SUMMER STUDENT WORKER (Unpaid)

Tidewater • Anne Arundel, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites eligible candidates to apply for a volunteer/unpaid internship with our Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment group. Help make ocean science accessible. Learn hands-on. Contribute to real research. The PlanktoScope is an open-source, low-cost microscope that helps scientists, educators, and community scientists study plankton—tiny organisms that are vital to our planet’s ecosystems. We’re looking for a curious, motivated student to join our team and help improve, test, and share this tool with the world. This is an unpaid internship designed for learning and skill-building. Potential for academic credit pending approval from your university. The internship runs 10 weeks between June to August. The specific start/end dates, hours, and schedule will be determined in collaboration between the intern and supervisor. As a PlanktoScope Intern, you’ll be part of a passionate, collaborative team working at the intersection of marine biology, engineering, and open-source technology. Your contributions will directly support the development, testing, and deployment of PlanktoScope units in the field - helping researchers and educators in the Chesapeake Bay region collect and analyze critical environmental data.

Requirements

• Applicant must be a current college student or recent grad.
• A GPA of 2.5 or above is required for academic credit.
• Resume and Cover Letter
• Two Letters of Recommendation, signed and dated
• Must be from a faculty liaison for school credit
• Letters of recommendation from family members will not be accepted
• Unofficial Transcript

Nice To Haves

• Students or recent grads in marine science, biology, engineering, or related fields.
• Interest in estuarine science, microscopy, or open-source tech.
• Willingness to learn and try new things.
• Basic skills in electronics, phytoplankton or image analysis are a plus—but not required.
• If you’ve worked on a project you’re proud of—whether it’s a class project, code, or something you built—send us a link or description!

Responsibilities

• Assist with plankton sampling in the field.
• Produce microscopic photographs of plankton.
• Work with image analysis tools (EcoTaxa)
• Document your work for the open-source community.
• Collaborate with scientists, managers, and educators.
• Perform general lab and date entry duties

Benefits

• Hands-on experience with scientific hardware and software.
• Mentorship from a multidisciplinary team.
• Flexible schedule to fit your studies.
• Potential for academic credit (if approved by your institution).
• Your contributions shared and credited in open-source repositories.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed