HBS Research Assistant T00569

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applicants must apply online. PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS. Qualified applicants will be contacted by the department directly if selected for interview.

Please Note:

Temporary employees are paid bi-weekly on an hourly basis and do not receive benefits.

The Highlands Biological Station (HBS), a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University, is seeking a Research Assistant to conduct both lab and field work at the Station, located in Highlands, NC. Lab work includes data entry into Microsoft Access and Excel and using a microscope to sort insects to Order. Field work includes measuring and identifying trees and shrubs, assisting with bird banding, and assisting with sampling of insects using a beat sheet.

Other duties may include assisting with sampling microplastics in headwater streams and conducting biological inventories in the field. Assisting with Bat/Mine project and Wetland research. Some evening and early morning (pre-dawn) work is required. Heavy lifting (35 lbs.) may be required. Field work may occur in the rain, on steep mountain slopes, and on hot, humid days.

Highlands Biological Station was founded in 1927 and is a field station of Western Carolina University. The station is situated on the Highlands Plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina and lies within walking distance of the town of Highlands. More about the Highlands Biological Station can be found here: highlandsbiological.org

Position will start January 12 and end December 12. This position is 40 hours a week until August 17th, then moves to 20 hours per week.

Applicants should be familiar with native trees and shrubs in the region.

Applicants should either have an undergraduate degree in biology, botany, environmental science, or natural resources or be a junior or senior pursuing such degree. Applicants should be familiar with Excel and be willing to learn about southern Appalachian flora and fauna.

Preference will be given to applicants who are familiar in identifying common insects to Order and who have some experience working at a bird banding station.

Open Date 11/24/2025

Close Date 01/05/2026

Open Until Filled No

Applicants must apply online. PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS. Qualified applicants will be contacted by the department directly if selected for interview.

Please Note:

Temporary employees are paid bi-weekly on an hourly basis and do not receive benefits.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation;
National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring…