Indiana Biological Survey

Student Opportunities

Volunteer Positions

• Librarian
  • Description of Duties
    • The incumbent shall be responsible for the management, computerization of data, accession of materials, filling of loan requests, and care of the Indiana Biological Survey library collection. The collection represents over 20,000 reprints, a small assortment of journals, and specialized aquatic books and periodicals. The Survey maintains the Robert Wallus library, which is a donated collection of early life history literature and has received numerous donations of personal libraries.
    • The incumbent will be responsible for the logistics, execution, and delivery of the director's instructions so that the formal policies of the Indiana Biological Survey are observed and the needs of the staff and students are met.
    • These responsibilities require careful attention to ensuring the longevity of materials are retained for future research use by the curator, assistant curators, and research associates.
    • The librarian will assist the curator and collection managers in the creation of electronic records; maintenance of work space, and cleanliness of the library; and facilitate the exchange of information that is needed by the curator, associate curators, and collection managers.
    • The librarian will be asked to obtain interlibrary loans; organize the existing reprint, book, journal, and periodical library; and keep electronic documentation of materials.
  • Qualifications
    • Preference is given to graduate and upper class undergraduate students; however, sophomores will be considered with a recommendation by a professor.
    • The student should have a major in library science.
    • Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent must be capable of following library science procedures, organize, and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
    • Experience with Pro Cite, spreadsheets and database programs is necessary but can be trained, especially Excel, Access and Paradox.
  • To apply, or for more information, please contact:
    Stephanie Worden, Collection Manager
    (812) 824-8500
    Email

• Collections Manager - Division of Crayfishes
  • Description of Duties
    • The incumbent shall be responsible for the management, computerization of data, accession of materials, filling of loan requests, and care of the Indiana Biological Survey crustacean collection. The collection represents over 25,000 specimens of North American Decapod crustaceans from 6-7,000 lots of materials primarily from Indiana, the Midwest, and Southeastern United States.
    • The incumbent will be responsible for the logistics, execution, and delivery of the curator's instructions so that the formal policies of the Indiana Biological Survey are observed.
    • These responsibilities require careful manipulation of specimens so that the longevity of materials are retained for future research use by the curator, assistant curators, and research associates.
    • The collection manager will assist the curator in specimen processing; but be fully responsible for the creation of labels and electronic records; maintenance of work space, jars, and cleanliness of the Crustacean Division; and facilitate the exchange of information, specimens, and information that is needed by the curator and associate curators.
    • The collection manager will also assist in field collections and provide logistical support to obtain new materials. These surveys most likely will be in Indiana, but may include areas outside of the State. Recent survey expeditions within the last five years have included Alabama, Tennessee, the Great Lakes, and the Northern Lakes and Forest Ecoregion (northern Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin).
  • Qualifications
    • Preference is given to graduate and upper class undergraduate students; however, sophomores will be considered with a recommendation by a professor.
    • The student should have a major in either Biological Sciences (BIO), Environmental Sciences (SPEA), or Outdoor Recreation (HPER) and an interest in crayfish and freshwater shrimp.
    • Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent must be capable of enduring physical stress in the performance of field duties including heat, fatigue, and physical exertion.
    • In addition, laboratory responsibilities will involve the lifting of jars to heights of 6 feet, maneuvering within the stacks among tight spaces, and requires physical dexterity.
    • Experience with spreadsheets and database programs is necessary but can be trained, especially Excel, Access and Paradox.
  • To apply, or for more information, please contact:
    Stephanie Worden, Collection Manager
    (812) 824-8500
    Email

• Collections Manager - Division of Fishes
  • Description of Duties
    • The incumbent shall be responsible for the management, computerization of data, accession of materials, filling of loan requests, and care of the Indiana Biological Survey fish collection. The collection represents over 17 Million specimens of North American fishes from 25-27,000 lots of materials primarily from Indiana, and North America east of the Mississippi River. The fish collection includes the second largest collection of larval and juvenile stages of freshwater fishes in North America.
    • The incumbent will be responsible for the logistics, execution, and delivery of the curator's instructions so that the formal policies of the Indiana Biological Survey are observed. These responsibilities require careful manipulation of specimens so that the longevity of materials are retained for future research use by the curator, assistant curators, and research associates.
    • The collection manager will assist the curator in specimen processing; but be fully responsible for the creation of labels and electronic records; maintenance of work space, jars, and cleanliness of the Fish Division; and facilitate the exchange of information, specimens, and information that is needed by the curator and associate curators. The collection manager will also assist in field collections and provide logistic support to obtain new materials. These surveys most likely will be in Indiana, but may include areas outside of the State. Recent survey expeditions within the last five years have included Alabama, Tennessee, the Great Lakes, and the Northern Lakes and Forest Ecoregion (northern Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin).
  • Qualifications
    • Preference is given to graduate and upper class undergraduate students; however, sophomores will be considered with a recommendation by a professor.
    • The student should have a major in either Biological Sciences (BIO), Environmental Sciences (SPEA), or Outdoor Recreation (HPER) and an interest in fish.
    • Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent must be capable of enduring physical stress in the performance of field duties including heat, fatigue, and physical exertion.
    • In addition, laboratory responsibilities will involve the lifting of jars to heights of 6 feet, maneuvering within the stacks among tight spaces, and requires physical dexterity.
    • Experience with spreadsheets and database programs is necessary but can be trained, especially Excel, Access and Paradox.
  • To apply, or for more information, please contact:
    Stephanie Worden, Collection Manager
    (812) 824-8500
    Email

• Research Assistant
  • Description of Duties
    • The incumbent shall be responsible for the assistance of curators, collection managers, and research associates to facilitate the implementation of research projects within the Aquatic Research Center.
    • The incumbent shall assist in the conductance of research projects by providing field and laboratory support. Support can include field sampling for fish and crayfish with Survey staff, preliminary analysis of data and data management, library and specimen research, and assist in the care of the Indiana Biological Survey crustacean and fish collection.
    • The incumbent will be responsible for the logistics, execution, and delivery of the curator's instructions so that the formal policies of the Indiana Biological Survey are observed. The research assistant will assist the curator during specimen processing, but be fully responsible for the collection and addition of new materials to the Center. Sorting of specimens, placement of specimens into appropriate jars, and assistance on Center projects are a priority.
    • Current projects include the completion of the Fishes of Indiana and beginning the formation of the Crayfishes of Indiana. These projects would require the incumbent to assist in the development of tables, figures, and literature citations. Information will be included in the Surveys electronic database.
    • The research associate primary duties will be to assist in field collections and provide logistic support to obtain new materials. These surveys may be in Indiana, but most likely will include areas outside of the State. Recent survey expeditions within the last five years have included Alabama, Tennessee, the Great Lakes, and the Northern Lakes and Forest Ecoregion (northern Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin).
  • Qualifications
    • Preference is given to graduate and upper class undergraduate students; however, sophomores will be considered with a recommendation by a professor.
    • The student should have a major in either Biological Sciences (BIO), Environmental Sciences (SPEA), or Outdoor Recreation (HPER) and an interest in fish.
    • Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent must be capable of enduring physical stress in the performance of field duties including heat, fatigue, and physical exertion.
    • In addition, laboratory responsibilities will involve the lifting of jars to heights of 6 feet, maneuvering within the stacks among tight spaces, and requires physical dexterity.
    • Experience with spreadsheets and database programs is necessary but can be trained, especially Excel, Access and Paradox.
  • To apply, or for more information, please contact:
    Stephanie Worden, Collection Manager
    (812) 824-8500
    Email