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Internship and Job Resources

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A list of resources to help our current students and graduates land the perfect internship or job in both marine science and environmental studies.

Some General Search Links for Internships and Jobs 

Specific Internship Opportunities and Deadlines

Below are some individual opportunities, instead of more general searches, most of which are paid opportunities. Some opportunities listed are from previous years but can be a good starting point as many internship programs are likely to be offered in subsequent years. You can also search by the same job tile and organization in internet search engines for more information.

PLEASE NOTE: Application deadlines are included where possible, but confirm deadlines on each program website. 

Aquaculture Experiential Opportunities for Undergraduate Students (AquEOUS) Fellowship

Is a USDA Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates (REEU) at the University of Maine’s Wabanaki Center and Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) and in collaboration with Wabanaki Youth in Science.

This unique fellowship offers undergraduate students from around the nation an opportunity to combine indigenous science and STEM concepts to solve real-world problems in aquaculture at the University of Maine’s world-class aquaculture facilities. Mentorship will be provided by interdisciplinary faculty and indigenous knowledge keepers.

Through this fellowship, students will have an array of research foci from which to choose. They will co-design projects using concepts learned from their mentors as well as seminars, field trips, and workshops in indigenous knowledge, applied aquaculture science, science communications, and STEM concepts. Students will live at the University of Maine in Orono for 10 weeks and will participate in a virtual seminar. Applications are due by January 26th. 

2024 UNOLS-Mate Marine Technical Internship Program

The U.S. Academic Research Fleet of UNOLS-designated research ships will host 1 long-term (approximately 6 months) and 12-14 short-term (2-12 weeks each) marine technical internships in 2024. Departure dates will depend on the schedule of each research cruise. We will first select candidates for internships starting in Winter, Spring, and then in Summer and Fall.

The selected interns will work with marine technicians and other crew members on shore and at sea and learn how to operate and maintain a variety of scientific and navigational equipment in support of shipboard scientific research. The program will pay a stipend of $600 per week plus airfare, lodging and other approved travel expenses. Interns will work, eat, and sleep aboard the research vessel, and be provided lodging and a meal plan off ship as needed. Internship projects will vary from one hosting organization to another and correspond to the objectives set by each specific cruise mission. Shipboard sleeping arrangements vary vessel to vessel. Previous interns have worked on cruises to support science projects ranging from chemical oceanography to marine biology, seafloor mapping surveys, geological studies, ROV missions, and much more! Many successful internships have resulted in job offers. Please email Maria Osiadacz, Program Manager, with questions about the program and life aboard research vessels. Applications are due January 22. To apply click here.

STEMSEAS

An opportunity to go to sea on a research vessel for a short expedition. More information on the program can be found here. An application to apply can be found here. 

2024 Expeditions (Tentative Schedule)

  • June 30 – July 9, San Francisco to Honolulu, R/V Kilo Moana
  • July 29 – August 3, Seward to Nome, R/V Sikuliaq
  • September (exact dates TBD), Lewes DE to Lewes DE (Chesapeake Bay), R/V Hugh Sharp
  • September 29 – October 3, Newport OR to San Diego, CA, R/V Sally Ride

New England Science and Sailing Foundation (‘NESS’)

New England Science & Sailing Foundation (‘NESS’) is a nationally recognized and award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit ocean adventure education organization that provides students, of all ages and backgrounds, with year-round programming that includes marine science, sailing, and water sports. NESS’s scholastic programs support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curricula in over 70 schools and organizations with a unique combination of on-the-water and in-the-classroom lessons intended to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. NESS is the first school partner program accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and has been recognized by US Sailing as the top community sailing program in the United States. NESS serves over 9,000 students annually across New England. Since its inception, NESS has enabled more than 35,000 students to get out on the water. 

Two opportunities are linked below:

Seasonal Technician Positions at the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory

Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory is planning to hire three technicians (6-9 month appointments) that will each focus primarily on one of three projects:

  • Oyster population ecology and stock assessment
  • Evaluating impacts of windfarm installation on fish and shellfish
  • Evaluating impacts of windfarm installation on fish and shellfish

This is a great opportunity for new graduates or for anyone looking to gain additional field experience. It is encouraged when applying, to include in a cover letter what project most interests you.

