The UF/IFAS NCBS summer internship program is intended to give undergraduate students at UF an opportunity for real-world, paid experience in research and/or extension activities. Selected students will work alongside practicing researchers and natural resource managers. Interns will participate in an orientation meeting with NCBS staff and hosts and a summer wrap-up event where interns will summarize their experiences with a short presentation.

Supervisor: Caleb Purtlebaugh – Research Administrator and Stephanie Winn – Intern Coordinator

Responsibilities: The intern will assist biologists in all aspects of the fisheries independent monitoring (FIM) program with an emphasis on conducting statistically valid research experiments and surveys in estuarine habitats to evaluate relative fish stock abundance, age composition, movement, growth, and condition. This will primarily include fieldwork deploying and retrieving gear, fish species identification, and data collection. Office work includes fish identification using microscopes and dichotomous keys, specimen work-up (otoliths, life history, diet, mercury samples), and data processing. Field and office work will be during weekdays.

Other Information: Personal transportation to the Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab in Cedar Key will be required, but not for travel related to fieldwork. We do provide field and safety gear. Housing is not provided.

Eligibility

• Currently enrolled University of Florida undergraduate student
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license
• Interest in marine fisheries and the ability to work in a team setting
• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs and work under adverse and strenuous conditions (e.g. inclement weather, rough seas, high temperatures, biting insects, and shoreline wading)
• This position will require that large fish and sting rays be safely handled
• The ability to work full-time with long field days is required.