Research and Innovation Year-Round Internship

Great Lakes Water Authority; United States; On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Team member discounts

Retirement plan

457 plan for part-time

Job summary

Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is seeking an undergraduate or graduate student to support an applied drinking water research project. The role focuses on understanding and optimizing treatment strategies to reduce disinfection by-products and improve biological stability in drinking water systems.

You will gain hands-on experience with water quality monitoring, analytical methods, pilot testing, and data analysis while working with experienced water professionals across treatment plants and

Qualifications

• Applicants must be current undergraduate or graduate students in science or engineering.
• Laboratory environment experience is preferred.
• Must be able to work independently and in a team.
• Strong data analysis and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Collect water samples from treatment plants, source water, and distribution system.
• Conduct field and bench-scale tests (pH, alkalinity, TOC, UV absorbance).
• Perform DOC and turbidity measurements; assist with lab prep and method development.
• Analyze data and create visualizations to support findings.
• Maintain accurate records and support project reporting.

Skills

Laboratory work

Data analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

Undergraduate or graduate student in science/engineering

Tools

UV-Vis spectroscopy

TOC analysis

pH measurement

Alkalinity measurement

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC)

Turbidity measurement

Job description

Compensation $17.55 - $17.55 (Based on Experience)

Summary

One Water, One Team

When you work at Great Lakes Water Authority, you make a difference in the environment and in your local community. “One water, one team” is more than just a phrase, it’s a way of doing business. Here, you don’t work for GLWA, you work with GLWA. We are racing toward a shared goal to become the region’s most-trusted, high-quality water and wastewater resource.

About the Role

GLWA’s Research & Innovation team is seeking a motivated undergraduate or graduate student to support an applied drinking water research project focused on understanding and optimizing treatment strategies to reduce disinfection by product formation and improve biological stability in drinking water distribution systems. The intern will work alongside experienced water professionals, gaining hands‑on experience with water quality monitoring, analytical methods, pilot testing, and data analysis.

Project Description

The goal of this project is to characterize total organic carbon (TOC) in GLWA’s drinking water sources and evaluate how source water conditions and treatment strategies influence the formation of disinfection by‑products (DBPs). The intern will contribute to developing approaches that enhance drinking water quality and operational resilience across treatment plants and distribution systems.

Job Responsibilities

• Collect water samples from targeted locations across treatment plants, source water, and distribution system.
• Conduct field and bench‑scale water quality tests, including: pH and alkalinity
• Ultraviolet absorbance spectroscopy
• Dissolved organic carbon
• Turbidity
• Assist with laboratory sample preparation and method development.
• Perform statistical analysis and create data visualizations to support research findings.
• Maintain detailed records, document test results, and support research reporting.

Ability to:

• Work in a laboratory environment
• Organize work to meet tight deadlines
• Maintain effective working relationships with others
• Effectively utilize appropriate security and safety equipment and procedures
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Understand and follow verbal and written instructions
• Communicate frequently with team members and team leaders

Required Education and Experience

• At the time of application, applicant must; Undergraduate or graduate student preferably in the fields of science and engineering Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory environment

Preferred Experience

Any previous experience in laboratory and data analysis is a plus.

Other Requirements

• Valid Driver’s License.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment. This includes health, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement, and team member discount programs.
• Retirement and Retirement Health Savings are effective the first day of employment.
• Note: Part-Time employment is not eligible for health benefits, however, is eligible to participate in the 457 Retirement Plan.

GLWA is an equal opportunity employer.