[INTERNSHIP][UNDERGRADUATE][ECOLOGY][UMB][MAINE] Summer Intertidal Ecology Internship
Curtis Morris
The Coastal Ecology for a Living Planet Lab (CELP) at the University of Massachusetts Boston seeks to fill one part-time summer 2026 internship position to support research activities located in Midcoast Maine. This position will primarily work on marine community ecology research and implementing an intertidal field experiment. Note, this project is located in Phippsburg, Maine and applicants will need to secure housing in this area.
Fieldwork tasks will include assessing biological zonation on an exposed rocky shore, installing hardware in the intertidal for permanent quadrats, quantifying biodiversity using a quadrat-based protocol, in situ photo-documentation of collected species and treatments, collection of crustose algal DNA using a hammer and chisel, and implementation of a disturbance-recovery experiment in the mid and low intertidal zones. This is primarily a field position, but will include some lab work preserving DNA, quantifying biomass from field samples, using microscopy for species identifications, as well as data entry and verification.
This fieldwork will take place in the low and mid intertidal zones on an exposed rocky shore. These zones can only be accessed during particularly low tides, and as a result, working hours are highly variable, may start early (sunrise) or end late (sunset) in the day, and are concentrated during good low-tide series. For example, from 5/17 - 5/22, workdays will be 6-8 hours in length, followed by a period of low/no hour days, until the next tide series on 6/14. This schedule is variable but planned well in advance, and, with the exception of low-tide days, can generally accommodate other obligations.
Note also that areas low in the intertidal can be difficult to access, with slippery algae covered rocks and uneven footing throughout. Safety is a top priority and fieldwork is only performed when conditions ensure no undue hazard.
Successful candidates should be adaptable, detail-oriented, able to work both independently and collaboratively, and should enjoy working in the field. Fieldwork may involve working outdoors in variable weather conditions and on boats in coastal environments.
Compensation: $5000 summer stipend at $17.00/hour (non-benefited position)
Duration: Summer 2026, from May 11- August 17
To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to:
Curtis Morris (curtis.m...@umb.edu)
Jarrett Byrnes (jarrett...@umb.edu)
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.