Environmental Laboratory Intern

Paid Interns

Paid interns are limited to 119 working days per calendar year and receive $18.00 per hour.

• Currently enrolled in a degree‑seeking program in an accredited college or university and will be enrolled in the 2026/2027 school year.
• Permanent residency within the territorial boundaries of the MWRD (students may attend school outside the territorial boundaries).
• You must be a citizen or national of the United States, or an individual who is otherwise legally authorized to work in the United States.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is seeking an Environmental Laboratory Intern to join the Monitoring and Research Department. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to learn the operation of instruments such as the SEAL discrete chemical analyzer, ICP‑OES, and ICP‑MS, along with gravimetric analytical methods. The intern will be trained to follow laboratory safety protocols and quality assurance procedures.

They will gain hands‑on experience in a laboratory setting, learn to utilize the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and develop an understanding of laboratory operations. Additionally, the intern will work in a collaborative team environment, interacting with laboratory technicians and chemists to understand workload prioritization, workflow management, and the implications of errors during the analytical process.

• Experience in general laboratory and safety practices
• Familiarity with analytical instrumentation
• Preferred knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions

Applicants must be a current graduate or undergraduate student seeking a degree in chemistry, biology, or related sciences.