Student Jobs

Project Pawpaw is a crowdfunded research and breeding program dedicated to promoting the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) as a sustainable fruit crop for small farmers. Pawpaws are North America’s largest native fruit and taste like a cross between mango and banana with a soft texture like a ripe avocado. Pawpaws have tremendous potential as a high-value, low-input sustainable fruit crop for small farmers.  

Project Pawpaw was founded by a graduate of the UW Madison Department of Horticulture and has been working to plant pawpaw research orchards around the country to help develop more informed planting and care recommendations, test existing pawpaw varieties in diverse environments, and breed new varieties of pawpaw better suited for those environments. Through research, plant breeding, and market development, Project Pawpaw aims to preserve small farm viability while providing communities with high quality, healthy, and delicious local fruit.

 Flexible scheduling, evenings preferred, optional weekends

We're seeking an enthusiastic undergraduate intern to assist with various aspects of our pawpaw research and operations. This part-time position offers hands-on experience in plant science, agriculture, and small business operations.

Details

• Location: Primary work sites in Middleton and Verona, WI with occasional travel to Spring Green, WI. Candidate must have reliable transportation.
• Hours: 4-6 hours per week (flexible scheduling available, evenings preferred)
• Compensation: $15/hour
• Duration: June 1 to October 15, 2025 (earlier start date preferred if possible)

Duties

• Assist with laboratory work including media preparation, experiment setup, and fruit quality evaluations, germination trials, and micropropagation 
• Participate in fieldwork: tree planting, orchard maintenance, field data collection
• Support plant propagation activities in potted plant nursery, opportunities to learn grafting
• Help with marketing and social media content creation
• Process and fulfill online orders

Requirements

• Current undergraduate student (preferably in horticulture, biology, agriculture, or related field)
• Must have reliable transportation to work sites
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions
• Interest in sustainable agriculture and plant science
• Attention to detail and ability to follow protocols accurately
• Basic computer skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in gardening, farming, or plant care
• Familiarity with laboratory techniques
• Interest in specialty crop production or agroforestry
• Social media skills and marketing interest
• Excellent communication skills
• Assist with in-person sales events

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in this position to info@projectpawpaw.com