College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

Student Research Assistant - Arthropod Research on Tomatoes

Employment type: Full-Time
Application Due Date: March 6, 2026

Student Research Assistant MSU Horticulture

 

Employment type: Full-Time for Summer Application Deadline: March 6, 2026

 

Student Research Assistant (Student Worker)

 

Michigan State University

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Department of Horticulture/Smith Lab

 

Position Description The Smith Lab (https://smithbirdslab.com/) is seeking an undergraduate research assistant to conduct surveys of arthropods on tomatoes on farms. The project is examining how installing songbird nestboxes on small-scale organic farms impacts pest arthropods on crops. The student would be directly supervised/mentored by graduate student Ellie Zebas. Surveys would be conducted from around May 15th through the start of August. The student would work approximately 40 hours a week. Ideally, the student would be available a few hours a week in late spring to begin training. There would be opportunity for the student to work part-time in fall sorting and identifying insects, as well as analyzing images for pest damage. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain mentored research experience. There will be opportunities to gain extension experience as well.

 

 

Example of a nestbox used in the study.

 

What You’ll Do

- Conduct surveys of arthropods on tomato plants on working farms

- Collect arthropods from tomato plants

- Assess insect damage on plants

- Conduct outreach to farmers in the study and contribute to 2+ farm field days including the general public

- Enter data

 

Who We’re Looking For

- Currently enrolled MSU undergraduate student or recent graduate

- Someone who has taken or will have taken ENT 404 Fundamentals of Entomology by May 2026

- Must be able to identify common arthropods on tomato plants in the field with the help of a key

- Detail-oriented, reliable, and motivated

- Someone interested in and able to communicate with farmers

- Willingness to conduct research on farms in the summer when it is hot

 

Example parasitized tomato hornworm found on a farm in the study.

 

What You’ll Gain

- Hands-on, mentored research experience

- Professional skill development

- Great experience for resumes/CVs, grad school, and industry careers

To Apply: Email your resume/CV and a cover letter to Dr. Olivia Smith (smitho17@msu.edu) and Ellie Zebas (zebasell@msu.edu). Use the subject line “Student tomato technician”.