Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Steidinger Scholar Intern, Center for Conservation Social Science Research/Freshwater Fisheries
The Steidinger Scholars program was established in honor of Dr. Karen Steidinger, a world-renowned pioneering woman in harmful algal bloom research and a formative figure in the history of FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). Dr. Steidinger’s career includes numerous significant contributions to dinoflagellate research, which have been acknowledged by her peers through the naming of the organism that causes red tides in Florida, Karenia brevis, after her.
The goal of the Steidinger Scholars program is to inspire students to explore careers in fisheries and wildlife research through experiential learning. Successful applicants participate in 3-month long part- to full-time paid internships during summer, fall or winter terms. Mentored by FWRI scientists, future investigators work on a variety of projects that inform the protection, conservation, and management of Florida’s fish and wildlife resources.
The program is open to all recent high school graduates or new college students (years 1-2) of all genders from all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Successful candidates will have the ability to work in a team environment, adapt to changing work environments and priorities, and work in a range of settings including office, laboratory and outdoors in all weather conditions.
Duties/tasks are position specific to the opportunity but include:
- Direct project activities such as training in and assisting with field and laboratory duties to ongoing research and management projects and programs
- Shadowing staff and researchers in a variety of research areas
- Participating in training, workshops, and other education and career development planning activities
- Presenting on the experience
Qualifications:
- A recent or expected high school graduate, or 1-2 year college student; must be 18 years of age or older by the start of the internship
- Willingness to learn
- Good interpersonal and organizational skills
- Good written and oral communication
- A passion for and interest in science. Prior learning or experience is not required.
Women and students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.
Center for Conservation Social Science Research/Freshwater Fisheries – Gainesville
Opportunity #: FWRI SS-SU23-01
This is a great opportunity for a student interested in learning about freshwater fish, freshwater mussels, field techniques for collecting research and monitoring data, social science, and the overall purpose of fish and wildlife conservation. Interns will be paired with researchers to learn about the human dimension aspects of fisheries science, sample freshwater fish and mussel communities using a variety of gears, participate in post-sampling lab work, and assist with data entry. Participants will be exposed to a wide range of freshwater research and monitoring projects being conducted in north-central Florida.
Tasks: Specific job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Sample freshwater fish using a variety of methods including electrofishing, trawling, and seining
- Identify and age freshwater fish
- Map aquatic plants from freshwater lakes in north-central Florida
- Participate in trophy bass research and monitoring
- Sample freshwater mussels
- Assist with non-native species surveys
- Trailer and operate boats (*requires valid driver’s license)
- Assist with human dimensions data collection, such as through surveys or interviews
Dates: Start and End Dates negotiable
Supervisors: Variety of projects with several mentors
Hours: Part-time opportunity (average 20 hours per week)