Profiling Float Internship

The University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center is seeking one undergraduate intern to join a multi-institutional, NSF-funded project investigating the role of the North Atlantic spring bloom in ocean carbon sequestration.  The successful candidate will conduct research under the supervision of Dr. Meg Estapa (UMaine-DMC) and collaborators at other institutions (WHOI, MBARI, NASA, and NOAA PMEL).  The internship is for 6-8 weeks at 40 hours per week, with the exact length and starting and ending dates to be negotiated with the successful candidate.

The intern will work with data from an array of robotic profiling floats that measure biological carbon fluxes in the North Atlantic Ocean.  Possible project emphases could include sensor calibration, testing different net primary production and carbon export models, or comparing observations from profiling floats to co-located satellite observations.  The intern will gain experience with applied scientific programming, learn about cutting edge research techniques using autonomous observations, and interact with student and faculty collaborators at other institutions.

Requirements:  

This position requires an introductory-level familiarity with Matlab or Python programming, and a strong interest in ocean nutrient and carbon cycles.  Both of these requirements can be demonstrated through appropriate college-level coursework in oceanography and in scientific programming, or through prior research or independent study.  Preference will be given to University of Maine Marine Science majors who are interested in continuing the research as a senior capstone project, and whose prior coursework required them to write their own, original Matlab or Python code.  Competitive candidates should be comfortable working independently and as part of a team.  

Compensation:  

A stipend of $600 per week and housing at the DMC will be provided.  Housing at the DMC is equivalent to $193/week of compensation.  The internship is contingent on funding availability.

Applications will be reviewed in March.  To apply, please send a cover letter, unofficial course transcript, and the names of three references to Dr. Meg Estapa (margaret.estapa@maine.edu) with “DMC profiling float internship” in the subject line.  Your cover letter, transcript, and references should address the specific qualifications listed above under “Requirements”.  

 

The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).