Kelp Forest Scientific Diving Internship

Monterey Bay Aquarium • Monterey, CA

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The Monterey Bay Aquarium seeks two enthusiastic and motivated interns to support research into the recovery of California kelp forests. The research aims to improve understanding of kelp forest recovery mechanisms and inform climate-ready conservation action and management planning. Work will be conducted primarily along the Monterey Peninsula and in Carmel Bay, California.

Interns will assist with field observations and data collection through scientific scuba diving, as well as laboratory assays. Scuba diving is an essential function. The anticipated time allocation is 70% in the field and 30% in the laboratory, subject to summer research needs. The internship runs for six months, from February 2027 through July 2027, with exact dates flexible. It requires three full days per week, approximately 24 hours per week, with no weekends. Interns must complete a project-based report in the form of an oral presentation at the end of the internship. The hourly rate is $18.00 USD.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a current or recent student at an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school, and have been a student during the term immediately preceding the internship, with no education gap exceeding one year.
• Be in good academic standing.
• Commit to six months of work for three full days each week, approximately 24 hours per week; weekends are not required.
• Have or obtain a valid California driver's license within one month of starting the internship.
• Hold current First Aid, CPR, and Oxygen Administration certifications or training.
• Have a minimum of 60 logged cold-water dives.
• Have knowledge of kelp forest taxonomy and species identification, specifically marine invertebrates and algae.
• Provide, before employment, a letter of reciprocity from a participating AAUS institution certifying qualification as a Scientific Research Diver.
• Be able to work in a team and independently without direct supervision, with strong interpersonal communication and decision-making skills.
• Be comfortable in a laboratory and with field research that may involve prolonged exposure to cold water and frequently adverse sea conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience diving in kelp forests is preferred.
• Experience diving from small boats is desired.
• Coursework experience conducting research in a laboratory setting.
• Nitrox certification.
• Willingness to perform project assignments on a flexible schedule of three days per week.
• Willingness to spend up to eight hours at sea in small boats conducting scientific diving operations.
• Willingness to conduct three scientific dives per day in cold water, averaging 52°F.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and walk a short distance over hilly terrain.
• Strong interest in marine ecology.
• Detail-driven and highly organized, with the ability to multitask, make effective decisions, and work independently with minimal oversight.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues.
• Familiarity with basic data management and analysis using R.

Responsibilities

• Participate in scuba-based data collection at depths less than 70 feet.
• Support organization and coordination of logistics for day-to-day field activities.
• Maintain scientific sampling equipment used in the field.
• Perform data entry and quality control.
• Conduct laboratory assays.
• Contribute to the development of technical reports.
• Deliver an oral presentation as a project-based report at the end of the internship.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed