If you are looking for an undergraduate internship, research experience, or postgrad job in the GES field, please feel free to peruse the job openings below! Some positions are local to Pittsburgh and to Pennsylvania, while other positions are available across the country and around the world. Note that this page is continuously updated, so please keep an eye out for new postings!
To view additional organizations and companies that may have internships available, please also see the major-specific pages of the Undergraduate Internship and Job Board.
- Undergraduate Summer Internships & Research Experiences
Organization Position Location Job Description Contact Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory Summer Internship Pittsburgh, PA The Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory (https://www.water.pitt.edu/) invites applications for a summer internship to support our research, outreach and education efforts. The position will involve working with community partners and attending events, as well as supporting research activities focusing on water quality, conventional and unconventional gas drilling waste, flooding, and urban soils. Additionally, interns may assist with planning PWC events and training opportunities. The position will be full-time (up to 37.5 hours per week), pays $15/hr, and runs from mid-May to mid-August.
Jon Burgess, jkburgess@pitt.edu R/V Langseth NSF-Funded Research Cruise Savannah, Georgia (departure); Charleston, South Carolina (return) We are excited to announce an Apply-To-Sail opportunity for US-based undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, and early-career scientists to participate in a marine geophysical research cruise in the western Atlantic Ocean aboard the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, scheduled for Summer 2026. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation and focused on understanding mantle dynamics during incipient seafloor spreading in the Atlantic Ocean after the breakup of Pangea. During the cruise, we will acquire active-source wide-angle Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) and Multi-Channel Seismic (MCS) data across 2D and 3D profiles in the western Atlantic Ocean offshore the Eastern North American Margin and south of Bermuda.
Participating early-career scientists will get hands-on experience in the acquisition, processing, and analysis of active-source OBS and MCS seismic data, as well as other marine geophysical tools, including multibeam bathymetry, CHIRP sub-bottom profiler, gravity, and magnetic data. Science party duties include helping with instrumentation deployment and recovery, watch-standing data collection, and assisting with preliminary analysis and interpretation of data. Other cruise activities will include reading and discussion of papers pertinent to the science goals of the experiment, and active training in geophysical data collection, processing, and interpretation methods/software.
To learn more and apply, please see the Apply-to-Sail: R/V Langseth Summer 2026 page.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026.
Brandon Shuck, bshuck@lsu.edu UpstreamPGH GIS Analyst Internship Pittsburgh, PA UpstreamPgh has three program areas: Advocate, Engage, and Plan/Build. The GIS
Analyst Intern will assist our Plan/Build Director with the development of a suitability
analysis of the Mon Water Project (MWP) service area within the City of Pittsburgh. The
GIS Analyst intern will work with the Plan/Build Director and Executive Director to
collect and analyze data, develop models using ModelBuilder in ArcGIS Pro and
develop a final StoryMap sharing results of the analysis with the public. The GIS
Analyst Intern will work closely with MWP staff and community members in the MWP
service area to inform the analysis and incorporate feedback.Note that this is a part-time paid internship (10 hours/week, $15/hour) running from April 2026 through February 2027.
For more information (including application instructions), please see the UpstreamPGH GIS Analyst Intern job description.
Aaron Birdy, Plan/Build Director, aaron@upstreampgh.org Carnegie Museum of Natural History Undergraduate Research Field Assistant Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve - Rector, PA Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve is Carnegie Museum of Natural History's research station and environmental education center, located approximately one hour southeast of Pittsburgh in the beautiful Laurel Highlands region. Powdermill encompasses 2200 acres where scientists conduct an array of biological research and where the public can enjoy miles of hiking trails, exhibits, and camps and classes. Carnegie Museums is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
The Rea Undergraduate Research Field Assistant II, Temporary assists with the development of conservation and disease ecology research at Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve. The intern will assist with beach leaf disease surveys and plant identification, aquatic vertebrate stream surveys, fish identification, dissection, parasite identification, data collection and establishment of a sunfish mark-recapture and parasite citizen science program and develop a short-term research project in one of the above areas.
To learn more and apply, please see the job posting: Undergraduate Research Field Assistant
Application Deadline: March 26, 2026
USAA Climate and Geoscience Intern San Antonio, Texas The Climate Risk and Exposure Analytics team is situated in the Actuary & Analytics group within USAA’s P&C business. The team works closely with the Catastrophe Risk Management team and seeks to develop the associations long term strategy under a changing climate.
The Intern role will support modeling linking cutting-edge weather modeling and climate science to business strategy. By applying insights from atmospheric-science and geospatial analysis the role delivers insight-to-action recommendations on how a changing climate will affect catastrophe losses and member resilience at USAA.
To learn more about this position, please see the Climate and Geoscience Intern job posting.
University of Pittsburgh Global Studies Center Resident Advisor (RA) Pittsburgh, PA Are you passionate about mentoring students, global issues, and creating meaningful learning communities?
The Global Studies Center is seeking Resident Advisors (RAs) to join our summer team and support a cohort of exceptional high school students (rising juniors and seniors) from across Pennsylvania during the 2026 Pennsylvania Governor's School for Global and International Studies. PGSGIS is an intensive, residential academic program that brings together motivated students for four weeks of global learning, inquiry, and community building. As an RA, you will play a central role in shaping students’ experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
To learn more and apply, please see the PGSIGS RA website. Rising undergraduate sophomores through graduate students are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: April 3, 2026
Veronica Dristas, Director of PGSGIS: dristas@pitt.edu Fox Chapel Borough Seasonal Parks Program Coordinator/Intern Fox Chapel, PA Fox Chapel Borough is situated on approximately 5,000 acres of wooded land North of the City of Pittsburgh. Borough Parks and public spaces comprise some 500 acres, or 10% of the Borough’s land area. The Borough’s Staff and Park Commission have identified the need for a Seasonal Parks Program Coordinator/Intern to conduct and/or assist with various Forestry, Environmental, Educational, and Volunteer Management activities. Many of these activities will entail teaming with members of the Park Commission.
To learn more about the position, please see the Seasonal Parks Coordinator Job Description. To apply, please see the application page.
Julie P. Bastianini. Fox Chapel Borough Manager: jbastianini@fox-chapel.pa.us Woodwell Climate Research Center Research Assistant Intern Fairbanks, Alaska Join Woodwell's Evolving Meta-Ecosystems (EVOME) Institute in the Alaskan Arctic as a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) student. EVOME explores adaptive responses of key organisms to climate change and their influence on cross-ecosystem function along a latitudinal gradient spanning south to north of the Brooks Mountains in Alaska.
The REU student will participate in interdisciplinary research and will complete a research project developed with their mentor related to EVOME’s science objectives, including spatial ecology, population structure and/or community dynamics in stream-riparian ecosystems. Fieldwork involves collection of ecological, genetic, and species trait data and samples across a broad latitudinal gradient and experiments in Arctic Alaska. The REU student will gain experience working with a multi-disciplinary team, including mentoring scientists and graduate students from the Woodwell Center, University of Connecticut, Columbia University, University of Alaska, University of Alabama and Macalester University.
The EVOME team is seeking students for each of five available research projects. To learn more about each project and to apply, please see the following link: EVOME Research Assistant Intern
Application review will be ongoing.
Please see the Woodwell, EVOME, and Toolik Field Station websites. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy - Plant Conservation Alliance Internships Pennsylvania The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy seeks interns for multiple summer positions. Please see below for GES-specific opportunities:
Watershed Conservation Internship
We are currently hiring an individual to fill the Watershed Conservation Intern position based out of Indiana, PA. The person in this position will work under the supervision of assigned Watershed Conservation staff in the summer of 2026 for approximately 12 weeks (500 hours). The function of this position is to assist with implementing a variety of watershed restoration projects and aquatic surveys, in close coordination with Watershed Conservation staff.
Position will be open until filled.
Botany Internship
We seek an individual to provide support for the Pennsylvania Plant Conservation Alliance’s conservation work surrounding several rare species. This is a 12-week part-time summer internship that will require some level of independent work. This person will be supervised by a WPC Senior Botanist but will work closely with the DCNR PPCA Coordinator on a daily basis. This position will be based in Harrisburg but will travel to various locations mostly in central and south-central Pennsylvania as needed.
Work will include monitoring rare plant populations, stewardship activities such as invasive species removal, and data management. Individuals will have the opportunity to analyze plant demographic data.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
For more information and to apply to either opportunity, please see the WPC Internships page.
*Please note: Please read the website carefully, as additional internships are also listed on this page.
wpcjobs@paconserve.org University of Michigan International Summer Research Opportunity Gabon, Africa Dr. Johannes Foufopoulos, of the University of Michigan, is looking for undergraduate students to join an interdisciplinary team of scientists doing research in Gabon (C. Africa) this coming summer (June-July 2026). His research focuses on interactions between past human settlements and diverse aspects of forest ecology. The project encompasses distinct foci in wildlife biology, botany, geosciences & GIS, environmental anthropology and archaeology. The NSF-sponsored fieldwork is conducted by an international team of faculty, researchers as well as American and Gabonese students in the rainforests of Gabon.
