Biological Science

The Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (Sarasota, FL) is seeking qualified applicants for the Morning Survey Sea Turtle Nesting Internship for the 2026 season.

Program information can be found here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a deadline of March 1, 2026.

To apply, please submit an internship application through the Mote Marine Laboratory College Internship webpage.

NASA EarthRISE Developers Academy is offering 10-week, paid research opportunities this summer that are open to current students and recent graduates, as well as transitioning/early career professionals. The Academy builds the next generation of science and technology leaders through an immersive, experiential model applying NASA Earth observations to real-world challenges.

For the summer 2026 term, EarthRISE Developers Academy will provide in-person opportunities at Langley Research Center (Hampton, VA), Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL), and Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO). Additionally, a limited number of projects are available for virtual participation. Through collaborative projects, professional development, and state, local, tribal, territorial, and private partnerships, the Academy equips participants with the skills to accelerate innovation and bridge Earth science with the future of space exploration.

The Academy is an interdisciplinary activity, where we accept participants with experience in a variety of fields, as well as from different phases of their career. Applicants with demonstrated skills in Earth, environmental, and/or planetary sciences, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and/or computer science are encouraged to apply. Participants will work together on teams, guided by NASA scientists and science advisors and in partnership with community organizations, to expand their skills to use NASA science data to address environmental concerns from urban heat, air quality, disaster management, agriculture, ecological conservation, and water resources to lunar science in support of NASA’s Moon to Mars strategy.

Applicants must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment. EarthRISE Developers Academy offers hourly, paid positions with rates that are determined by education level and working location. During the term, selected participants should be able to commit to 25 – 29 hours per week, Monday – Thursday during normal business hours.

Please see details about this opportunity including eligibility, tentative project themes, and application instructions at https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/nasadevelop. The application window is open now through March 6th, 2026, for the 10-week, summer 2026 project term taking place from June 1st – August 7th. US citizenship or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status is required to apply.

The Fridley Lab at Clemson University is seeking two motivated undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience in plant ecology as part of research teams working in the Great Smoky Mountains and Clemson Experimental Forest. Students will assist staff and graduate students in fieldwork in Clemson, SC, as well as several multi-day trips to the Smokies, about two hours from campus. Students must be able and willing to do some hiking and work off trails in humid conditions. Students will also be involved in a variety of laboratory activities related to plant growth trials, which may include sensor building and statistical analysis, pending student interest. Students will be provided with a $6000 stipend for living expenses over the 12-wk duration starting approximately May 18 (start and end dates are flexible). Qualifications and application instructions are at https://www.fridleylab.org/join-us.

Deadline: March 20, 2026.

The Louthan Lab at KSU is seeking summer field REU students to participate in field work at Konza Prairie Biological Station in Manhattan, KS. Applicants should be comfortable working in a team setting outside in hot, humid conditions while traversing uneven or rocky terrain. In addition to field work, applicants will work together to design their own research project, which they will complete during the summer. 

This is a great opportunity for undergraduate students seeking field work and research experience in plant population ecology. Technicians will learn field work skills, plant identification, data management, and experimental design and execution. They will interact with faculty and grad students throughout the summer. 

The field season will run from mid-June through mid-August, and technicians will receive a stipend of $6600. Housing for this position is not provided. 

To apply or for more information, please email Sam Ko samko@ksu.edu with a cover letter resume/CV. 

Deadline to apply is March 15. 

For more information about our lab, visit our lab website: https://louthanlab.weebly.com/

We are recruiting undergraduate students interested in ecology and biodiversity for a 10 week NSF REU program this summer at Auburn University. Students at sophomore level or above with some basic biological or natural science course work are encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in students that have a strong interest in ecology and may have limited opportunities to engage in research at their current institution. 

The REU will take place from May 17-July 25, 2026. A $700/week is provided ($7,000 for the summer), along with $20/day for food, and up to $700 to support travel to and from Auburn University. On campus housing will be provided to students along with access to campus facilities. Interested students should apply through the NSF ETAP site (OpportunityLanding | Award | NSF Education & Training Application | ETAP) Applications are due by March 4, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christopher Lepczyk at lepczyk@auburn.edu.

