program – Enrollment Closes March 31 (Limited Spots Remaining)

 Unlike traditional classroom-based programs, students spend their days on the water working directly with marine animals, learning how to safely catch, measure, tag, and release sharks and rays while collecting real scientific data used in ongoing research.

This experience provides students with the kind of hands-on field skills and practical experience that graduate schools, research programs, and marine science employers value highly.

Program Highlights

• Work directly with sharks and rays in their natural habitat

• Learn professional marine field research techniques

• Gain hands-on experience collecting and recording scientific data

• Work alongside experienced marine researchers and instructors

• Ideal for students interested in marine biology, conservation, and wildlife research careers

Important Enrollment Update

Enrollment for Summer 2026 closes March 31, and several weeks are already nearing capacity.

Current availability is limited for the following weeks:

• Week 4 – limited spots remaining

• Week 5 – limited spots remaining

• Week 6 – limited spots remaining

• Week 8 – limited spots remaining

Students interested in participating are encouraged to apply soon before the remaining spots are filled.

Program Information

Students can learn more or request information here:

www.coastalmera.com

Elizabeth Resnick and Anne Berry, Wednesday, March 4, 11 AM, Wirtz Hall, 103A

 

NASA EarthRISE Developers Academy Summer 2026 Paid Research Opportunities

 NASA EarthRISE Developers Academy is offering 10-week, paid research opportunities this summer that are open to current students and recent graduates, as well as transitioning/early career professionals. The Academy builds the next generation of science and technology leaders through an immersive, experiential model applying NASA Earth observations to real-world challenges.

 

For the summer 2026 term, EarthRISE Developers Academy will provide in-person opportunities at Langley Research Center (Hampton, VA), Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL), and Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO). Additionally, a limited number of projects are available for virtual participation. Through collaborative projects, professional development, and state, local, tribal, territorial, and private partnerships, the Academy equips participants with the skills to accelerate innovation and bridge Earth science with the future of space exploration.

 

The Academy is an interdisciplinary activity, where we accept participants with experience in a variety of fields, as well as from different phases of their career. Applicants with demonstrated skills in Earth, environmental, and/or planetary sciences, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and/or computer science are encouraged to apply. Participants will work together on teams, guided by NASA scientists and science advisors and in partnership with community organizations, to expand their skills to use NASA science data to address environmental concerns from urban heat, air quality, disaster management, agriculture, ecological conservation, and water resources to lunar science in support of NASA’s Moon to Mars strategy.

 

Applicants must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment. EarthRISE Developers Academy offers hourly, paid positions with rates that are determined by education level and working location. During the term, selected participants should be able to commit to 25 – 29 hours per week, Monday – Thursday during normal business hours.

 

Please see details about this opportunity including eligibility, tentative project themes, and application instructions at https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/nasadevelop. The application window is open now through March 6th, 2026, for the 10-week, summer 2026 project term taking place from June 1st – August 7th. US citizenship or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status is required to apply.

 

REEU program at Purdue Northwest

 

TNC-IL seasonal job opportunities

 

University of NE - Lincoln summer REUs in STEM fields

 

Paid summer research at Hamilton College in New York

*Just an update - Pete can accept applicants that either graduated in

Fall 2025 or who do graduate in Spring 2026.

Aquatic and Marine Research Opportunity

TLDR: Aquatic & Marine Research Opportunity
Interested in aquatic or marine systems and want hands-on research experience? Dr. Mike Henson’s Aquatic Microbiology Lab is seeking ENVS students for Spring and Summer positions. Projects focus on microbial responses to environmental change in systems like Florida Bay, the Caribbean, and the Mississippi River. Approximately 4 to 6 hours per week. Options for academic credit or paid work (depending on available funding). To learn more or express interest, email Dr. Henson with your year, availability, and a brief note about why you would like to join the lab.

 

Full message:

If you are interested in aquatic or marine environments and want hands-on research experience, there is a great opportunity to work with Dr. Mike Henson in his Aquatic Microbiology Lab. His work was recently featured in NIU Today for NSF-funded coral reef research, and he is currently welcoming ENVS students for Spring and Summer positions.

The Aquatic Microbiology Lab studies how microscopic organisms respond to environmental change in both freshwater and marine systems. Current projects include topics such as:

• How microbial communities in Florida Bay respond to heatwaves and implications for water quality and carbon cycling
• The pathogen driving sea urchin die-offs in the Caribbean and how the pathogen survives and spreads
• How microbial communities change along the Mississippi River from its headwaters to the Gulf and what that reveals about nutrient and carbon movement

Dr. Henson is most interested in students who:

• Are genuinely curious about aquatic or marine systems and environmental change
• Want to learn and build skills through regular, hands-on lab work
• May be ENVS majors or minors who are not pursuing a BIOS major but still want strong research experience

There are no strict course prerequisites. Having some lab experience and courses like BIOS 208+210, BIOS 209+211, or BIOS 313 is helpful, but motivated early-career students (first or second year) are also encouraged to reach out.

You will have the opportunity to learn:

• Core skills in environmental microbiology and microbial ecology
• Lab skills such as aseptic technique, microbial physiology, and molecular methods
• Use of instruments such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, and flow cytometry
• Data handling and basic analysis related to water quality and ecosystem health

Time and compensation

• Time commitment: approximately 4 to 6 hours per week, typically over 2 to 3 days
• Options for either academic credit or paid hourly work, depending on available funding

To be considered, email Dr. Henson (mhenson@niu.edu) with:

• A short introduction, including your year and major
• Your general availability for the upcoming semester or summer
• A brief statement on why you are interested in working in the Aquatic Microbiology Lab
• Email subject line “Interest in Aquatic Microbiology Lab Research”

If you have questions about how this experience could fit into your ENVS degree plan or potential credit options, feel free to reach out to Melissa at mburlingame@niu.edu. 

USVI_UVIcampusMarine —> View from the University of the Virgin Islands Marine Center (https://www.uvi.edu/research/center-for-marine-environmental-studies/index.html)

UVI_fieldteam —> The UVI field team (pictured Co-Pi Dr. Marilyn Brandt and Field Researcher Moriah Sevier) placing tags on coral in Brewers Bay (St. Thomas, USVI)

DiademaA_USVI —> photo of Diadema antillarum in Brewers Bay (St. Thomas, USVI)

CoelomicFluid_sampling2—> photo of me (Co-Pi Henson) sampling coelomic fluid from sea urchins

September_USVI_fieldteam —> photo of the collective field in during the September Field Campaign.

UEILC ListServ: JHU REU Program in Energy: Opportunity for your Undergraduates

 

Call for SDGs work: 8th International Symposium for Sustainable Development

 Students are encouraged to submit any SDGs-related project, art, or personal passions.

8th International Symposium for Sustainable Development

Important dates

October 24, 12 am CDT

Deadline for all submissions.

Submit Now

Abstracts/Narratives

• Abstract (250 words) about your sustainable development research or project
• Narrative (250 words) about your SDGs education/teaching and individual/organizational/community/business practice
• See abstract sample and download a template for abstract or narrative for submission   

Static Arts

Drawing, photo, haiku/poem, and other creative content

Dynamic Arts

Short video (e.g. documentary, music, dancing, acting, passion statement, or other creative content

Learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals here: https://gehlab.org/symposium-2025

Learn more about the project and how to submit here:https://gehlab.org/call-for-sdgs-work-2025-1

Northern Exposure Series

 Northern Exposure: Where Curiosity Meets Research

Northern Exposure is a weekly meetup where NIU faculty open the door to their research worlds. 

In a relaxed, conversational format, you'll explore different fields, hear about active and relevant 

problems, and discover why solving them matters.

Join Us

Come with your curiosity and leave with new connections, ideas, and inspiration. Northern 

Exposure is open to all NIU students, faculty, and staff.

• When: Fridays, 1:00-2:00 PM

• Where: 71 North Partnership Studio

Why Attend?

At Northern Exposure, you’ll have the chance to meet faculty researchers in an approachable 

setting, hear directly from them about why their work is important, and learn how their research 

connects to real-world challenges. It’s also a valuable way to discover ideas for projects, 

proposals, or collaborations while building connections with faculty and peers across campus.

