Lobster Ecology & Industry Internships: Deadline February 21, 2025

The Brady Lab and Lobster Institute seek two undergraduate students to assist in marine science research projects this summer at the University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center (DMC). All applicants are ideally working towards a bachelor’s degree in a Biological Science, preferably Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Fisher Science, Communications, or a related field.

Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career in the marine sciences. All interns will be expected to attend weekly lab meetings with the research team. On occasion, hours may extend beyond the standard 8-hour work day. The interns will divide time between research-related tasks as part of the Deepwater Lobster Settlement project, the eMOLT program, and Lobster Institute projects.

Deepwater Lobster Settlement

Description: This science-industry partnership aims to evaluate the relationship between bottom temperature gradients and the depth-wise distribution of newly settled and older juvenile lobsters along the Maine coast. Vessel-deployed lobster postlarval collectors are placed in a random stratified design in coordination with Maine DMR’s current ventless trap monitoring across three depth strata in the oceanographically contrasting east and west segments of Maine’s coast. The paired sampling approach enables us to evaluate the influence of temperature gradients on the nursery potential of the seabed for new settlers and movements by older lobsters.

Responsibilities: The interns will be tasked with assisting with the preparation and deployment of lobster collectors at sea, processing samples (species identification, size, etc.), and data recording and entry.

Qualifications: The ability to work and communicate effectively in both team settings and Individually is required. Strong applicants will have experience working on/around small watercraft and a high level of comfort in/around the water. A positive attitude and the ability to lift at least 50 pounds and withstand long hot/humid or cold/rainy/windy days in the field are necessary.

Environmental Monitoring on Lobster Traps (eMOLT)

Description: The eMOLT program was established in 1995 to expand the ecosystem monitoring of the coastal New England continental shelf. The eMOLT program utilizes low-cost sensors attached to gear used by commercial fishermen to collect bottom water temperatures, water column temperature profiles, and dissolved oxygen data from their fishing grounds. More than 100 fishing vessels are currently involved in the eMOLT program, and our goal is to increase the number of participants by Maine lobstermen.

Responsibilities: The interns will be tasked with the preparation and testing of temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors and traveling along coastal Maine to install systems on fishing vessels.

Qualifications: Strong applicants will have experience working on/around small watercraft, have a high level of comfort in/around the water, and have a working knowledge of using hand tools.

The Lobster Institute

Description: Since 1987, the Lobster Institute has been a center of discovery, innovation, and outreach at the University of Maine. Its mission is to promote, conduct, and communicate research focused on the sustainability of the American lobster fishery in the US and Canada.

The Institute also provides technical and educational outreach, disseminates research findings in understandable and accessible ways, and convenes conferences and workshops to engage stakeholders in solving challenges faced by this iconic fishery.

Responsibilities: This work will involve assisting with outreach events, researching news events, and developing outreach materials for the project, From STEM to Stern: Partnering to Explore Experiential Learning through a Lobster Boat Platform.

Qualifications: We seek an intern with excellent attention to detail, a strong work ethic, the ability to problem solve, organization skills, and an interest in outreach and communications.Other: Interns are expected to participate in the DMC Student Research Symposium. For this, interns, with supervisor support, will develop an independent research project (this summer based on their participation in the Deep Water Settlement and eMOLT projects) and present their findings at a poster session at the Symposium held the first week of August 2025.

Additional Information

• Location: University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center, Walpole, Maine 04573
• Application Deadline: February 21, 2025
• Position: Full-time internship
• Duration: 10-12 weeks, possible start and end dates: May 19-August 8, 2024
• Stipend: $450-$540/week
• Housing: Fully covered at the Darling Marine Center dormitory.
• Meals: A limited meal plan is included with this internship, with DMC providing lunch Monday-Friday and dinner two nights a week. Students are responsible for all other meals during their internship and are provided with shared storage and kitchen facilities for meal preparation. 

How to Apply: Please send a letter of interest, CV, and two references to Chris Brehme (chris.brehme@maine.edu), Chris Cash (christina.cash@maine.edu), and Andrew Goode (andrew.goode@maine.edu).