Undergraduate Research Internships – Summer 2022

North Inlet – Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Baruch Marine Field Laboratory, Georgetown, SC

The North Inlet – Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, one of 30 NOAA-funded estuarine research reserves and located at the UofSC Baruch Marine Field Laboratory in Georgetown, SC, is offering 1 undergraduate research internship for the summer of 2022.

The intern will work with NERR scientists, UofSC faculty and graduate students, and other undergraduate research interns in support of research projects investigating the community ecology of nearshore estuarine habitats, including salt marshes and oyster reefs.

The internship will involve a combination of field and laboratory sampling and analysis. There will also be opportunities to gain experience in other ongoing estuarine research and monitoring projects to broaden the internship experience. Additional information about ongoing research and monitoring projects, and the North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR in general, can be found on the Reserve’s website (see address above).

The internship runs for 10 weeks from late May to early August (start/end dates somewhat flexible) and pays $12/hour for a 37.5 hour work week (which may include some nights and/or weekends). Free housing in the BMFL dormitories will be provided. Interns must have their own transportation and proof of health insurance. Prospective interns must be working towards an undergraduate degree in one of the natural or environmental sciences at an accredited college.

Interested applicants should send an email [subject line: NI-WB Summer Internship 2022] to the Reserve’s Research Coordinator, Dr. Robert Dunn (robert@baruch.sc.edu) and include a brief statement of research and career interests, year in school and program of study, unofficial transcripts, and names and contact information for two references. Applications must be received by March 4, 2022

The North Inlet – Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, one of 30 NOAA-funded estuarine research reserves and located at the UofSC Baruch Marine Field Laboratory in Georgetown, SC, is offering 1 undergraduate education internship for the summer of 2022. The goal of the Reserve’s 2022 undergraduate education internship is to promote conservation-based environmental education career paths for underrepresented students from the Lowcountry, and expand NIWB public outreach capacities with new opportunities to engage diverse audiences.  A primary focus of the internship will be to help assess current Reserve programming and assist the education sector in creating culturally relevant content through new perspectives and community relationship building.

Based on the interests and abilities of the student, opportunities for an intern may include:

• Interaction (presenting, public speaking) with participants of all ages in seasonal estuary programs and student day camp experiences in salt and fresh water habitats
• Education staff mentoring to engage the intern in unique, hands-on learning experiences with STEM and career connections (interns may also explore opportunities via coastal training, research, and stewardship sectors)
• Experience coastal ecosystems through kayaking, family fishing clinics, beach programs, birding, and estuary art activities for public participants of all ages
• Participate in the annual NERRS ‘Teachers on the Estuary’ professional teacher development workshop in July (exposure to NOAA Estuary Education resources)
• Engage with a variety of audiences in virtual programming offered by the Reserve, including local library branches and virtual ‘feature creatures’
• Create video images and written content for the Reserve’s social media platforms and web

The Education Internship runs for 10 weeks from late May to early August (start/end dates somewhat flexible), pays $12/hour for a 37.5 hour workweek (which may include weekend work) and provides free housing in the BMFL dormitories. The intern must have their own transportation and proof of health insurance, and a USC background check to work with minors.  Prospective interns must be working towards an undergraduate degree in humanities, natural or applied sciences at an accredited college. Interested applicants should send an email [subject line: NI-WB Summer Internship 2022] to the NERR Education Coordinator, Beth Thomas (beth@baruch.sc.edu), and include a brief statement of education and career interests, year in school and program of study, and names and contact information for two references.  Applications must be received by March 4, 2022. 

* This internship has been filled. Please see above for additional internship opportunities with the NI-WB NERR. 

Undergraduate Internship in Stormwater Education and Outreach – Summer 2022

The North Inlet – Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, one of 30 NOAA-funded estuarine research reserves and located at the UofSC Baruch Marine Field Laboratory in Georgetown, SC, is offering an undergraduate internship for the summer of 2022.  

Project summary: Stormwater outreach professionals have observed landscaping-related stormwater best management practices do not have widespread implementation in coastal South Carolina. This points to a communication gap somewhere along the information chain involving stormwater educators, stormwater pond owners, and landscaping professionals. There is a need to identify and understand the barriers that prevent the application of best practices (e.g. vegetated buffers around stormwater ponds) to protect watershed health. 

The objectives of the internship are to: 

1. Disseminate and analyze a survey on barriers to application of stormwater pond best management practices
2. Assist with stormwater education and outreach programs, including a Stormwater Pond Management Conference
3. Develop recommendations and/or educational products (e.g. videos, presentations, etc.)

Area(s) of discipline: Social Science, Science Communication, Stormwater Management, Environmental policy

The intern will work with the NERR Coastal Training Program Coordinator. The internship will involve a combination of social science research and science communication and outreach. There will also be opportunities to attend other NERR trainings and to gain experience in other ongoing estuarine research projects to broaden the internship experience.

The intern will need excellent communication skills and curiosity to learn about others’ experiences. Conducting surveys and outreach programs will require organization and attention to detail. The intern will gain experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Basic knowledge of coastal environmental issues is helpful, and interest in evidence-based environmental management is a plus.  

Internships run for 10 weeks from late May to early August (start/end dates somewhat flexible), pay $12/hour for a 37.5 hour workweek (which may include weekend work) and provide free housing in the BMFL dormitories. The intern must have their own transportation and proof of health insurance. Prospective interns must be working towards an undergraduate degree in one of the natural or environmental sciences at an accredited college. Interested applicants should send an email [subject line: NI-WB Summer Internship 2022] to the NERR Coastal Training Program Coordinator, Ms. Maeve Snyder (msnyder@baruch.sc.edu). Application emails should include a brief statement of research and career interests, year in school and program of study, unofficial transcripts, and names and contact information for two references. Application review will begin March 4th.