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 2027

11/5 – Volunteer positions in the Peruvian cloud forest

Conservación Amazónica (ACCA) is recruiting volunteers for the 2027 season at Wayqecha Biological Station, a cloud forest research station in the Kosñipata Valley (Cusco, Peru), on the edge of Manu National Park. Volunteers join our Andean Bear Conservation Program in one of the most biodiverse landscapes of the Tropical Andes.

We are offering three positions:

1. Botany & Wildlife Volunteer (on-site)
A hybrid role that gives you field experience in both plant and wildlife research:

  • Cloud forest plant inventories and ecological restoration experiments
  • Germination trials focused on threatened tree species
  • Camera-trap monitoring and mammal identification
  • Studies on Andean bear and dwarf Peruvian deer ecology

2. Environmental Education Volunteer (on-site)
Work alongside our local education team to:

  • Design and deliver lessons and outdoor activities
  • Accompany school groups and visitors, and guide interpretive walks
  • Facilitate workshops and citizen science activities
  • Develop educational materials

3. Design & Interpretation Volunteer (remote or on-site)
For designers, scientific illustrators and science communicators who want to create posters, trail panels, booklets and field guides with our science and education team. Remote volunteers commit to at least 3 pieces, with scope and timeline agreed with the program coordinator.

Details:

Season: February to October 2027, with flexible start dates
Minimum stay: 2 months (on-site positions)
Applications: reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled

To apply, send your CV and a motivation letter (max. 1 page) stating the position, your preferred start month and length of stay to jyuca@conservacionamazonica.org and rpillco@conservacionamazonica.org. Design applicants, please include a portfolio link and say whether you prefer remote or on-site. Subject line: Wayqecha volunteer 2027 | [Position] | [Your name]

Full details are in the attached Terms of Reference.

We look forward to welcoming people excited to learn, contribute and experience conservation work in the Andean cloud forest.

10/14 – Internships in coral restoration – FL

Mote’s International Coral Gene Bank in Sarasota, FL is seeking highly motivated individuals for late Winter/Spring Internships.

Please see below for available internship opportunities. For more information and applications, please visit https://mote.org/internships/college/coral-gene-bank/

Mote’s International Coral Gene Bank Coral Husbandry Internship: 

Mote’s International Coral Gene Bank was created to provide a safe haven for coral species preservation worldwide. We do this by collecting and caring for unique and diverse genotypes of coral, which are held within hardened and redundant land based systems, that are managed by experts in coral husbandry, research, and restoration. Mote’s Gene Bank also utilizes a subset of gene banked coral for sexual reproduction to  increase genetic diversity that can be used as stock for reef restoration.

The Gene Bank comprises 28 recirculating aquaculture systems ranging in size from 95 gallons to 1500 gallons that are fully equipped with remote monitoring systems and state of the art life support equipment. This internship opportunity focuses on coral husbandry, where daily tasks are centered around the care for the coral and necessary maintenance of the critical life support systems. Interns will have the opportunity to learn how to properly care for corals of varying species, sizes, and ages present within our inventory.

This is a full-time, 10-12 week internship with start dates available through January and February 2027. Weekend work may be required, but total hours will not exceed 40/week. Need-based stipends are available for those who qualify. No previous coral husbandry experience necessary. You must be a highly motivated individual willing to learn, comfortable with getting wet/dirty, and have your own transportation.

Mote’s International Coral Gene Bank Reproduction Internship

Mote’s International Coral Gene Bank was created to provide a safe haven for coral species preservation worldwide. We do this by collecting and caring for unique and diverse genotypes of coral, which are held within hardened and redundant land based systems, that are managed by experts in coral husbandry, research, and restoration. Mote’s Gene Bank also utilizes a subset of gene banked coral for sexual reproduction to increase genetic diversity that can be used as stock for reef restoration.

Coral sexual reproduction is crucial for population persistence, generating genetic diversity and promoting adaptive evolution. However, many species on Florida’s Coral Reef are experiencing reproductive failure and new generations of coral offspring are failing to recruit into adult populations. As part of Mote’s Coral Health and Disease Research Program, the Coral Reproduction team at Mote’s Coral Gene Bank focuses on several facets of coral reproduction for research and restoration including assisted sexual reproduction, managed breeding and optimizing ex-situ coral sexual propagation processes. Work may include rearing sexual recruits and grow-out, fragmentation, general coral husbandry, and maintaining spawning systems. As well as opportunities to learn other facets of Coral Gene Banking.

This is a full-time, 10-12 week internship with start dates available through January and February 2027. Weekend work may be required, but total hours will not exceed 40/week. Need-based stipends are available for those who qualify. No previous coral husbandry experience necessary. You must be a highly motivated individual willing to learn, comfortable with getting wet/dirty, and have your own transportation.

Come be part of the effort to protect coral biodiversity and help secure the future of our reefs.

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.

Browse Internships

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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. 


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