Program highlights include hands-on mentorship in archaeology, ethnobotany, environmental anthropology, geosciences, and wildlife biology; development of team research projects across multiple disciplines, and spending one month in Gabon working with Gabonese student counterparts and international mentors, and professional development workshops for career guidance and networking. Funding is provided by the National Science Foundation’s International Research Experiences for Students, including all travel and in-country expenses, as well as summer student stipend.
Pre-departure online classes include six+ weeks of French language preparation and core concepts of conservation sciences.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States
- Must currently be registered as an undergraduate or graduate student, with a minimum GPA of 2.5
- One semester of sophomore-level ecology, evolutionary biology, or relevant discipline (e.g. geosciences, anthropology, or environmental science)
- Preferably one semester of college-level French
- Hold or being willing to apply for a valid passport
Dr. Johannes Foufopoulos jfoufop@umich.edu Pennsylvania Sea Grant Undergraduate Summer Intern Harrisburg, PA Pennsylvania Sea Grant is excited to offer paid summer internship opportunities for undergraduate students seeking to gain experience in the areas of communications, education, outreach, and research. The experience will help prepare undergraduate students from all backgrounds for graduate school and careers in science, policy, management, and outreach focused on oceans, Great Lakes, and watersheds.
Review of applications will start January 21, 2026, and continue until the positions are filled. The positions will begin on or after June 1, 2026.
Successful candidates will be paid ~$17 per hour and be expected to work up to 40 hours per week for 9-10 weeks, from June to August. Interns should be able to work independently, with guidance from their supervisor. Interns should be located in Pennsylvania and able to travel to attend events and meetings in person. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in Pennsylvania Sea Grant staff meetings as well as other potential professional development and networking opportunities.
This opportunity is limited to undergraduate students currently enrolled in a U.S. institution of higher learning. Undergraduate students graduating in spring 2026 are eligible for the internship. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or be authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Graduate students are not eligible for this opportunity.
Position descriptions and steps for completing the application process are available online at https://seagrant.psu.edu/summer-internship/
Sarah Whitney, Pennsylvania Sea Grant Director: swhitney@psu.edu
Emails should include the subject line of “2026 Pennsylvania Sea Grant Summer Undergraduate Internship.”
- Undergraduate Summer Field Courses
Organization Position Location Job Description Contact University of Maine, Wrangell Mountains Field Studies Summer Academic Field Program McCarthy, Alaska The Wrangell Mountains Center is a non-profit research, humanities and education institute located in McCarthy in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. The Center hosts programs promoting understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the land and its communities.
Our curriculum explores landscape structure and processes, from tectonic uplift through glacial-interglacial cycles and anthropogenic climate change. We conceptualize climate-mediated changes to landscape structure as complex systems difficult to model or predict, linked by the flow of material and energy across wide temporal and spatial scales. Our focus includes local ecology, geophysical processes, glaciology, systems science, and land management (natural resource management and land use policy) in changing historical contexts. Narratives and stories from people with long-term and ancestral connections to these lands are an important part of the course, and are deeply impactful to students beginning research careers, and their lives, in the context of anthropogenic climate change.
To learn more about the program and to apply, please see the Wrangell Mountains Field Studies website.
Applications are currently open and will be considered on a rolling basis. Interviews are scheduled after applications are reviewed.
fieldstudies@wrangells.org University of Montana, Flathead Lake Biological Station Summer Academic Field Program Flathead Lake, Montana The Flathead Lake Biological Station summer academic program emphasizes experiential learning through field observation and hands-on use of advanced research instrumentation in our facilities on the east shore of Flathead Lake in northwest Montana, USA.
FLBS courses:
- Involve field trips throughout the Flathead watershed, including Glacier National Park
- Often include overnight camping
- May be taken for undergraduate (300/400 level) or graduate (400 level) credit basis
- Substitute for required or elective courses in many campus degree plans
To learn more, please see the program website: Flathead Lake Biological Station.
Complete applications will be reviewed in the order received. Applicants will be contacted regarding acceptance status within three weeks. Payment must be made by May 17, 2026, or your first choice of course selections will be given to waitlist applicants.
Flathead Lake Bio Station
flbs@flbs.umt.edu
(406) 872-4500- Undergraduate Fall/Spring Internships & Job Opportunities
Organization Position Location Job Description Contact UpstreamPGH GIS Analyst Internship Pittsburgh, PA UpstreamPgh has three program areas: Advocate, Engage, and Plan/Build. The GIS
Analyst Intern will assist our Plan/Build Director with the development of a suitability
analysis of the Mon Water Project (MWP) service area within the City of Pittsburgh. The
GIS Analyst intern will work with the Plan/Build Director and Executive Director to
collect and analyze data, develop models using ModelBuilder in ArcGIS Pro and
develop a final StoryMap sharing results of the analysis with the public. The GIS
Analyst Intern will work closely with MWP staff and community members in the MWP
service area to inform the analysis and incorporate feedback.Note that this is a part-time paid internship (10 hours/week, $15/hour) running from April 2026 through February 2027.
