Kelp Forest Ecology Research Internship

At Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission. We welcome people from all walks of life into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

Job Summary

California's iconic kelp forests are highly valued for their extraordinary biodiversity and the benefits they provide to people and nature. A combination of recent environmental and biological perturbations such as a marine heatwave, a catastrophic sea star die-off, and an outbreak of kelp-eating sea urchins decimated over 95 percent of kelp forests in northern California and nearly 80 percent along the central coast. Unfortunately, kelp deforestation is not unique to California and other places around the world are experiencing unprecedented declines. Monterey Bay Aquarium is committed to addressing this conservation threat through research to understand the problem, and through action to support solutions. This internship will directly contribute to ongoing research aimed at advancing our understanding of mechanisms of kelp forest recovery in California to inform climate-ready action and management planning in our state and beyond.

We seek enthusiastic and motivated individuals for one internship position. Interns selected for the position will assist primarily with laboratory assays but will also contribute to field observations through scientific scuba diving. The research will be conducted primarily along the Monterey Peninsula and in Carmel Bay, California, USA. Scuba diving is an essential function of this position. It is anticipated that the intern for this position will spend 70% of time in the laboratory and 30% in the field, although the arrangement will be determined based on summer field and research needs.

Core Responsibilities

General responsibilities include:

• Conduct laboratory assays, including sea urchin dissections.
• Perform data entry and quality control.
• Support the organization and coordination of logistics for day-to-day field activities.
• Maintain a functioning laboratory and adhere to laboratory safe operating procedures.
• Maintain scientific sampling equipment used in the laboratory.
• Participate in scuba-based data collection at depths less than 70 feet.
• Contribute to the development of technical reports.

A project-based report in the form of an oral presentation is required at the end of the internship.

Qualified applicants must be able to work in a team environment, as well as independently without direct supervision, and must have strong interpersonal communication and decision-making skills. Applicants should be comfortable in both a laboratory environment and with field-research that may include prolonged exposure to cold water and frequently adverse sea conditions.

This internship will run from February 2027 through July 2027, with exact dates being flexible.

Mandatory Requirements

• At least 18 years of age
• Current or recent student at an accredited college, university, tech, or trade school
  • Must be a student during the term immediately preceding the internship opportunity (not to exceed 1-year education gap)
• Must be in good academic standing
• Six-month commitment of 3 full days each week (no weekends) for approximately 24 hours/week
• Must have or obtain a valid California's driver's license within one month of starting the internship
• Current First Aid, CPR, and Oxygen Administration certification/training
• Minimum 60 logged dives in cold water (experience diving in kelp forests is preferred)
  • Experience diving from small boats is desired
• Knowledge of kelp forest taxonomy and species identification, specifically marine invertebrates and algae
• Selected applicants must provide a letter of reciprocity (LOR) from a participating AAUS institution certifying qualification as a Scientific Research Diver prior to employment

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

• Experience through coursework conducting research in a laboratory setting
• Nitrox certification is preferred
• Willingness to spend up to 8 hours at a time at sea in small boats conducting scientific diving operations
• Willingness to conduct 3 scientific dives in cold water (average water temperatures is 52 degrees F) per day
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and walk a short distance over hilly terrain
• Strong interest in marine ecology

• Detail-driven and highly organized, with proven ability to multitask, make effective decisions, and work independently with minimal oversight

• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work effectively with colleagues
• Familiarity with basic data management and analysis using R is a plus

Application Period

Applications are due by end of day November 20, 2026. Early submission of applications is encouraged. 

Application Documents to Upload:

• Resume/CV including courses and/or experience related to the position applying for
• Letter of interest (maximum 2 pages, 12 pt. font Times New Roman). Your letter of interest should include:
  • How your experience relates to the position
  • What you hope to gain from the placement
  • Your career goals
  • How your identity contributes to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusivity and/or accessibility in this field
• Letter of Reciprocity from Home Institution indicating active status as an AAUS Scientific Diver.
• Two Letters of Recommendation
  Letters should be uploaded with your application for your application to be considered complete.
  • Applicants applying to both this internship and the Kelp Forest Scientific Diving Internship only need to submit their letters once.

Your application will be considered complete only after all required materials, including two letters of recommendation, have been received. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Hourly rate: $18.00 USD