We are looking for undergraduate students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) for a six-week (June 12-July 26, 2026) intensive field internship conducting research in a recently established coffee experiment, investigating effects of shade, nitrogen source, and fungicides on fungal community composition and diversity. Four U.S. students will work closely in pairs with Costa Rican students, assisting the research team and designing and completing independent field projects in coffee.

Field work will be in Las Cruces Biological Station, San Vito, Costa Rica during the rainy season, often under hot and humid conditions.

Round-trip flights to Costa Rica, transport to the field station, and room and board in shared dorms at the field station will be paid for by the project. In addition, each student will receive a weekly stipend.

Qualifications: Applicant should be a current undergraduate in the natural or agricultural sciences, interested in learning about cryptic fungi while working closely with Latin American students and farmers. Need to be comfortable living in close quarters with other students full-time for six weeks. Students bilingual in Spanish and English and from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the sciences are especially encouraged to apply. To apply, submit 1) unofficial transcripts, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) names and emails of three people able to provide references, and 4) a half-page statement explaining your interest in and goals for the internship as a single PDF file to Drs. Laura Aldrich-Wolfe and Efraín Escudero Leyva at laura.aldrichwolfe@ndsu.edu by February 20th.

The Isbell Biodiversity Lab at the University of Minnesota is hiring a team of 5 undergraduate and post-baccalaureate research interns to assist with ecological field work at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve located in East Bethel, MN. The intern team will work together to collect data and perform experimental maintenance in multiple ongoing and new field experiments at Cedar Creek. The Isbell lab has several ecological research projects that consider the effects of global environmental changes (e.g. habitat loss and fragmentation, nutrient enrichment, climate change, exotic species invasions) on grassland plant communities, biodiversity and ecosystems. Interns also have the opportunity to participate in a research program at Cedar Creek, involving a group research project, workshops, seminars, and career panels, offering excellent opportunities to grow as a scientist. Positions begin in June and last through August/September (flexible on dates).

Please share this paid research internship opportunity for Summer 2026 with undergraduate students in your departments and classes! Please search job code #371979 on the U of M job site for more information and to apply. 

Application Deadline – February 20th, 2026

The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) (www.lumcon.edu) invites highly motivated undergraduates to apply for Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) positions in our NSF-sponsored summer 2026 REU program in Interdisciplinary Research Experiences in Changing Coastal Environments. REU participants will spend ten weeks (June 1^st – August 7^th) at LUMCON conducting independent research projects with guidance from scientific mentors / mentor teams and participate in a series of career and skill-building workshops and activities while interacting with peers participating in other aspects of LUMCON’s summer programs. Each student is paired with a scientific mentor(s) based on mutual research interests. The REU program is designed to give students a meaningful, hands-on research experience that takes advantage of state-of-the-art methods and technologies available at LUMCON. This summer, mentors are interested in supporting interns to conduct research in a number of topic areas, including: ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, habitat forming species, phytoplankton ecology, marine plant physiological ecology, behavioral ecology, sea level rise, marsh and estuarine biodiversity, disturbance ecology, dissolved oxygen dynamics, wetland science, bioimaging and fluid mechanics, restoration science, and biodiversity information science. More information on the program and details on potential mentors and projects can be found at http://lumcon.edu/REU.

Candidates must be available for the entire ten week period.  Successful applicants will receive a $650/week stipend; room and board at the Marine Center in Cocodrie, LA; funds to support transportation to and from LUMCON; and funds to support their research.

The ideal candidates should be interested in pursuing a career in coastal and/or marine science, creative, hard-working, detail orientated, dedicated, and comfortable working as part of research team. Experience with field or laboratory research is a plus but not necessary. To be eligible you must be returning to an undergraduate degree program in the fall (e.g., if you will graduate in May or June, you are NOT eligible).

Application deadline: March 9^th 2026.

