SoundWaters Coastal Research Internship (Fall 2024)

SoundWaters, a nonprofit environmental education organization based in Stamford, CT, is accepting applications to participate in our undergraduate Coastal Research Internship program. 

Working alongside the Director of Coastal Resiliency Projects at SoundWaters, the Coastal Research Interns will assist in managing projects both in the lab and field. The skills developed during this internship directly apply to research on climate science, human impacts on coastal systems, and marine ecology (e.g. skills in laboratory techniques, field experiment set-up and monitoring, habitat restoration, data collection, and comparative analysis).

Founded in 1989, SoundWaters works towards a sustainable environment where people share a passion for Long Island Sound, students succeed, and our community thrives. Annually, SoundWaters partners with schools to amplify science learning through investigation of Long Island Sound for over 30,000 students, aboard our three-masted Schooner, at our Coastal Education Center, our Harbor Center and on and along the coast. We provide high-level study opportunities, aboard our research vessel and in our labs. We engage the public to create sustainable practices through outreach and we develop youth by creating life skills and job readiness opportunities in the environment.

Opportunities

• Collect and maintain water quality data throughout Stamford Harbor using a multiparameter sonde and remote monitoring data loggers.
• Measure variables such as growth rates, nutrient uptake, and carbon sequestration for our kelp farm in the lab and aboard our research vessel. 
• Assist in the husbandry and deployment of native shellfish species to assess impacts on water quality and invertebrate species diversity.
  • Assist in invasive species removal and habitat restoration in a salt marsh habitat.
  • Maintain laboratory phytoplankton cultures.
  • Assist in data collection, entry, and preliminary analysis.

Requirements

• Strong interest in marine science, biology, or environmental science.
• Background in Biology demonstrated by coursework (General Biology or AP Biology).
• Able to work independently and as part of a team, be organized, and meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel to enter, organize, and graph data.
• A laptop will be needed.

Dates, Hours, and Location

Dates: Internship begins September 3, 2024 and concludes December 6, 2024.

Hours: Specific hours on site are flexible, but the expectation is that an intern will report for two 3-hour shifts per week. 

Location: SoundWaters Cohen Harbor Center, 200 Southfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902.

Stipend: A $500 stipend will be provided.

To apply: Apply on Handshake or by emailing all materials to sryan@soundwaters.org. Please include a resume, up-to-date college transcript, and a cover letter describing your relevant coursework and/or experience and how this internship will contribute to your future goals. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2024.