For more information (including application instructions), please see the UpstreamPGH GIS Analyst Intern job description.
Aaron Birdy, Plan/Build Director, aaron@upstreampgh.org University of Pittsburgh - Institute for Spatial History Innovation Student Worker Positions Pittsburgh, PA The Institute for Spatial History Innovation is hiring three undergraduate student workers for the spring term for the positions listed below. For position-specific information and to apply, please see the corresponding link:
ISHI@pitt.edu University of Oregon Research Opportunity Remote during the academic year, in-person (at respective mentor's institution) during the summer The GEI Twinning Program is a year-long research experience aimed at fostering participation of undergraduates from minoritized communities in subduction zone science and hazards research. Funding students to focus year-round on research differentiates our program from typical research internships and thus increases the likelihood of lasting student impact. Engagement in funded, mentored research experiences is directly tied to increased retention of underserved students in the STEM field. Because the program supports students year-round, students can focus on their research.
The focus of this program is a “twinning” model where the student participates in a research project involving more than one institution. The student is thus introduced to different mentors and a mode of scientific collaboration that closely mimics real-world experiences. Through experiential learning, undergraduate students gain valuable, high-impact research experience and build their oral and written scientific communication skills.
For more information and to apply, please see the GEI Twinning Program website.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2026, 11:59 PM PT.
Shannon Fasola, sfasola@uoregon.edu, GEI Program Manager University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, Elsie Hillman Civic Forum Internships & Fellowships Pittsburgh, PA The Elsie Hillman Civic Forum at the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics is excited to share that information is available regarding applications for their civic engagement programming for the 2026-2027 academic year! They have paid and unpaid opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.
Each program's application will open in Spring 2026: To learn more about each available internship, please see the institute's website: https://www.elsiehillmanforum.pitt.edu/student-civic-community-engagement-opportunities
iop@pitt.edu Additional jobs will be posted here as they become available!
- Post-BS/BA Opportunities
Organization Position Location Job Description Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Darrin Freshwater Institute Research Specialist Fredonia, NY Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Is seeking to hire a motivated full-time Research Specialist or Senior Research Specialist working on The Jefferson Project at Chautauqua Lake. The Jefferson Project was founded as a multi-disciplinary collaboration between RPI, IBM, and the Lake George Association. It expanded to Chautauqua Lake in 2020 with a partnership with the Chautauqua Institution. The Project emphasizes a sophisticated technological approach to studying freshwater and lakes, in particular. A central goal of the Project is to understand the impact of human activity on freshwater and how to mitigate those effects.
Please see the following resources:
One Health WV Postbacc Research Program Morgantown, WV; Institute, WV; or Huntington, WV One Health WV is now recruiting recent BA/BS graduates interested in training to work in STEM fields at the intersection of human, animal, & environmental health.
One Health WV is a National Science Foundation funded initiative to recruit recent graduates, connect them with STEM research mentors, and prepare them for STEM careers in West Virginia and Central Appalachia.
Our project mentors carry out research that embraces three core One Health themes: Water Use & Quality; Environmental Contamination; and Biological Correlates of Disease. Mentors are located at Marshall University, West Virginia State University, and West Virginia University. Ten recent graduates are being recruited to work with mentors on year-long projects designed to train them for employment in STEM fields. No previous research experience is necessary.
To learn more and apply, please see the following link: https://www.OneHealthWV.com/
Application Deadline: March 14th, 2026
Georgia Southern University: Department of Biology Postbacc Fellowship Statesboro, Georgia The Mentoring and Research for Careers in Coastal Sciences (MROC2S) Program at Georgia Southern University is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for our 2025-2026 cohort! MROC2S is a part of the National Science Foundation’s Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates (RaMP) initiative which aims to develop the next generation of researchers through experience-based learning. Selected applicants will join a cohort of ten fellows for a yearlong funded research and mentoring program in the Department of Biology at Georgia Southern. Fellows will conduct independent research in coastal science under a program faculty mentor. Fellows will additionally be exposed to a variety of techniques, concepts, and career pathways through seminars, workshops, and field trips in association with the program’s partners. Research topics include climate change effects in coastal habitats, fisheries biology, aquatic ecology, entomology, scientific communication, and more!
For more information and to apply, please see the program website: https://sites.google.com/georgiasouthern.edu/mroc2s-ramp/home
Application Deadline: April 1, 2026.