Who Should Come?

• Students curious about research and its impact

• Student innovators seeking expert connections and problem spaces

• Anyone looking for inspiration and new ideas

How It Works

• Welcome & Intro – 5 min

• Faculty Talk – 20 min

• Q&A – 10 min

• Open discussion: Why It Matters + Open Problems – 15 min

• Networking – 10 min

Research Topics Across Disciplines

Presentations will represent a wide range of fields, from the sciences and engineering to the arts, 

humanities, and social sciences. The goal is to offer a broad view of the active, relevant problems 

NIU faculty are working on and to show how different disciplines approach solving them.

Fall 2025 Schedule

• 9/12 – Matt Deitch, PhD: From Streams to Wetlands: The Importance of Scientific 

Approaches in Restoring Aquatic Ecosystems.

• 9/19 – Pallavi Singh, PhD: Antimicrobials Around Us: Connecting Health Across 

Humans, Animals, and the Environment.

• 9/26 – Anitha Saravanan, PhD: How to Enhance Health in Older Adults in a Digital 

Era.

• 10/03 – Megan Brown, PhD: Microplastics: Small Size, Big Problems.

• 10/10 – Nathan Stansell, PhD: Glaciers and Climate Change in the Tropical Andes.

• 10/17 – Angela Grippo, PhD: The Heart-Brain Connection: How Coping with Stress 

Promotes Health.

• 10/24 – Roland Winkler, PhD: Altermagnets: A New Type of Magnetism Emerges.

• 10/31 – David Gunkel, PhD: Person, Thing, Robot OR LLM 101: A Critical 

Introduction to Large Language Models.

• 11/07 – Lynn Herrman, PhD: Make Your Move: Is Technology a Help or Hindrance to 

Your Well-being?

• 11/14 – Biagio Palese, PhD: Bridging Minds and Machines: A Balanced Approach to AI 

for Teaching

Small Mammal Trapping in October - Volunteers Needed

 

Applications are open now for 2026 Biota Award Postdoctoral Fellowships

 Applications are now open for the 2026 Biota Awards, a program to fund early-career researchers based in Illinois who seek to restore, protect, and conserve biodiversity locally and around the world. 

Applications are due October 21, 2025.
 

2026 Biota Award Application

Award Eligibility
For the second year running, the 2026 Biota Awards are exclusively focused on providing support for postdoctoral scientists. We intend to return to supporting independent investigators in the 2027 Biota Awards. 

Postdoctoral fellows must be employed by and have a primary adviser at an institution in Illinois by the start of the grant. Researchers that are currently based outside of Illinois (either completing a Ph.D. or working as a postdoc) are encouraged to apply by developing a proposal with an adviser at an institution in Illinois. 

For researchers proposing projects at Chicago-region* institutions, the geographic focus of the research is not restricted, and projects may focus on biodiversity and conservation topics relevant to the Chicago region or elsewhere, for example biodiversity hotspots and/or the Global South.  

For researchers proposing projects at Illinois institutions outside of the Chicago region* (e.g. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign or Illinois State University), the geographic focus of the research and intended outcomes must be the Chicago region.

If successful, the researcher would need to move to the region to take up employment at a local grantee organization.

*The Chicago region is broadly defined as the Metropolitan Statistical Areaaccording to the United States Census Bureau.

Award Program Aims
We aim to:

·         Attract and retain exceptional postdoctoral scientists in Illinois

·         Encourage postdoctoral scientists to think creatively and independently about how their research can be applied to deliver on-the-ground results

·         Develop a more inclusive and equitable biodiversity research community by supporting fellows from a wide range of backgrounds

Award Support
Selected Biota Award recipients will receive:

·         Annual salary of $70,000 in Year 1 and $73,500 in Year 2

·         Fringe benefits at the host institution’s rate for postdocs 

·         Annual research and travel allowance of $20,000

·         Relocation allowance of up to $3,000 for those moving from outside of Illinois

·         Indirect costs of 15% to the host institution

Further Award Details
Full program and application details and requirements are available on the Biota Awards website. In addition, interested applicants may register for an informational webinar about the opportunity that will take place on July 29, 2025 at 12 p.m. Central.