Instructions for completing application packages which include (an online application form submitted through the National Science Foundation online application platform (ETAP), a one page statement that describes your interest in the REU position, academic goals, and any previous research experience, a  CV/resume, two letters of reference, and a copy of your current college transcript) can be found at http://lumcon.edu/REU.

Questions about the program and/or application process should be addressed to LUMCON’s REU Site Program Director, Dr. Brian Roberts, at reu@lumcon.edu.

Vegetation Science and Resource Management Internship:

This position offers experience with a diversity of vegetation data collection methods for vegetation monitoring, mapping, and research at Grand Teton National Park. Primary areas of focus are on sagebrush ecosystems, habitat restoration, grazing, and invasive plants. The intern will work under the direction of a University of Wyoming graduate-level student researcher and Grand Teton National Park ecologists. There are additional opportunities for the intern to assist with a range of native plant material, invasive plant management, and habitat restoration objectives.

Data Collection may include:

• Collect ocular estimates, shrub count, and shrub height data from intact and recently restored sagebrush steppe plant communities, identifying plants to species using taxonomic keys.
• Conduct photo-monitoring of restoration sites.
• Transect sampling for rangeland health
• Survey and map emerging invasive plant threats to Grand Teton using a strategy called Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR)
• Transect sampling and photo point monitoring before, during, and after treatment of invasive species to protect endemic Teton wirelettuce (Stephanomeria fluminea) in the braided cobblestones of Spread Creek
• Input data or upload data into databases

Grand Teton National Park Vegetation Crew Potential Opportunities:

• Collect native seed for future restoration work.
• Assist in the native plant nursery (water and care for plants, re-pot plants, weed).
• Map and monitor vegetation.
• Manual invasive plant treatment.
• Whitebark pine restoration or monitoring data collection at backcountry sites.
• Work alongside NPS biologists, technicians, youth conservation crews, visiting researchers, and natural resource professionals.

The position requires skills in plant identification and ecology and an interest in land management or ecological restoration. Requires the ability to focus on details and accurately record and manage data. Requires the ability to work well in small crews and independently. Requires undergraduate coursework in biology, with preferable coursework in ecology or botany. A current driver’s license and good driving record are required. The work environment is outside, often working for consecutive days in direct heat and sun, with potential for thunderstorms, biting insects, and interactions with bears and other large mammals. ALL applicants must be U.S. citizens, a student in the spring or summer 2026 semesters and be continuing in an academic program during fall 2026. Applicants should be able to work independently once provided direction and training.

Housing for this position will be provided at the University of Wyoming-National Park Service Research Center at the historic AMK Ranch on the shore of Jackson Lake in view of the beautiful Teton Range. We anticipate the start date to be approximately early-to-mid June with an end data in August. Specific start and end dates are still to be determined with field scheduling and may have some flexibility. Hourly wage will be $15.00.

For more information or to apply, email molly_murphy@nps.gov.

How to apply: Interested students should submit a resume, names and contact information for three references, their expected graduation date, and a short statement of interest and skills related to the internship(s) with Grand Teton National Park via email to the appropriate contact listed above by 5:00 PM (MST) on March 15, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received so early application is encouraged.

More information about Grand Teton National Park can be found at www.nps.gov.

Diverse students and students with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

The application portal is now OPEN for the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) summer session! Click on “STUDENTS” at www.rmbl.org. Priority deadline is February 13, 2026. 

RMBL summer program is a full-time 10-week independent research program at a world-class biological field station located at 9500 feet in the Rocky Mountains. All students (undergraduate or post-baccalaureate) participate in an intensive scientific research experience, designing and completing a project under the direction of a RMBL scientist mentor. Students in the RMBL program gain skills in scientific research including ethics and integrity in research, experimental design, GPS/GIS and the use of field equipment and methods, scientific communication, data and graphical analyses, and science career advancement. Students are an integral component of the RMBL community and are immersed in a broad range of scientific, recreational, and artistic opportunities while they live onsite at RMBL. 

