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.
Fall 2025
9/8 – Bimini Shark Lab – FL/Bahamas
Bimini Shark Lab – Research, Education, & Conservation Internship
Bimini Biological Field Station https://www.biminisharklab.com/
Details:
Posting: https://www.biminisharklab.com/internships
Application Deadline: 08/30/2025
Starting Date: 3/1/2026
Ending Date: 6/1/2026
Salary: none
Education Required: none
Experience Required: none
Locations: The Florida Keys (Florida) and South Bimini (The Bahamas)
Description: The Shark Lab is seeking highly motivated, hard-working people with a desire to gain experience in marine science and remote field station living. Interns are integrated into all aspects of the Station’s workload – alongside field activities, they are expected to assist with fixing equipment, cleaning the facilities, and cooking family-style meals. Not only do interns gain practical skills and knowledge throughout their time, but they are given the opportunity to obtain connections in a diversity of disciplines, including photography and videography, research, outreach and more. We believe that interning at the field station is a life-changing experience that not only develops scientists but also helps to create well-rounded people with a drive and passion to succeed in whatever path they choose to follow. A day in the life of an intern at the Shark Lab can be very dynamic. While a big part of the internship is gaining experience in the field and interacting with sharks, interns should also understand that not every day is spent in the field and days will consist of prioritizing the smooth operation of the Station. Each day interns will complete a morning and afternoon checklist of shared household responsibilities which involves sweeping, mopping, doing the dishes, cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry, and general tidying up. These are essential tasks that keep the Station running smoothly and everyone is expected to contribute.
In the field, interns are responsible for completing deckhand duties, whether out with visiting students or on the water during a day off. Deckhand duties include prepping gear for the field activities, prepping/cutting bait, fueling, assisting with anchoring, tying knots, helping guests, and cleaning the boats and gear at the end of the field activity. Be prepared to get your hands dirty! It is important to note that an internship with the Shark Lab is not a holiday in the tropics, and should not be treated as such. While the Shark Lab will provide many exciting and once in a lifetime opportunities, we expect all interns to participate in ALL aspects of the work, and to display a strong work ethic and positive attitude.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE – UP TO 5 INTERNS PER INTERNSHIP PERIOD
ELIGIBILITY:
•Must be over 18
•Must have a valid passport book and be able to enter and stay in the USA
and The Bahamas for at least 30 days
•Must be available for the entire internship period
•Able to lift/carry 50lbs
•Able to live on remote sub-tropical island with limited resources and medical
facilities (hot weather, intense sun, mosquitos/bugs, power outages, etc.)
•Be prepared for sometimes long or intense work days in the field
•Be comfortable with communal living, sharing rooms, sharing household
chore duties
•Be comfortable around large dogs
•Be willing to participate in outreach and education initiatives
•Note: this position is voluntary
Contact: Bimini Shark Lab, internships@biminisharklab.com
9/8 – Field research assistant positions with the Mara Hyena Project – Kenya
Spend a year collecting behavioral and ecological data on spotted hyenas in the Maasai Mara, Kenya!
The Mara Hyena Project is looking for research assistants to contribute to our work on the behavior and ecology of spotted hyenas in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in southwestern Kenya. We are hiring 2-4 people: 1-2 to work from January-December 2026 and 1-2 to work from July 2026 – June 2027. Application deadline is September 15th—see this form for more details and instructions on how to apply.
8/15 – Andean Bear Conservation Program – Peru
We’re offering a volunteer position with the Andean Bear Conservation Program at Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station, Peru. This role supports visitor experiences, fieldwork, and conservation education in a unique cloud forest setting.
Key details:
- Location: Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station, Kosñipata Valley, Cusco Region
- Elevation: 2,000–3,000 m
- Commitment: minimum 3 months; Start: 1 September 2025
- Applications open until the position is filled
- TOR: full details here: https://tinyurl.com/22kyoa68
What you’ll do
- Welcome visitors and deliver / support presentations
- Assist birdwatching, trail observations, and feeders
- Hands-on experience environmental education with local schools/communities
- Coordinate naturalist experiences; assist wildlife monitoring (camera traps, field data)
- Help create outreach content (social media, photos, videos, posters)
- Support logistics and maintenance of visitor areas
Who we’re seeking
- Background in biology, ecology, ecotourism, environmental education, or related fields
- Advanced English and conversational Spanish; interest in birds
- Comfortable living in a remote, biodiverse setting with a small team
- Physically able to hike at altitude; proactive and conservation-minded
Benefits
- Full accommodation and meals
- Travel and logistics: Applicants are responsible for all travel costs to Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station, including international and domestic flights, visas, and any local transportation to the site.
- Certificate of participation
- Hands-on experience in ecotourism, education, and wildlife conservation
- Language improvement; opportunity to engage with local and research communities
How to apply:
Please email your CV and a brief motivation letter (max 1 page) to: comunicacion.wayqecha@conservacionamazonica.org, subject: Wayqecha volunteer application – [Your name]
Deadline: until the position is filled
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.