Undergraduate Research Assistant

The Hemingway Lab at UTK is seeking an undergraduate research assistant to join our team studying bumblebee behavior and decision-making. This position provides hands-on research experience in animal behavior, data analysis, and scientific communication.

Responsibilities

Conduct behavioral experiments with live bumblebees

Handle and care for bees in the lab setting (feeding, colony maintenance, cleaning)

Collect and code behavioral data using standardized protocols

Assist with preliminary data analysis and contribute to writing research reports or manuscripts

Participate in lab meetings and discussions of experimental design and results

Minimum Requirements

Enrolled undergraduate student at [University]

Ability to commit at least 10 hours per week during the semester

Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

Willingness to handle live insects and maintain proper animal care standards

Reliability, punctuality, and ability to work independently after training

Preferred Skills/Experience (not required but beneficial)

Coursework or background in biology, psychology, neuroscience, or related fields

Previous laboratory experience (animal care, data collection, coding/annotation)

Familiarity with data analysis software (primarily Excel & R)

Strong communication and writing skills

What You’ll Gain

Direct experience in experimental design and behavioral research methods

Training in animal care, scientific data collection, and analysis

Opportunities to contribute to publications and conference presentations

Mentorship in research skills and career development