Marine Water Quality Laboratory (MWQL) Internship: Apply by February 15th, 2025!
Internship Opportunity:
If you have an interest in environmental monitoring, community science, and learning practical field and laboratory analysis skills, the MWQL internship is a great opportunity. The MWQL provides environmental sample analysis for a wide range of clients in industry, research, and community science. The MWQL is accredited by the State of Maine for several of our analytical protocols. The MWQL works with the Brady Lab’s Maine Center for sustainable coastal resources at UMaine’s Darling Marine Center. The MWQL is recruiting an undergraduate summer intern to join our team. This position offers a unique chance to contribute to local marine water quality monitoring, to learn various analytical protocols including EPA Clean Water Act methods for marine water analysis, to work with local community science water quality monitoring efforts, and to learn practical laboratory skills.
Key Responsibilities:
• General Laboratory Duties: Learn and conduct day-to-day laboratory tasks.
• Sample Analysis: Learn analytical protocols and work with environmental samples using various instrumentation including TOC, flow injection analyzers, elemental analyzers, fluorometers, and other instrumentation.
• Data Compilation and Analysis: Process and analyze data using a variety of applications.
• Environmental Monitoring: Assist local community science groups and the MWQL staff in collecting water quality samples.
• Collaboration: Opportunities exist to work with other segments of the Brady group when field assistance is needed.
Qualifications:
• Current enrollment in a relevant undergraduate program (e.g. marine biology, environmental science, biology).
• Ability to work in a laboratory environment in a safe, consistent, and conscientious manner.
• Ability to concentrate on the task at hand and focus on learning new skills.
• Attention to detail, ability to organize work tasks, and flexibility.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Cooperative and positive attitude.
Benefits:
• Gain experience in a State accredited laboratory.
• Learn analytical protocols as well as experience with quality control and quality assurance programs.
• Gain practical hands-on experience with instrumentation and laboratory equipment.
• Become familiar with field sample collection.
• Develop practical skills in data collection and organization, data analysis, and environmental monitoring.
• Involvement and experience with community science organizations.
• Contribute to meaningful environmental monitoring and research.
Logistics:
Duration: This internship position is available for mid-May to mid-August 2025 with the potential to extend into the Fall 2025 semester for UMaine Semester by the Sea students.
Location: Darling Marine Center, Walpole, Maine, UMaine’s Marine Science campus. Housing will be provided contingent on availability.
Compensation: $15.80/hour; 40 hours per week
How to apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume, unofficial transcript, a short cover letter, and a writing sample (coursework works) to Kathleen Thornton (kthornton@maine.edu). Please include “MWQL Internship” in the subject line.
Application deadline: February 15, 2025
The Darling Marine Center is located on the Damariscotta Estuary. This is an opportunity to spend your summer on the coast of Maine, learn practical professional skills, and contribute to ongoing environmental monitoring efforts.