We are looking for volunteers/students to help with fieldwork!
Our research focuses on monitoring the activity of bats and insects in agricultural areas, with particular emphasis on water reservoirs. The aim of the research is to better understand the relationship between the agricultural landscape, insect availability, and bat foraging activity.
Fieldwork will take place in the spring and summer (May-July) of 2026 in north-central Poland near the village of Bratuszewo. The research will involve regular field trips, acoustic monitoring of bats, insect trapping, and searching for breeding colonies. Project participants will have the opportunity to learn how field research is planned and carried out in practice – from the initial idea, through data collection, to preliminary analysis.
What you can learn:
- the basics of bat ecology and research methods,
- how to monitor bat and insect activity in the field,
- how to work with field equipment (ultrasonic detectors, insect traps, drones),
- how to work with field data and perform its preliminary analysis.
- practical experience in ecological research
Brief description of the research
Previous fieldwork experience is welcome but not required. We are looking for people with a category B driver’s license due to the need to travel by car during the research. We prefer people who are available for the entire duration of the research (3 months) and we guarantee accommodation for that time. If you would like to extend your cooperation, there is a possibility of writing a thesis (bachelor’s or master’s) and publishing your work.
Application procedure: Please fill out the questionnaire available on the website —link— and send it to Hania Witaszczyk, at: h.witaszczyk@ibs.bialowieza.pl
