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.
Spring/Summer 2026
Come be an integral part of an actionable climate science project!
We are looking for someone to help manage updates to the Climate Action Tool website and support the Climate Action Tool team, as well as communicate highlights externally via social media. This position will ensure that the Climate Action Tool website is accurate and user-friendly, while assisting with content creation and updates to maintain reliable access to information about how climate change is affecting the Northeast and how users can incorporate climate science into their goals, strategies, tactics, and day-to-day actions. The work will be supervised by the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NE CASC) US Geological Survey (USGS) Research Ecologist Toni Lyn Morelli, in collaboration with researchers and natural resource managers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USGS, and state partners. The intern will have opportunities to network with state and federal natural resource agencies and gain skills in climate science, adaptation, communication, and web design/development.
Preferred Skills:
- Self-motivated and able to initiate and complete tasks independently
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Experience with web design (Squarespace, Weebly, Drupal, etc.) preferred
- Ability to prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines
- Background in environmental science, biological science, or ecology is preferred
- Interest in climate change, environmental sciences, ecological stewardship, and environmental justice strongly preferred
- Ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical staff in a university and government environment
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines independently
Schedule: Remote. Start Date ASAP. 5-10 hours/week on average, with flexibility around the intern’s schedule; preference for applicants that are available for multiple semesters/seasons.
To apply, please submit your resume to Toni Lyn Morelli at morelli@umass.edu. More information on Dr. Morelli’s research group at https://morellilab.weebly.com/
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.