Summer 2023 Undergrad Internships with Pennsylvania Sea Grant

(HARRISBURG, PA) - Pennsylvania Sea Grant is excited to offer three paid summer internship opportunities for undergraduate students seeking to gain experience in the areas of outreach, education, and economics. Applications are now being accepted. Opportunities include evaluating the economic impacts of the Program’s activities; assisting education program planning focused on climate literacy, educator professional development, and action-oriented stewardship projects; and assisting with aquatic invasive species (AIS) outreach materials and resources, and general outreach efforts to advance AIS education.

The purpose of the internships is to contribute to a diverse ocean and Great Lakes workforce that understands technical and social challenges facing coastal communities and the natural environment. The experience will help prepare undergraduate students for graduate school and careers in science, policy, management, and outreach focused on oceans, Great Lakes, and watersheds. Full details about the internship opportunity are available online.

The internships are offered in Pennsylvania as part of the Community Engaged Internship (CEI) program, which is offered by Sea Grant programs across the country. This program encourages applicants from groups historically underrepresented in the sciences, including African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic and Latino, female, first-generation college students, veterans, LGBTQ+, and students with disabilities. In addition, the program welcomes applications from students who have worked to overcome educational or economic disadvantages or who have personal or family circumstances that may complicate their career paths.

Interviews will begin after March 6, 2023. The positions would begin in early June 2023 into August. Apply electronically. Applications will be reviewed until the positions are filled. Pennsylvania Sea Grant also offers graduate level fellowships, early-career fellowships, research, and regionally based fellowship opportunities.

  • Three positions available beginning June 2023, Areas of focus include Economic Impacts, Environmental Literacy & Workforce Development and Aquatic Invasive Species.

STEM SEAS Research Cruises 

Deadline to apply is 3/15/23. Find the application here. (if you’ve slightly missed the deadline, you might still want to apply, based on previous experiences)

Tentative schedule (everything is subject to how things/rules are with covid) of ships that you could apply to go on:

  • June 7-13, Seward to Nome – R/V Sikuliaq
  • June 15-24, Honolulu to Seward – R/V Kilo Moana
  • July 15-23, St. Petersburg, FL to Narragansett – R/V Endeavor
  • August 1-6, San Diego to Astoria– R/V Atlantis
  • August 3-7, San Diego to Newport – R/V Sally Ride
  • November 11-17, Seattle to Honolulu – R/V Thompson

2023 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at BIOS: Collaborative Marine Research

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) has received funding from the National Science Foundation (Award number OCE-2050858), for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program to support nine internships for undergraduate student research at BIOS in Fall 2023 (starts August 28 – end November 17). An REU internship at BIOS is a great way to gain the experience necessary to embark on graduate studies or careers in the marine and ocean sciences.

Funding includes air fare (from and to the U.S.) campus accoodation and all meals. Each successful REU applicant will also receive a competitive stipend. This life-changing 12-week program provides participants with the opportunity to conduct intensive, hands-on individual research projects in a collaborative team environment under the expert mentorship of BIOS faculty and staff.

This years REU projects will be based around the following broad research themes:

  • Coral Reef Function and Resilience
  • Planktonic Life: Size, abundance and community structure
  • Marine Microbial Oceanography

Wetlands Institute - Employment Opportunities

The Wetlands Institute is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) educational and research facility focused on salt marsh and coastal ecosystem preservation. The Institute’s mission is to promote appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of wetlands and coastal ecosystems through programs in research, education, and conservation. From its inception, The Wetlands Institute has pioneered a number of research, education, and conservation programs about wetlands and coastal ecosystems, and worked with numerous regional, national, and international organizations to foster stewardship of these resources worldwide.

There are a variety of available positions including summer nature program instructor, coastal conservation research intern, seasonal naturalist, customer service sales associate, science education at sea instructor, and environmental education intern.

If you want to work for an organization that is fun, fast-paced, and focused on inspiring environmental education, research, and conservation, then The Wetlands Institute is the place for you!

