Research Assistant Intern (Water Quality)
About The Position
Join the Center’s 2026 Summer Internship Program on the Water team as a full-time field research assistant intern in aquatic ecology and water chemistry. The Research Assistant Intern will conduct field work on a project that measures water quality in Buzzards Bay estuaries using both wet chemistry and continuously-recording dataloggers. Field work will involve water collections in shallow estuaries, deployment, and maintenance of both loggers at fixed locations and loggers deployed on robotic gliders. Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes Scientists from the Woodwell Center, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and scientists at the Buzzards Bay Coalition, a regional non-profit organization. In this role, the intern will gain experience through field and laboratory work across fields including water chemistry, data management, and data analysis of the factors that control estuarine water quality.
Requirements
- Prior experience in water quality analyses, sampling techniques and requirements
- Hands-on expertise in the operation, calibration and maintenance of analytical equipment, including fluorometers, spectrophotometers, nutrient auto-analyzer (e.g., SEAL), elemental analyzer
- Sample receiving, sample analyses, data management, and any other related duties
- Demonstrated organizational skills, the ability to work as a member of a team, and the ability to communicate with colleagues and general public
- Ability to work independently as well as productively as part of a team
- Familiarity with best practices for field safety
- Basic proficiency with word processing, data management and presentation software Microsoft Office or Google Workstation (e.g., Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, and PowerPoint/Slides or equivalent programs)
- Capable of rigorous outdoor activity (lifting approx. 40 pounds, bending, carrying heavy equipment, and walking through uneven terrain.)
- Must possess a valid US driver license for the last two years and qualify to drive Woodwell Climate Science Center vehicles
- Enrolled and/or appropriate coursework within Environmental Science, Ecology, Botany, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Marine Biology or Natural Resources.
Nice To Haves
- Some experience with the R programming language preferred
Responsibilities
- Perform complex water quality analyses under the supervision of a Project Laboratory Manager.
- Assists Project Laboratory Manager in sample receipt, sample processing including filtering, and bottle prep for water collections.
- Works under general direction of Research Associate and within standard operating procedures
- Maintains organized and up-to-date digital (files, spreadsheets) and printed (laboratory notebooks and related documents) records for tracking information including sample data.
- Prepares computer spreadsheets, input data, performs mathematical calculations and basic quality analysis and quality control protocols
- Perform mathematical calculations
- Provide organized, thoughtful, and thorough analysis
- Listen, communicate and work effectively with a diverse group of people
- Proficiently perform computerized word processing, comprehension, summarizing and writing/editing
- Assist in preparing for and organizing field surveys
- Perform quality control, organization, and analysis of field-collected plant and environmental data
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Assist in preparing for and organizing field surveys
- Work on site at the Woodwell Climate Science Center
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