If needed, Financial Aid is available in the form of REU awards and RMBL full and partial scholarships. All interested students are encouraged to apply!  For more information go to www.rmbl.org

Several paid summer internships for undergraduates and recently graduated students are available at the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER site. Read the position descriptions and apply here: https://gce-lter.marsci.uga.edu/public/employment/summer_internships.asp. Apply by March 1st.

pplications are now open for the summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Field Research at Mountain Lake Biological Station!

Spend 10 weeks atop a picturesque mountain in the Southern Appalachians while conducting an independent research project with an experienced mentor, participating in professional development workshops, and building new friendships and professional networks with other station users​. REU students receive a $7,000 stipend, travel funding to/from the station, research allowance for their projects, three meals per day at our on-site dining hall, and room and board.

The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026. Please check our website (https://mlbs.virginia.edu/reuprogram) for additional information.

Questions may be directed to Sandy Kawano at mlbs-reu@virginia.edu.

The Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program is now inviting applications for our summer 2026 entomology learnerships and internships.

The position is based at Hawthorne Valley Farm, a 500-acre organic and biodynamic diversified farm located in the heart of Columbia County, NY.

Application Process: To apply, please send a résumé, a cover letter highlighting why you are interested in the position and any relevant experience you might bring, and contact information for three references to our entomology lab manager, Kendrick Fowler, at kfowler@hawthornevalley.org. We would prefer (but do not require) that you send these materials as a single PDF document with the filename “Ento2026_YourLastName” (replacing “YourLastName” with your last name).

Timeline: We will begin reviewing applications on 4 Feb 2026, and applications received later than that may not be considered. If you wish to apply after that date, please contact us to confirm whether positions are still available.

The University of Michigan’s sprawling, forested campus in northern Michigan is recruiting students from across the U.S. to join the research community for eight weeks in the summer through a fully supported field experience focused on the natural systems and climate change.

The Biological Station Undergraduate Research Fellowship program runs June 15 – Aug. 7, 2026, at the U-M Biological Station, and includes mentors, a $5,500 stipend, and on-campus housing and meals. Research fees also are covered as part of the program.

https://lsa.umich.edu/umbs/news-events/all-news/search-news/apply-by-march-15-for-2026-undergraduate-research-fellowships-at.html

Research Experiences in Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecosystems (RESCoPE) at Georgia Southern University is now accepting applicants for our Summer 2026 cohort.

The RESCoPE program is a part of the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) initiative which aims to provide meaningful experience to develop undergraduate students using experience-based learning. Hosted in the Georgia Southern Institute for Coastal Plains Science, our program brings together ten undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and allows them to engage in independent research with a departmental faculty mentor during a ten-week program. Fellows are paid a weekly stipend ($725/week), housed on campus at no cost, and receive a meal plan with the university. Students are able to engage with faculty, graduate students, and a number of program partners from governmental entities and NGOs in the southeastern US. Our program provides meaningful experiences to growing researchers including field trips, expert-led panels for professional development, and an opportunity to present research findings at an end-of-the-program symposium! Research is focused in Coastal Plain ecosystems in the Southeastern US, including hardwood forests, sand hills, blackwater rivers, and barrier islands. Program faculty mentors have a wide breadth of research interests including landscape ecology, freshwater science, fisheries biology, entomology, and more!  Explore the program’s webpage, linked here, to learn more about potential faculty mentors, the University, and how to apply. 

Selected applicants will receive:

• A ten-week paid fellowship position ($7,250 total).
• Research experience mentored by a program faculty mentor.
• Networking opportunities with program partners and GS faculty (seminars, workshops, field trips, etc.).
• Included housing on the Georgia Southern Statesboro campus.
• A pre-loaded Eagle Express card with enough funds for meals from on campus facilities for the duration of the program. Eagle Express can also be used around campus and at select restaurants, businesses, and grocery stores around town. 
• On-campus parking for those with vehicles. 
• Professional and personal growth through a dynamic and enriching cohort-based program.

Eligible applicants:

• Must be currently enrolled in an applicable undergraduate program; applicants must be eligible to enroll in Fall 2026 and be actively pursuing an undergraduate degree at that time. 
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Must be able to relocate to Statesboro, GA for the duration of the program. Travel costs (flights, fuel/milage, etc.) will be reimbursed. 

