Explore Ecology as a Career

Ecology As A Career

What Do Ecologists Do?

Interested in Aquatic Ecology? Environmental Justice? International Affairs? Learn about all the fascinating types of research interests ESA members have. ESA Sections and Chapters

Issues in Ecology are great introductions to the burning issues in ecology! Ecological research interests

Browse through our interdisciplinary journal. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Browse through the current and past meeting programs using keyword searches. Past annual meeting programs

Applying and Getting into Graduate School

Primer on How to Apply and Get into Graduate School Commentary by Walter P. Carson in the ESA Bulletin. Read the article

So You Want to Be an Ecologist?

Careers in Ecology

Find out what you can be doing right now to prepare for a career in ecology! Browse types of jobs, employers, job outlook, and ways to gain experience.

Interested in Ecological Careers Beyond Academia?

Exploring Ecological Careers is a great series in the Frontiers journal.

Info for High School Students Info for Undergraduate Students

Student Resources

Explore student opportunities for aspiring ecologists offered by ESA, including travel awards and ways to get involved!

Find a Job in Ecology

Job Boards

Browse current internship and full-time employment opportunities in many areas of ecology, from Agronomy to Zoology.

Subscribe to ECOLOG-L listserv for jobs, grants, and news. Login is required. No ESA Membership necessary.

More Job sites at ESA’s Next Generation Careers project site.

Check out ESA’s collaboration with the US Geological Survey to offer summer internships to outstanding field-trained undergraduates.

Bureau of Labor Statistics
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information on employment, wages, training and qualifications, and work environment:

Resources in Europe

European Job Search Sites

Ecological Society of Germany
Greenjobs.de
Jobvector.de
Academics.de
Science-Jobs-De
German Zoological Association (Deutsche Zoologische Gesellschaft)
Jobbydoo.de
German listserv for academic jobs in biology

News

Ecological body names CU Boulder’s Mike Gil an early career fellow

The Ecological Society of America recognizes CU Boulder scientist for making ‘outstanding contributions’ to the field.

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New study reveals complex relationships among grizzly bear activity, ecotourism, and salmon availability

The study shows that grizzly bear activity in Khutze was influenced by the amount of human activity, habitat structure and salmon availability.

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UW’s Bethann Garramon Merkle Elected as ESA Early Career Fellow

Bethann Garramon Merkle, a University of Wyoming Department of Zoology and Physiology assistant professor of practice, has been elected as an Early Career Fellows by the Ecological Society of America.

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Ecological Society of America names Dan Costa a lifetime fellow

Dan Costa, distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and director of UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of Marine Sciences, has been named a 2024 Fellow of the Ecological Society of America.

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Annual Meeting

Mark your Calendar!

This year’s meeting will emphasize the society’s mission of supporting ecologists throughout their careers. The emphasis recognizes the need for us to continually invest in all the people who advance the science and practice of ecology. Among many aspects of professional development, we are planning programming and invite contributions that consider the transformational potential of effective mentorship.

Learn More & Register

Journals & Publications

Ecology

Adult female elk (Cervus canadensis) in northeastern Washington, USA, balance shifting risks from cougars, wolves, and humans by altering habitat preferences according to the time of day. In their study published in the April issue of Ecology, Ganz et al. found that humans caused most adult female elk deaths through hunting and vehicle collisions, and elk prioritized avoiding humans over wolves and cougars in the daytime, when humans are most active. At night, elk primarily avoided cougars and wolves (when these carnivores primarily hunt) and preferred areas near human activities, which reduced exposure to the threat of wolf predation.