Seasonal Field Technician, Velotta Lab

Position Summary

The Velotta Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences is seeking to hire one seasonal field technician to assist with research on the ecology of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Colorado and in collaboration with Nathan Senners lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The project is focused on understanding how deer mouse physiology and population dynamics are influenced by parasites and environmental variation. The field technician will assist with all aspects of fieldwork with opportunities for learning research skills throughout the season. The technician will work closely alongside a PhD student at the University of Denver and another seasonal technician.

The position will run from April 15 2026 - October 15 2026. Airfare shared field housing food all necessary equipment and an hourly rate of $19.29/hour will be provided.

This is a non-benefited position not to exceed 1000 hours in a calendar year.

Essential Functions

• Maintenance of a small mammal trapping grid.
• Capture handling and tagging of deer mice.
• Field physiology including respirometry (metabolic rate measurement).
• Field behavioral trials.
• Working in the plains and mountains in sometimes rugged terrain.
• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork and inclusiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Interest in mammalian ecology field biology physiology species interactions and/or related fields.
• Comfortable living and sleeping in close quarters with the team.
• Comfortable working at high elevations in sometimes rugged terrain.
• Strong work ethic eagerness to learn fieldwork and research methods and ability to work well on a team and independently in challenging physical conditions and sometimes stressful scenarios. Applicant must be adaptable communicative cooperative and detail oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with fieldwork and following research protocols
• Previous experience with small mammal trapping and handling
• Familiarity with respirometry
• Evidence of strong teamwork abilities

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• This position requires working in mountain environments in challenging physical conditions - including high elevation bright sun rain snow fog and walking long distances.
• The position requires lifting heavy objects (50lbs) at high elevations.

Work Schedule

The position will run from April 15 2026 October 15 2026.

Work hours may vary throughout the season with efforts requiring both working early in the morning and late into the evening.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) February 24 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Information

Airfare shared field housing food all necessary equipment and a stipend of $19.29 per hour will be provided.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers some benefits for non-benefited employees. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.