Conservation Research Intern

Join AMSEAS conservation efforts through a Conservation Research Internship. Conduct beach monitoring events including beach cleanups, cold-stunned sea turtle monitoring, and pinniped (seal) surveys. Work with historic data to help bring a better understanding of the animals and debris found within Long Island's marine habitats. 

Specific projects include but are not limited to:

• Pinniped Population Documentation: Work with the team to conduct boat and land-based seal surveys. Observe and record environmental conditions and animals sighted. Take photographs to identify any animals sighted down to the species level.
• GIS/Database Management: Develop a database for storing stranding, survey, and satellite tracking data. Map strandings in real-time for monthly stranding trend reviews and provide the team with regular updates. Map satellite tagged animals and input data from tags into the database.
• Wild Population Surveys: Work with biologists on data collected from aerial, land, and boat-based surveys. Maintain data entry for these surveys, learn about conducting and leading each type of survey, and analyze photographs collected from surveys to count animals and identify natural or human-caused injuries.
• Marine Debris Documentation: Lead two beach cleanups activities per week (one north shore beach and one south shore beach). Educate the public about the dangers of marine debris and review proper data collection techniques. Collect and record data at the cleanups to be compiled for analysis of the amount of debris collected at each location and the difference in items collected between various sites. Create marine debris content to be used on the AMSEAS website and social media platforms.

Our objectives are to train students to successfully monitor the beaches of our local marine environment and collect data to help gain a better understanding of these individual landscapes and their marine inhabitants. Students will also receive training in what to do during marine mammal and sea turtle sightings and strandings. This internship will provide students with firsthand knowledge of the impacts of marine debris on our environment, foster the skills to make quantitative and qualitative analyses of the marine debris specific to individual beaches, and provide experience with inspiring our communities to make a positive impact on the environment. 

All internships must be completed for course credit. Interns will be asked to complete a final research project highlighting the skills they have learned and exploring more deeply an aspect of AMSEAS research. 

See application instructions at www.amseas.org/internships. Applications received only through Handshake will not be considered.

Applications for Summer 2026 Internships are due March 1st.