**Needs Filled** Paid Marine Ecology Internship (Benthic) – Fall/Winter 2015 Smithsonian Marine Station - Ft. Pierce, FL
Description of Proposed Activity: The primary task for any intern will be pre-sorting benthic samples. This involves separating organisms from detritus and sorting them into major taxonomic groups (phylum, order, etc.). These samples will then be identified and enumerated by a biologist. The intern will help input data into our online database which was created specifically for this project. The results of our bottom sample findings are recorded here and are stored until ready for statistical analysis. In addition to faunal samples, we have a large amount of sediment core samples that are ready for organic content analysis and grain size analysis. The intern will assist the scientist(s) in collecting this data. As part of the Marine Ecology Lab interns will also have the opportunity to assist Post-Doctoral Fellows with their research projects, including feeding assays using bivalves, stable isotope monitoring, and oyster reef ecology. Objectives of Proposed Activity: The benthic ecology lab at the Smithsonian Marine Station is working with St. John’s River Water Management Districts Harmful Algal Bloom monitoring program. Repeated bottom faunal samples, sediment samples, and environmental (temperature, salinity, etc.) measurements are taken four times a year at 27 sites. The intern would assist in most aspects of the monitoring program. Time Commitments: We are looking for an intern for the Fall/Winter. A typical intern in the benthic ecology lab will work 40 hours per week for a 12 week period (with the possibility of extension). This time frame can be changed and will be determined on the availability of the intern and staff. Payment will be discussed upon further inquiry. Qualifications Required: A background and/or strong interest in Marine Biology. Good hand-eye coordination and basic computer skills are required for sorting and data entry. Experience with microscopes / invertebrate zoology is not required but candidates with efficiency in these areas will be given precedence over those without. However, we still encourage those with less experience to apply. Applying process: Please send an updated CV and letter of interest to one of the contacts below. Please provide a clear description of experience, including volunteer work. This opening is for a 12 week internship, please provide a rough time of availability. (i.e.: September 1st - November 31st 2015). Katrina Bayliss – [email protected] ***If you can’t commit to the internship, but would still like to gain some experience we are also taking volunteers! Check out the postings on www.sms.si.edu/Get_Involved.html.***
