Internship: Right Whale Ecology Program (RWEP) - Habitat

Coastal Studies; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 13,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Job summary

Coastal Studies seeks a Right Whale Ecology Program (RWEP) Habitat Intern to assist in monitoring the North Atlantic right whale in Cape Cod Bay and adjacent Massachusetts waters.

The role involves fieldwork as a marine observer, zooplankton analysis, data entry, and supporting the RWEP marine ecologist with research duties including photo-id tasks.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in biological/ environmental sciences.
• Good memorization skills and strong attention to details.
• Basic computer literacy and experience using Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience working on boats and ability to withstand harsh elements for up to 10 hours at a time.
• Not prone to serious seasickness; able to work well in a team.

Responsibilities

• Identify marine mammals and collect behavioral, environmental, and sightings data.
• Zooplankton collection and identification; archiving samples; data entry.
• Maintain field equipment and assist in photo-analysis as needed.
• Office tasks include database entry and documentation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Memorization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biological/environmental sciences

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Right Whale Ecology Program (RWEP) Habitat Intern

Reports to: RWEP Marine Ecologist

Job Classification: Seasonal Intern

Pay: $15/hour; housing provided

Hours: An average of 40 hours/week; including weekends and holidays as fieldwork requires

Term: January 04, 2027 through May 28, 2027

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Application Deadline: September 28, 2026 by 5pm

Job Summary: The RWEP conducts long-term monitoring of North Atlantic right whale abundance, distribution, behavior, and prey in Cape Cod Bay and adjacent Massachusetts waters. The habitat intern will participate in research cruises as a marine observer, working alongside the photo-id intern and assisting the RWEP marine ecologist in zooplankton and environmental data collections. Lab responsibilities include zooplankton species identification and counts, archiving samples, data entry, and maintaining field equipment. Office responsibilities include database entry and may also assist in photo-analysis (matching right whale individuals to known animals using an online and in-house catalog).

Essential Duties:

• Identification of marine mammals


• Collecting behavioral, environmental, and sightings data (other species, vessels, marine debris, and fishing gear)

• Zooplankton collection and identification


• Database entry and maintenance


• Maintaining vessel field equipment

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in biological/ environmental sciences


• Good memorization skills and strong attention to details


• Basic computer literacy and experience using Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)


• Experience working on boats, ability to withstand harsh elements for up to 10 hours at a time


• Not prone to serious seasickness
  
• Must be able to live and work well in a team


• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab-based research methods


• Ability to work well under pressure.

Preferred Requirements:

• Plankton identification


• Microscopy experience


• Marine observer experience


• Not prone to seasickness


• A valid US driver’s license

The successful applicant will be required to work a minimum of four to five full days per week and will need to be flexible for research cruises due to weather contraints. The intern will often process zooplankton samples independently in the lab, thus responsible, detail-oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be available for the full five months and must be willing to work weekends, holidays and evenings as needed. International applicants must secure their own visas or other required documentation.

The RWEP has a long history of conservation and research work with the North Atlantic right whale. Cape Cod Bay has been a major critical habitat for around 50% of the estimated population in recent years. This internship will afford the successful applicant an invaluable opportunity to work within a well-established institution, with highly-qualified scientists, and to gain experience in photo-identification, behavioral observation and analysis, and data processing of one of the world’s most endangered cetaceans. Details of our work can be found on our website: http://coastalstudies.org/right-whale-research/