Looking for a Data Specialist

Volunteer Position Posting: Data Specialist
Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences – Laboratory of Fungal Ecology and Evolution

Overview
The Laboratory of Fungal Ecology and Evolution (LFEE) at the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences is seeking a motivated Northeastern University student to join the team as a Data Specialist for the Fall 2025 semester (with potential extension). This volunteer role will directly support the development of the Multi-Trophic Interactions Database (MulTI Database), an open-access resource focused on host–parasite networks, specifically bats, bat flies, and their parasitic fungi.

This is an exciting opportunity to gain data-related research experience with an intersection of data science, ecology, and conservation biology, while working with an international research team in České Budějovice. This position will
be managed by a Northeastern alumnus and researcher and further receive supervision by the LFEE lab head, ensuring that the individual who obtains this position will receive meaningful and positive experiences that further their academic and professional careers.

Responsibilities

• Assist with data cleaning, structuring, and pipeline development to support the MulTI Database.
• Collaborate with team members in České Budějovice to ensure accuracy and standardization of data.
• Incorporate datasets of specimen records and associated metadata into the MulTI Database.
• Contribute to database documentation and integration of ecological, parasitological, and fungal datasets.
• Provide input on workflows, automation, and potential improvements to the research pipeline.
• Support in summarizing results and drafting write-ups for internal reporting and potential publications.

Requirements

• Academic standing: Junior (3rd year) or above, in Data Science, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Environmental/Data Analytics, or a related field.
• Experience: At least one experiential learning position, co-op, or project in data management or analysis.
• Skills:
  • Proficiency in Python and SQL/MySQL
  • Experience with relational databases (SQLAlchemy a plus)
  • Familiarity with AWS cloud tools is a plus
  • Experience with GitHub (for version control and collaboration) is a plus
• Preferred background: Prior research experience (academic, co-op, or lab-based) and/or experience writing up results for reports, posters, or publications.
• Strong problem-solving skills, curiosity, and ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Interest in ecology, conservation, or biological data systems is highly valued.

About the Project
The MulTI Database is designed to address a critical knowledge gap in conservation biology by documenting host–parasite interactions in a multitrophic system involving bats, their ectoparasitic bat flies, and microfungi. These taxa represent an understudied yet ecologically vital network that is highly vulnerable to extinction cascades. The database will serve as a foundation for advancing parasitology, fungal ecology, and bat conservation, while informing IUCN Red List assessments and global biodiversity strategies.

Publications:

• de Groot MD, Dumolein I, Hiller T, Sándor AD, Szentiványi T, Schilthuizen M, Aime MC, Verbeken A, Haelewaters D. 2020. On the fly: tritrophic associations of bats, bat flies, and fungi. Journal of Fungi 6(4): 361. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6040361
• Haelewaters D, Hiller T, Dick CW. 2018. Bats, bat flies, and fungi: a case of hyperparasitism. Trends in Parasitology 34(9): 784-799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2018.06.006
• Williams A, Pan JY, Aime MC, Bailey JJ, Blažević M, Blondelle A, Camacho JJ, Cocherán Pittí KP, de Groot MD, De Wint FC, Dick CW, Dumolein I, Gerteisen JR, Görföl T, Hiller T, Hlávková D, Hofmann TA, Hughes M, Jelić D, Krajnović M, Liu J, Martin TE, Medina-van Berkum P, Mortier L, Nedvěd O, Page RA, Pfister DH, Pfliegler WP, Sándor A, Shapiro JT, Silas KA, Suvorova A, Szentiványi T, Van Caenegem W, Verbeken A, Villarreal Saucedo RV, Weiss M, Haelewaters D. Introducing a global Multi-Trophic Interactions (MulTI) Database of host-parasite associations involving bats, bat flies, and microfungi. In preparation.
• Van Caenegem W, Blondelle A, Dumolein I, Santamaria B, Dick CW, Hiller T, Liu J, Quandt CA, Villarreal Saucedo RV, Verbeken A, Haelewaters D. 2023. Five new species of Gloeandromyces (Fungi, Laboulbeniales) from tropical American bat flies (Diptera, Streblidae), revealed by morphology and phylogenetic reconstruction. Mycologia 115(5): 714-737. https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.2023.2230114
• Walker MJ, Dorrestein A, Camacho JJ, Hiller T, Meckler LA, Silas KA, Haelewaters D. 2018. A tripartite survey of hyperparasitic fungi associated with ectoparasitic flies on bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in a neotropical cloud forest in Panama. Parasite 25: 19. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2018017

To Apply

Please send a brief statement of interest (1 paragraph), your resume, and any relevant project/coursework examples (GitHub links welcome) to this survey. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and a decision would most likely be made at the start of October. If you feel like you are missing a desired skill but could be a great candidate, feel free to apply!