Marine Conservation Intern

Environmental Defense Fund • Boulder, DC

6d • Remote

About The Position

The Marine Conservation Intern will support a quantitative assessment of alternative fisheries management strategies for reducing seabird bycatch in the Pacific Ocean. The work will inform science-based recommendations for updated conservation measures in international fisheries, including policy reform through the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). The intern will process and analyze seabird distribution and fisheries effort data, conduct spatial analyses and quantitative modelling, and review scientific literature to inform model parameters and realistic management scenarios. The assessment will integrate seabird distributions, fishing effort, species-specific catchability, and mitigation effectiveness to estimate potential reductions in seabird bycatch under different management and enforcement scenarios.

The intern will receive close mentorship from EDF scientists, with analytical tasks scoped to the internship timeline. The intern will report to the Research Scientist, Seabird–Fisheries Interactions, join the Ocean Science Team, and have opportunities to work with partner NGOs and IATTC staff. The internship is expected to provide practical experience applying quantitative ecological research to international fisheries management and strengthen analytical and scientific communication skills.

This is a 16-week Spring 2027 internship, based remotely in the U.S., with the option to work in a hybrid arrangement from an EDF office in Austin, Boulder, Boston, New York, Raleigh, San Francisco, or Washington, D.C. Full-time work at 35 hours per week is preferred; part-time work at 20 hours per week is also available. Compensation is $23–$24 per hour, depending on degree level. Applicants should attach a cover letter and resume to the EDF application.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in or recently completed a master's or doctoral degree in ecology, marine science, fisheries science, conservation biology, environmental science, geography, data science, or a related quantitative field.
• Proficiency in R programming, or Python skills and willingness to work in R, including demonstrated experience in data processing, manipulation, visualization, and statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated experience conducting spatial analyses in R, including working with geospatial data and spatial data packages.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including ability to independently troubleshoot code and interpret results.
• Experience reviewing and synthesizing scientific literature to inform research questions and analytical approaches.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver analytical outputs within tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate scientific findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
• Self-awareness, cultural competency, inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across cultures and backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience analyzing animal tracking, fisheries effort, or other spatially explicit ecological datasets.
• Familiarity with spatial overlap analyses, ecological risk assessments, or quantitative approaches to assessing anthropogenic impacts on wildlife.
• Experience developing or applying statistical models, conducting sensitivity analyses, and quantifying uncertainty.
• Knowledge of seabird ecology, fisheries bycatch, marine policy, or marine conservation.

Responsibilities

• Collate, process, and map seabird distribution and fisheries effort datasets to assess spatiotemporal patterns of seabird–fisheries overlap.
• Review scientific literature to compile species-specific catchability estimates, life-history characteristics, and evidence on the effectiveness of seabird bycatch mitigation measures.
• Review existing fisheries regulations and work with EDF scientists and collaborators to develop and evaluate alternative bycatch mitigation and management scenarios.
• Develop, refine, and implement R code to model the potential effectiveness of different management scenarios in reducing bycatch.
• Support sensitivity analyses evaluating model assumptions, parameter uncertainty, and robustness of results.
• Where feasible, incorporate observed bycatch rates to estimate seabirds caught and potentially saved under different management scenarios.
• Contribute scientific figures, maps, technical reports, and policy-relevant recommendations for fisheries management decisions.
• Communicate with scientific collaborators, seabird tracking data holders, IATTC staff, and partner NGOs to support data acquisition, analysis, and policy engagement.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, helping people from all backgrounds feel connected, included, and empowered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern