These volunteer job and internship opportunities in the biological sciences are unpaid opportunities that may compensate participants with some combination of housing, food, and travel stipends. They typically are field-based, and do not involve an individual research project.
Winter/Spring 2026
11/5 – Tree census intern positions in Texas Piney Woods – TX
Dr. Aaron Hogan’s Forest Dynamics Lab in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University seeks post-baccalaureate volunteer tree census interns to help establish a large, permanent forest dynamics plot.
DESCRIPTION: An initial tree census of the 20-Ha Cooks Branch Forest Dynamics Plot in the Cooks Branch Conservancy, near Montgomery, Texas (about an hour southeast of Texas A&M University at College Station), will be carried out in 2026. Volunteer post-bachelor’s degree interns seeking field ecology experience will complete the tree census work over 6 months beginning mid-January 2026. After training in census protocols, tree identification, and data management standards, volunteers will work in the forest, measuring and mapping trees within marked grids. Volunteers work together in small groups under the supervision of a field technician, spending workdays in the field (8 am until 4 pm, Monday-Friday, with weekends free) in the outdoor conditions of the East Texas Piney Woods forest.
While in Texas, volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about diverse aspects of forest and savannah ecology, wildlife ecology, and conservation biology from scientists conducting research at Cooks Branch and at the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Hogan and other research personnel will engage in capacity building and mentorship activities with interns.
PROBABLE DURATION: beginning January 15, 2025, with a tentative 6-month appointment (until July 15, 2026).
STIPEND: $1000 per month to cover food and general living expenses.
ACCOMMODATION: Living quarters for the tree census group will be provided in a field house at the Cooks Branch Conservancy, Montgomery. TX. Housing is communal, using shared resources. Transportation will be available.
TRAVEL: Reimbursement of up to $500 (250$ per one-way ticket, if ticket price exceeds 500$) towards a round-trip plane ticket from within the United States.
NOTE: This is an unpaid internship to give post-bachelor’s degree individuals hands-on experience in the field. We are unable to provide health insurance.
REQUIREMENTS: College graduates with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, preferably with a background in biology, ecology, or environmental science, field-work experience, and knowledge of plant identification. Experience working in forests with tree/plant inventory is useful but not required. We are currently only considering US citizens and permanent US residents for these opportunities. Applicants must pass a background check.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To be considered, please fill out this online application: https://forms.gle/utABE6A8jV2zJvZ29
Completed applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until positions are filled, with an application end date of December 15th, 2025.
You may email any questions or inquiries about these positions to aaron.hogan@ag.tamu.edu.
Year-round
Ecology & Conservation Internships – Costa Rica
Osa Conservation offers both short- and long-term internships at our biological station in Costa Rica’s southern Pacific Ocean.
At Osa Conservation, we reconnect the rainforest, monitor and protect biodiversity, and work hand-in-hand with the local community to build climate resilient ecosystems for people and wildlife. Our team works across southern Costa Rica, connecting and protecting landscapes and biodiversity from the ridges of the Talamanca mountains to the coral reefs of the Golfo Dulce and the Pacific Ocean. Be part of our conservation successes and come get your boots dirty in one of Earth’s greatest wildernesses.
Microbiology / Sustainability Internship – VT
Microbiology Intern (Job ID: 21-09) – GSR Solutions, Burlington VT
We are inviting dependable and highly driven interns with good microbiology and/or biology-related skills as well as experience with lab practices and record-keeping that are creative, independent, motivated by challenges, and passionate about making a sustainable impact in communities. The interns will be responsible for providing scientific support to our team in an intellectually challenging environment while following essential workplace safety guidelines.
Job requirements: Interns will be required to assist with experiments, taking measurements, reporting, etc., and maintain both equipment and work areas in a clean, organized manner in accordance with the current safety and quality standards.
Qualifications: BS or MS student pursuing a degree in Microbiology, Medical, Biology, Biochemistry, or a major related to the position of interest. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Hours: flexible, from 5 to 20 weekly
Number of positions available: 2
**Position is unpaid, but can be set up for internship credit through UVM.
To Apply: email your resume with complete contact information along with three references to info@gensysresearch.com
About GSR Solutions: We provide sustainable solutions for addressing the challenges of food, water, and energy markets. Our mission is to create value from waste streams and help communities address environmental, economic, and social challenges to build a sustainable future for all.