 

Aquatic sciences, engineering, and technology summer research experience for undergraduates (ASET-REU) Clarkson University (CU)

The “Aquatic Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (ASET) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)” program at Clarkson University (CU) is a 10-week immersive research experience serving ten (10) undergraduates per year. Our program renewal proposal was just awarded funding by NSF, thus we are announcing our summer 2023 program and opening our application portal. ASET-REU interns will have opportunities to conduct research in a range of disciplines organized in broad categories of 1) Aquatic Natural Sciences, 2) Aquatic Sustainability Sciences, and 3) Aquatic Resource Engineering. ASET will focus on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River watershed environmental research. The program includes a programmatic emphasis on Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River with the community of Akwesasne (St. Regis Mohawk Tribe).

The program outcomes are to 1) develop a Scholar’s research experience; 2) develop a diverse, supportive, and inclusive learning community; 3) strengthen Scholars’ skills to create and evaluate communication products; 4) foster Scholars’ evaluation of the ethical and legal aspects in research; 5) validate the Scholars’ academic path and facilitate degree completion in a STEM-related field; and 6) encourage Scholars to choose a career in STEM in aquatics. This award is supported by the Directorate of Biological Sciences and the Division of Ocean Sciences.

  • Program Dates: Monday 22 May through Friday 28 July 2023 (Arrive Monday 5/22; Leave Friday 7/28)
  • Research Topics: Aquatic Natural Sciences, Aquatic Sustainability Sciences, and Aquatic Resource Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Smart Devices and Sensors for Water Management, Emerging Contaminants Remediation and Wastewater Treatment
  • Location: Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York
  • Financial Package: Participants will receive 1) a $6000 stipend, 2) 1 round trip airfare to and from airport (we book and pay), 3) transportation to and from airport to Potsdam, and 4) and on-campus housing (2-4 bedrooms per apartment; limited single bedrooms) with a common apartment kitchenette for the 10-week period. Note: at this time there is no summer food services on campus, thus students are expected to prepare/arrange their own meals.
  • Application deadline: Friday, March 24, 2023 at 11:59 Eastern U.S.; or until positions are filled
  • Anticipated First-Round Offers: Friday, April 7, 2023

Contact for Questions: Dr. Abul Baki, ASET-REU Director and Principal Investigator; Phone: 315-268-4156 or email: abaki@clarkson.edu or aset-reu@clarkson.edu

2022 Summer Courses at BIOS: Training the Next Generation of Scientists

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) offers university-level summer courses, designed to immerse students in the study of marine science, with a 3-week program of coursework and research that is unique in marine science education. Founded in 1903, BIOS is a world-class ocean science research and education facility.

BIOS summer courses in marine science provide undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to expand their studies into subtropical environment and/or to investigate topics in ocean science, which are not offered within the curricula of their home institutions. BIOS has quick and easy access to a diverse array of subtropical marine habitats which, combined with lectures, discussions and integrated field work and laboratory exercises, provide an optimal environment for experiential learning.

Students of all nationalities can apply to BIOS for partial scholarships to assist with the course fees (which includes 3-weeks tuition, campus accommodation and meals). Students may obtain academic credit for these courses, subject to approval from their home institution. Course details, syllabus, scholarship information and application instructions are available on our Summer Courses web page.

Deadline to submit applications is April 30. All complete applications received by the closing date will be considered in the first round of admissions and scholarship allocations. Late applications will be considered until courses are full.

Research Diving Methods: June 26-July 14 by Instructor Kyla Smith (BIOS)

Tropical Marine Ecology: June 26-July14 by Instructor Dr. Samantha de Putron (BIOS)

Coral Reef Ecology: Functional Ecology of Coral Reefs: July 17-August 4 by Instructor Dr. Eric Hochberg (BIOS)

2024 UNOLS-Mate Marine Technical Internship Program

The U.S. Academic Research Fleet of UNOLS-designated research ships will host 1 long-term (approximately 6 months) and 12-14 short-term (2-12 weeks each) marine technical internships in 2024. Departure dates will depend on the schedule of each research cruise. We will first select candidates for internships starting in Winter, Spring, and then in Summer and Fall. Apply early if you are available the entire year in 2024; applications will stay on file.

The selected interns will work with marine technicians and other crew members on shore and at sea and learn how to operate and maintain a variety of scientific and navigational equipment in support of shipboard scientific research. Interns will work, eat, and sleep aboard the research vessel, and be provided lodging off ship as needed. Shipboard sleeping arrangements vary vessel to vessel. The program will pay a stipend of $600 per week plus airfare, lodging and other approved travel expenses. Internship projects will vary from one hosting organization to another and correspond to the objectives set by each specific cruise mission. Previous interns have worked on cruises to support science projects ranging from chemical oceanography to marine biology, seafloor mapping surveys, geological studies, ROV missions, and much more! Many successful internships have resulted in job offers. Please email Maria Osiadacz, Program Manager, with questions about the program and life aboard research vessels. Click here to apply now.

