Role Title: Pilbara Biodiversity Survey - Entomology Intern 1
Organisation: WA Museum
Internship Period: Winter (June - July)
Location: Welshpool
The Western Australian Museum is looking for keen biologists to help us sort, identify and register thousands of insect specimens collected during a survey of the Pilbara region that took place over several years starting in 2002. New specimen records will be directly contributing to the WA Museum Legacy Project, as well as the CALM Pilbara Survey Project (in collaboration with Fortescue).
The project will involve sorting through jars of bulk invertebrate wet-pit trap material and sorting specimens into taxonomic groups, using basic identification keys and light microscopy.
The majority of specimens will be identified to order level. Specimens identified to family or genus-level will be verified by staff, and will then be pinned for the entomology collection or separated into new jars of ethanol with appropriate labels.
The project is considered vital for the identification and long-term conservation of native insects of the Pilbara region.
The intern will be expected to fill in a templated spreadsheet of specimens using Microsoft Excel. Training in entomological identification and preservation techniques will be provided.
The Western Australian Museum is the State’s premier cultural organisation, housing WA’s scientific and cultural collection. For over 120 years the Museum has been making the State's natural and social heritage accessible and engaging through research, exhibitions and public programs.