University Students

Vertically Integrated Projects

We host various Vertically Integrated Project opportunities each semester for both Boise State and College of Western Idaho undergraduate and graduate students. These range from habitat restoration work, to on-campus window strike research, to bird banding, to interpretive sign design and development. We are open to new project ideas that integrate your interests and IBO’s work. Contact HeidiWare@boisestate.edu to learn how your interests fit with what we do!

Paid internships

Learn about our habitat restoration internships and Lucky Peak internships. Stipend amounts vary by project and funding. Work study funding is available (for those who qualify).

IRES Program: Raptor Research in Spain

IBO and the Raptor Research Center work collaboratively on this IRES-RR program. It pairs Boise State University’s expertise in raptor biology with globally recognized international partner, Fundación Migres in Tarifa, Spain, in collaborative research addressing the effects of a changing climate, oceanographic conditions, wind dynamics, and renewable energy on migratory raptors. Read more about the IRES program.

Graduate Students

IBO Research Director, Jay Carlisle, is an associate research faculty member of Boise State University. He advises and serves on committees for graduate students in the Biology (MS), Ecology Evolution and Behavior (PhD), and Raptor Biology (MS) programs.

Visit our jobs page for position announcements or contact Jay at JayCarlisle@BoiseState.edu

IBO Director, Greg Kaltenecker, also co-advises graduate students on various raptor projects. Reach out to GregoryKaltenecker@boisestate.edu if you have a research interest that aligns with IBO’s work.

See examples of previous IBO graduate research here.

Data-based Projects

We work with university students, aspiring graduate students, and course instructors by sharing our long term data sets to answer research questions. These projects are excellent opportunities to add to your CV and network with other professionals in the field in preparation for Graduate School. Visit our Project Showcase to see past student work. These opportunities may be for-credit (for Boise State or CWI students) or work study (for those who qualify).

Opportunities include:

• Presentations at professional societies
• Undergraduate Research Conference posters and presentations
• Class projects

And experience gained includes:

• Data proofing and dataset management
• Data analysis*
• Poster and oral presentations
• Journal publications*

*IBO staff are available on a limited basis for large data analysis and publication projects, depending on the project and funding levels. We also welcome students to work with outside mentors to utilize our data. Contact us for more information.

Summer Jobs and Additional Opportunities

We also welcome undergrads and early-career biologists to gain valuable experience through our various internships and volunteer opportunities, so be sure to visit our jobs page to learn more about these opportunities.

Students can gain experience in:

• Field techniques: at our Lucky Peak station
• Workshops
• Public outreach and science communication: at our Diane Moore Nature Center station