2026 Internship Opportunities

In human-dominated landscapes, working lands and restored habitats are vital for sustaining biodiversity as urbanization fragments natural ecosystems. Agricultural fields, grazed pastures, and managed meadows must serve not only economic purposes but also act as refuges for wildlife. How these lands are managed ultimately shapes vegetation and floral resource availability, influencing which fauna persist. Understanding these dynamics is essential for balancing production and recreation with conservation.

Using Duke Farms as a model landscape, this project will examine how three management approaches, grazing, mowing, and passive management, filter insect community composition across grasslands. We will characterize insect and plant community composition over this 8-week internship and investigate how functional groups vary with management type and subsequent vegetation structure. Linking land management to insect biodiversity will provide insights to guide sustainable land use and restoration in densely populated and peri-urban environments.

Over the course of the internship, student(s) will be responsible for a combination of field data collection, sample processing, and data management. Insect sampling will take place weekly from June through August using a combination of active and passive sampling techniques. The student will collect and process specimens, record habitat measurements during each visit, and maintain accurate records in a centralized database. The student will provide data to support the mapping and visualization of site-level data in ArcGIS, as well as statistical analysis and figure generation in R. Students will be offered the opportunity to tailor aspects of the project around their own interests.

Over the course of this internship, interns will gain hands-on experience in ecological fieldwork, including standard insect sampling techniques, and vegetation monitoring. They will learn to process and identify insect specimens to morphospecies or functional groups and practice best practices in data management. Interns will also gain exposure to ArcGIS and Survey123 for spatial analyses, R for data analysis, and principles of ecological experimental design, while exploring how sustainable agriculture and land management practices influence biodiversity.

None required, but students who have interest or experience in ecology, sustainable agriculture, entomology, or environmental science are encouraged to apply.

Experience with field work and/or comfortable spending time outdoors. Attention to detail and the ability to comfortably use a microscope is also a plus.

Students may be exposed to hot temperatures, navigating difficult or undesirable terrain, poison ivy, ticks, mud, and other conditions associated with field work. This work also involves interactions with insects, some that can sting.

• Students should bring a laptop, as well as clothing appropriate for fieldwork, including long pants, sturdy boots, hats, and other gear suitable for working outdoors in hot and humid conditions.
• Duke Farms is 15 miles from Princeton University and is difficult to access without a vehicle.

• Students will meet with internship mentors in the spring, prior to the internship start date. Reading materials may also be provided.
• At the start of the internship, all interns will participate in an 8-hour orientation and training specific to Duke Farms. This training will include getting to know each other and staff, an introduction to the site and its protocols, field safety procedures, and hands-on instruction in technical sampling. Emphasis will be placed on proper data collection, management, and best practices to ensure high-quality, accurate data that support ongoing research and conservation efforts.
• Students are responsible for securing accommodations for the duration of their internship. On-campus summer housing is typically available the first week of June until the first week of August (details to become available in Spring 2026). If the internship falls outside of on-campus housing availability, students will need to secure alternate housing.
• Occasional weekend work may be required depending on weather and field conditions.