  • Application deadline for January internships is December 4th, 2023
  • Application deadline for internships beginning between April and December is January 22nd, 2024.

Paid Summer Internship Opportunities for Undergrads

Please see the links below for some paid undergrad internship (apprenticeship) opportunities this summer. To qualify for this program, you must not graduate before December 2023. The first three positions will be based in Biloxi, MS at the MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center. The fourth position (urban wildlife) will be based in Raymond, MS at the MSU Central Research and Extension Center. The application deadline for this opportunity is February 14th. Please see the links below for more information about the program and specific opportunities.

Positions and their information can be found below:

Online application portal for all opportunities can be found here - https://msudafvm.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xXZbKSL6qK5dmS.

 

Summer 2023 Undergraduate REU : Research on Chesapeake Bay

Are you looking for a summer research internship studying ocean, coastal or environmental science? I invite you to check out the Maryland Sea Grant Summer REU program. We bring upper-level undergraduate students to the Chesapeake Bay to conduct individual research projects with a scientist-mentor at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. We select undergrads in many disciplines, including engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, ecology and marine and environmental science. Our program runs for 12-weeks from May 22 to August 13, 2023. Each REU fellow will receive:

  • $7,200 stipend
  • Free housing at your research lab
  • Round-trip travel expenses

In particular, we encourage students from colleges and universities where access to marine science and to research opportunities is limited and who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math. We believe bringing together students from many disciplines, backgrounds and parts of the country makes for a more interesting and educational summer experience.

They are accepting applications for the 2023 class now through February 15. We held our first in-person REU this past summer and expect to hold summer 2023 in-person as well. We recognize that the state of the pandemic may impact how the program operates. Please visit our website to find out more (www.mdsg.umd.edu/reu) or drop me a note at reu@mdsg.umd.edu.

Key information:

  • Download our program flyer
  • 12-week program: May 22 to August 13, 2023
  • $7,200 stipend plus housing and travel support to and from host institution
  • Funded by the National Science Foundation and thus limited to US citizens or permanent residents
  • Applications due: February 15, 2023

Research Internship in Ocean Sciences Program (RIOS) 

All RIOS internships are full for the summer of 2022, for summer of 2023 applications are due in February. 

RIOS is an undergraduate research program that will introduce you to an active and collaborative ocean research environment. With support from the National Science Foundation, you will conduct ocean research over a paid, 10-week summer internship offered by the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Continuing undergraduate students pursuing majors in environmental sciences, engineering, geology, biology, physics, or mathematics are encouraged to apply.

  • You will interact with scientific leaders in ocean and environmental research
  • You will start building a network of contacts for a future science career and advanced graduate study
  • You will gain research, proposal writing, and presentation skills
  • You will get a $6,000 stipend, free room, and paid travel expenses*
  • You will be close to New York City, Philadelphia, and the New Jersey shore

RISE at Rutgers 
Is a nationally acclaimed summer research program for outstanding undergraduates from diverse backgrounds. Scholars participate in 10 weeks of cutting-edge research in the biological, physical, and social/ behavioral sciences, math, engineering, and exciting interdisciplinary areas under the guidance of carefully matched faculty mentors. A comprehensive professional development component, including GRE preparation, complements the research. (Rolling admissions; spaces filled by March 1st)

Check the page linked above for summer events and dates of symposiums.

University of Maine Darling Marine Center based labs and projects are looking to fill paid summer internship positions with undergraduate students. Opportunities are posted as they become available (typically February-April, each year). Hiring is done by individual faculty and visiting researchers.

Scholarship/Fellowship Opportunities

NOAA Hollings Scholarship: For undergraduates, and can only apply as a sophomore. Includes tuition support and a paid internship. It opens in September and closes in January. Contact Professor Leah Joseph if interested in applying.

Sea Grant Knauss Joint Fellowship Program: For graduate students.

NMFS-Sea Grant Joint Fellowship Program: NOAA Marine Fisheries & Sea Grant. For graduate students.