Applicants must submit:

• A completed online application and registration through the online NSF ETAP portal. (https://etap.nsf.gov/award/2742/opportunity/11512)
• A personal essay expressing your interest in the RESCoPE program at Georgia Southern and your research background.
• One reference for a letter of recommendation. 
• Undergraduate transcript(s)
• Please visit our program website for more information on applying to the program. 

The RESCoPE REU is currently pending award renewal. If funding is not awarded, applicants will be notified. Applications for the RESCoPE NSF REU Program are due on March 1st, 2026 

The Edmund Niles Huyck Preserve and Biological Research Station in Rensselaerville, NY is now accepting applications for its 2026 Odum Internship in Field Ecology. Working with Dr. Mark Lesser, Associate Professor of Environmental Science at SUNY Plattsburgh and the Preserve’s 2026 Summer Research Fellow, interns will learn from scientific professionals, conduct and present original research, and gain valuable environmental education experience through involvement in the Preserve’s high school summer program. This is a six-week internship with on-site housing and a small stipend provided. Those wishing to earn college credit for the internship must make arrangements with their college or university. 

Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Albany, NY, the Huyck Preserve is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, education, research, and recreation. As one of the oldest independent biological research stations in the United States, the Huyck Preserve has supported research continuously since 1938. Further information can be found at http://www.huyckpreserve.org/.

To learn more about the internship and to apply please visit http://www.huyckpreserve.org/odum-internship.html.

The deadline for applications is Friday February 20, 2026. Please address inquiries about the internship to Anne Rhoads, Ph.D., Executive Director, at anne@huyckpreserve.org.

Environmental and Earth Systems Research at Biosphere 2 (biosphere2.org/education/university-programs/research-experience-undergrads-reu) is a 10-week summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Students participate in a variety of activities that will help them pursue a career in environmental sciences. They conduct their own research with a faculty mentor, interact with other participants and scientists, and present research findings in a formal poster symposium setting. Additionally, students participate in professional development workshops and outreach activities.

Undergraduate students from a wide range of disciplines and interests including geology, hydrology, biology, ecology, soil, plant, and atmospheric science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, or computer science are encouraged to apply. Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for this NSF (National Science Foundation) funded program. Applications from students in institutions with limited research opportunities are particularly encouraged.

Student projects take advantage of the Biosphere 2 research infrastructure, including Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO) (biosphere2.org/research/research-initiatives/landscape-evolution-observatory-leo), as well as field sites in the Sonoran desert and sky island mountains around Tucson. Projects focus on a variety of topics that include (but aren’t limited to): coupling ecohydrology and biogeochemistry, investigating abiotic and biotic contributions to ecosystem processes, integrating measurements across scales, using innovative tools to link climate and ecological function, and modeling of ecosystem and soil processes. Students work with several outreach organizations (e.g., Arizona Institute for Resilience, Water Resources Research Center,  University of Arizona Cooperative Extension) at the University of Arizona that address local and global environmental challenges.

REU Students receive a competitive stipend, lodging at Biosphere 2’s student village, food allowance, travel support to and from Tucson, AZ, as well as to a professional meeting to present their work. Applications for summer of 2026 (June 8 – Aug 14, 2026) are due March 1st, 2026, and link to application form can be found at: biosphere2.org/education/university-programs/research-experience-undergrads-reu. Students can also apply on https://etap.nsf.gov/ website.

Conservation Corps work all over the U.S. on projects ranging in focus from Ecology to History: Conservation Legacy and Corps Network.  You can serve on a crew with other young(er) folks, or be placed individually.  Most positions will come with an AmeriCorps stipend, education award, and other benefits.

Open Positions

Biomedical Research Internships Resources (PDF)

Paid internships all around the country, ranging from 3 to 12 months, most with housing provided and an AmeriCorps Education award upon completion.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces across the country. After working with the SCA, program participants emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.

For students and faculty in search of internships with government laboratories:

• Zintellect – Climb Higher
• Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)

Summer and school-year internships with GSK, a science-led global healthcare and pharmaceutical company: