Women in Science High School Internship- Birds as biosentinels (High School)

Field Museum • Chicago, IL

15d • $17 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a motivated high school intern to join an ongoing research project investigating how environmental contaminants affect the physiology, epigenetics, and health of wild raptors and purple martins in the Great Lakes region. Raptors, as top predators in aquatic-linked food webs, and purple martins, as aerial insectivores closely tied to aquatic ecosystems, accumulate chemicals such as PFAS and heavy metals, making them important sentinels of ecosystem health. This internship will provide hands-on training in wildlife physiology and molecular ecology. In the laboratory, you will assist with immune function assays and hormone analyses focusing on thyroid hormones and corticosterone. You will learn core molecular biology skills, including DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, and sample preparation for sequencing analyses, and help process biological samples collected from fieldwork. You will also gain experience with data organization, lab record keeping, and scientific communication. There is also an opportunity to participate in fieldwork: in late June and early July, the intern may assist with purple martin capture and banding, learning safe bird handling, banding techniques, and blood and feather sample collection. This combination of laboratory and field experience provides a rich training environment for students interested in wildlife biology, conservation, eco-immunology, and environmental toxicology. No prior field experience is requiredjust curiosity, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for learning scientific methods. This is an opening for a highschool student. This internship is intended for female or non-binary identifying students. Applicants must apply through the Field Museum website. Applications through other websites will not be considered. Applications must be received by March 6, 2026. Applicants selected for interview will be contacted by March 23, 2026. If selected, interns will be expected to attend an on-site HR orientation on June 22nd, 2026. Work on the internship will continue through July 31, 2026. The salary is $17.25/hour for 35 hours a week. PLEASE READ: When you apply for multiple positions, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters. The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges. At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at [email protected] .

Requirements

• Curiosity
• Attention to detail
• Enthusiasm for learning scientific methods
• Must apply through the Field Museum website
• Applications must be received by March 6, 2026
• Applicants selected for interview will be contacted by March 23, 2026
• If selected, interns will be expected to attend an on-site HR orientation on June 22nd, 2026
• Work on the internship will continue through July 31, 2026

Responsibilities

• Assist with immune function assays and hormone analyses focusing on thyroid hormones and corticosterone.
• Learn core molecular biology skills, including DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, and sample preparation for sequencing analyses, and help process biological samples collected from fieldwork.
• Gain experience with data organization, lab record keeping, and scientific communication.
• Assist with purple martin capture and banding, learning safe bird handling, banding techniques, and blood and feather sample collection.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED