Research Assistant Intern; Water

Overview

Woodwell Climate Research Center Summer Internships Program 2026

Mission:
Woodwell Climate Research Center conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just and meaningful impact to address the climate crisis. Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research helps individuals, organizations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary:

Join Woodwell’s 2026 Summer Internship Program as a Research Assistant Intern in aquatic ecology and water chemistry in the Water program. The Research Assistant Intern will conduct field work on a project that measures water quality in Buzzards Bay estuaries using both wet chemistry and continuously-recording data loggers. Field work will involve water collections in shallow estuaries, deployment, and maintenance of both loggers at fixed locations and loggers deployed on robotic gliders.

Be part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes scientists from the Woodwell Center, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and scientists at the Buzzards Bay Coalition, a regional non-profit organization. In this role, the intern will gain experience through field and laboratory work across fields including water chemistry, data management, and data analysis of the factors that control estuarine water quality.

The applicant will gain experience through field and laboratory work across fields including the social science of what motivates water quality volunteers, water chemistry, data management and data analysis of the factors that control estuarine water quality.

• Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in aquatic ecology and water chemistry
• Participate in field and laboratory measurements of water quality
• Process and analyze project data
• Travel to several Buzzards Bay field sites at various designated times throughout the day and week
• Conduct an independent project using data collected

• Demonstrated organizational skills, the ability to work as a member of a team, and the ability to communicate with colleagues
• Demonstrated skills in data organization and analysis
• Ability to work independently as well as productively as part of a team
• Basic proficiency with word processing, data management and presentation software (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint or equivalent programs)
• Willingness to operate small boats or willingness to take safety courses to become certified
• Demonstrated skills in data organization and analysis (duplicate retained as originally provided)
• Ability and willingness to endure exposure to sun and occasional insects, ticks, and poison ivy
• Ability and capable of rigorous outdoor activity (lifting 25+ pounds, bending, carrying heavy equipment, and walking through uneven terrain, waist-high waters and marsh)
• Ability to visit multiple local field sites
• Familiarity with best practices for field safety and/or some field experience preferred
• Ability for local travel at various locations for field work within Massachusetts

• Must be enrolled in an undergraduate program within Environmental Science, Ecology, Botany, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Marine Biology, Natural Resources or related field
• Must be eligible to work for Woodwell Climate in the US without visa sponsorship now or in the future

• In the field, the physical requirements of this role include:
  Air, train, vehicle travel to access field locations;
  Driving a vehicle or ATV to access field locations;
  Walking, hiking, climbing to access field locations;
  Paddling, canoeing to access field locations;
  Standing and sitting for sustained periods;
  Frequent bending, squatting, and kneeling;
  Reaching overhead;
  Climbing ladders;
  Use of manual and power tools including shovels, saws, drills, and hammers;
  Ability to lift up to 25 (up to 50) lbs up to 10 times/day;
  Ability to carry up to 25 lbs up to 10 times/day;
  Ability to push/pull up to 25 lbs up to 10 times/day

The functions of this role are conducted in a variety of environments, including indoor office, lab, and outdoor settings.

This role is paid on an hourly basis. Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek.

Location:

Falmouth, Massachusetts onsite. Classification and Compensation:
This is a full-time, temporary, hourly, non-exempt, internship position, paid $15/hour, $600/week based on a 40 hour week. Internship will not exceed more than 90 days.

To apply, please complete the application, attach your resume and cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the…