Kelp Forest Scientific Diving Internship

Monterey Bay Aquarium • Monterey, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Monterey Bay Aquarium seeks two interns to support research on mechanisms of kelp forest recovery in California. The research is intended to inform climate-ready conservation action and management planning. Work will be conducted primarily along the Monterey Peninsula and in Carmel Bay, California, and includes scientific scuba diving, field observations and data collection, and laboratory assays. Scuba diving is an essential function of the position. Interns are expected to spend approximately 70% of their time in the field and 30% in the laboratory, though the balance may vary according to summer field and research needs.

The internship runs from February 2027 through July 2027, with exact dates flexible. It requires a six-month commitment of 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. The hourly rate is $18.00 USD.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be a current or recent student at an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school; must have been a student during the term immediately preceding the internship, with no more than a one-year education gap.
• Be in good academic standing.
• Commit to six months, working three full days per week (approximately 24 hours per week); weekends are not scheduled.
• Have or obtain a valid California driver's license within one month of starting the internship.
• Hold current First Aid, CPR, and Oxygen Administration certification or training.
• Have at least 60 logged cold-water dives.
• Have knowledge of kelp forest taxonomy and species identification, specifically marine invertebrates and algae.
• Provide a letter of reciprocity from a participating AAUS institution certifying qualification as a Scientific Research Diver before employment.
• 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.
• Be willing to work a flexible schedule of three days per week, spend up to eight hours at sea in small boats conducting scientific diving operations, and conduct three scientific cold-water dives per day (average water temperature 52°F).
• Be able to lift up to 50 pounds and walk a short distance over hilly terrain.
• Submit a resume/CV, letter of interest (maximum two pages, 12-point Times New Roman), a Letter of Reciprocity from the home institution indicating active AAUS Scientific Diver status, and two letters of recommendation. The application is considered complete only after all required materials are received.

Nice To Haves

• Experience diving in kelp forests.
• Experience diving from small boats.
• Experience conducting research in a laboratory through coursework.
• Nitrox certification.
• 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.
• Present a project-based report orally at the end of the internship.

What This Job Offers

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