Host: UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station

Start Date: June 1

Supervisor: Dr. Charlie Martin

Responsibilities:We seek an intern to work in the Estuarine Ecology Lab at the Nature Coast Biological Station on a wide variety of projects related to coastal ecology in the nearshore environments of the Gulf of Mexico, particularly in the Nature Coast region. Projects and responsibilities will vary but include field sampling of fishes and invertebrates; quantitative assessments of environmental parameters and habitats such as seagrass, oyster, and mangroves; laboratory experiments on nekton ecology and behavior; and other day-to-day tasks including sample identification, sample processing, data entry, and assisting other staff as needed. The selected intern will work with a variety of lab personnel including technicians and graduate students. Fieldwork will be performed on small boats and interns will be required to participate heavily in field-based activities which are often characterized by long hours outdoors and potentially arduous conditions such as extreme heat in the Florida summer, biting insects, and inclement weather. The position is located at the Nature Coast Biological Station and carpooling opportunities may be available.

Qualifications: The applicant must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license as well as an interest in marine community ecology and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently. Job responsibilities will include possible night and weekend work and some moderate-heavily lifting. Basic computer skills and the ability to work full time with long field days are required. Good written and oral communication skills and the ability to work within a team are necessary.

Other Information: Preferred applicants will have some experience with the identification of invertebrates and fishes of Florida’s Big Bend or previous experience using dichotomous keys. Relevant coursework in ecology/marine biology and previous experience with small watercraft is preferred, but not required.

Host: Marc C. Minno, Ph.D., Water Resource Coordinator (SRWMD) and Stephanie Armstrong, Environmental Scientist III

Start Date: May 6 (Flexible)

Responsibilities: This is a scientific research internship involving the collection and review of water quality and quantity data and assistance with water resources projects. The selected candidate will work alongside District staff and receive hands-on experience calibrating and maintaining water quality equipment, collecting water quality and flow measurements, post-processing data, reviewing and quality control of data, and using ArcGIS to inventory physical features and visually display data in a meaningful way. Work entails using water quality instruments and flow meters to assess water resources within the District’s monitoring network. Upon arrival, staff will work with the intern to assess professional interests and choose from several potential projects to find the best fit for the intern’s deliverables.

Qualifications: Candidates must have a strong interest in environmental science. Basic computer skills are required. Knowledge of GIS and analytical and statistical methods is preferred. Good written and oral communication skills and the ability to work within a team are necessary.

Other Information: This position is located in Live Oak, Florida. Maximum work hours are 20 hours per week. No specific equipment is needed.

Host: Department of Environmental Protection, Big Bend Aquatic Seagrass Preserve

Start Date: May 15

Supervisors: Timothy Jones, Trisha Green, Kate Suchanee (BBSAP)

Responsibilities: Assist DEP staff with field work including but not limited to monthly water quality monitoring, seagrass monitoring, and hard bottom monitoring.

Qualifications:

1. Ability to swim (snorkel) comfortably in water up to 10 feet deep sometimes with limited visibility (snorkel gear NOT provided)
2. Ability to work in extreme weather conditions (heat, rain, etc)
3. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
4. Flexible work schedule

Other Information: The position is based in Crystal River, Florida with work ranging from Keaton Beach south to Homosassa, Florida.

Required equipment: mask, fins, and snorkel

Host: FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring

Start Date: May 6

Supervisor: Caleb Purtlebaugh – Research Administrator and Stephanie Winn – Intern Coordinator

Responsibilities: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s (FWRI) Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program is a long-term program designed to monitor the relative abundance of fishery resources in Florida’s major estuarine, coastal, and reef systems. The program was developed to: 1) address the critical need for effective assessment techniques for an array of species and sizes of fishes and selected invertebrates; 2) provide timely information for use in management plans; and 3) monitor trends in the relative abundance of taxa in a variety of estuarine and marine systems throughout Florida. There will also be an opportunity to participate with other ongoing research projects such as offshore research, hook-n-line sampling, and snook research.

Qualifications: This will include primarily fieldwork deploying and retrieving gear, fish species identification, and data collection. The FIM program uses a multi-gear approach to collect data on various life-history stages of fishes and selected invertebrates. Gears used to collect estuarine fishes include: 21.3-m center bag seine; 6.1-m otter trawl; and a 183-m haul seine. Data collection may require long field days and strenuous physical activities. Fieldwork may be done under arduous conditions (e.g. inclement weather, rough seas, and shoreline wading). This position will require that large fish and stingrays be safely handled. Office work includes fish identification using microscopes and dichotomous keys, specimen work-up (otoliths, life history, diet, mercury samples) and data processing. Field and office work will be during weekdays.

Other Information: This research position is located at FWC’s Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab in Cedar Key, FL. Personal transportation to the Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab will be required, but not for travel related to fieldwork. Housing is not provided.

Host:  USGS

Start Date: May 6

Supervisor: Dr. Margaret Lamont

Responsibilities: Assist USGS biologists with sturgeon captures and tagging, and maintenance of an acoustic array in and around the Suwannee River. Also assist with turtle (freshwater, marine, estuarine sps.) surveys in and around the Nature Coast Region.

Qualifications: Comfortable on small boats, handling large nets, and working in hot and buggy conditions. In addition, the ability to walk long distances in muddy, salt marsh habitat is necessary.

Other Information: The position is based in Cedar Key or Gainesville. Previous boating experience would be preferred.

Host: UF Soil and Water Sciences

Start Date: May 9

Supervisor: Dr. Mark Clark

Responsibilities: We seek an intern to assist with several projects pertaining to oyster ecology and restoration in the Cedar Key area. These studies include assessments of spatial and temporal larval settlement dynamics, identification of oyster wave energy and sedimentation tolerances, and large-scale restoration of oyster habitats using novel restoration materials. Internship responsibilities will vary but include: construction and deployment of restoration materials, monitoring of oyster recruitment, assisting with geospatial surveying, and design and execution of manipulative field experiments examining oyster survival and stress tolerance. Other responsibilities may include data entry, data quality assurance/quality control, and sample processing.

Qualifications: The applicant must have an interest in marine science and a strong desire to perform field research in coastal ecosystems. The applicant must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Job responsibilities will include traveling as a passenger on small vessels, wading in waist-deep water, carrying heavy objects (~30 lbs), and walking on uneven surfaces (mud and oyster shell). Successful applicants will be those who work well both independently and collaboratively, have strong communication skills, are willing to work in sometimes inclement conditions (rain, summer heat, direct sun), and at unusual hours of the day (low tide often dictates schedule of fieldwork).

Other Information: Coursework in ecology and/or marine science is preferred but not required. Most of the field work will be based at the Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key, FL. The intern should have field-appropriate attire and oyster-resistant footwear (dive booties, old sneakers etc).

Host: UF/IFAS NCBS

Start Date: Flexible, prefer a start in May and to finish by early July

Supervisor: Dr. Savanna Barry

Responsibilities: Lead the creation of media such as tours, signage, brochures, blog posts, virtual field trips, and similar resources that communicate science-based best practices in an approachable way. In this position, the intern will shadow research and extension faculty and staff during various tasks such as seagrass surveys, water quality sampling, and living shorelines monitoring. The intern will work to produce communications products based on their interests and these shadowing experiences. The intern will work with the NCBS supervisor and staff to ensure prioritization, dissemination, and tracking of the products created. Special focus will be placed on the creation of self-guided tours using the PocketSights App. Using this app, the intern will create experiences that visitors to the Nature Coast will use for years to come. The tours will encourage visitors to explore the natural environment while also learning about conservation practices. Priorities for tour development will be based on current projects as well as the interests and strengths of the intern. Possible topics include boating/seagrass protection, birding, habitat restoration, fishing/scalloping, sustainable seafood.

Qualifications: Strong verbal and written communication skills, general comfort with one or more communications tools (e.g., video production, photography, voice recording, creative writing, social media), willingness to learn new topics/skills, enthusiasm. Bonus/preferred qualifications: experience with science journalism or communications/media; high level of comfort or experience with media creation tools such as Adobe Suite, Final Cut, Canva/Figma, WordPress, or similar; experience with graphic design.

Other Information: Position is based in Gainesville (or surrounding area) with frequent travel to field locations between Pasco County and Taylor County for content gathering and researcher shadowing. Carpooling will often be available several other NCBS students and staff reside in Gainesville. If the successful applicant does not have access to a car, state vehicle use can be arranged with advance planning and a valid Florida driver's license. A modest travel stipend is available to support reimbursement for travel in a personal vehicle. Camera equipment and software access are provided but student will need to be able to access a laptop or desktop computer (either a personal machine or through UF’s campus-based computer labs).

Host: Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, Three Sister Springs

Start Date: Flexible

Supervisor: Monica Scroggin - Visitor Services Specialist and Joyce Kleen - Refuge Biologist

Responsibilities:

1. Monitor and record visitation data for Three Sisters Springs by water, including visitors by kayak, paddleboard, and swimming in.
2. Assist with community outreach through Facebook and other outlets.
3. GIS-aerial survey data entry and scanning documents.

Qualifications: Must be able to interact with and educate visitors. Must be able to tolerate the Florida summer heat. Must be comfortable kayaking and standing for extended periods of time.

Other Information: Located in Crystal River, Florida. Transportation and equipment will be provided. Housing and work vehicle will be provided. A background check might apply.