Undergraduate Internships

Current Opportunities

ShoreRivers Summer Internship 2025

Overview. ShoreRivers seeks applicants for an exciting, hands-on summer internship experience in the environmental field, based in the Chester and Sassafras watersheds. This internship program is provided through a partnership with the Delaware Environmental Institute at the University of Delaware. ShoreRivers is a nonprofit organization that protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. With offices in Easton, Chestertown, and Galena Maryland, the organization serves as an advocate for the health of our rivers and the living resources they support. Our programs promote environmental awareness of the essential role local rivers and streams play in the community, the issues that threaten their health and vitality, and solutions that must be implemented to preserve them.

The summer intern will provide programmatic support for our Chester River and Sassafras River programs and participate in a variety of activities including restoration, water quality monitoring, outreach, education, and enforcement. By the end of the program the intern will have completed a Maryland boater safety certificate, become familiar with handling a boat, gained experience and training in scientific water quality monitoring equipment and protocols, and developed a variety of other skills and experiences.

Program Logistics.

Location: This internship is based in the Chestertown and Galena offices, with fieldwork across the Chester and Sassafras watersheds, and occasional travel throughout the ShoreRivers region

Dates: Minimum of 10 weeks between May and August; start and end dates and vacation days are flexible

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30; with occasional evening and weekend work

Stipend: $6,000 provided by University of Delaware through the Carski-Ruhl Giving Fund

Housing: Paid housing is available at Washington College Student Housing if needed

Program Requirements.

• Outgoing personality with good communication skills. Must be able to work with a team, but also be self-motivated in individual tasks.
• Able to lift at least 50 lbs, swim, feel comfortable on boats and kayaks, and do physical outdoor activity in various weather conditions.
• Willing to work a flexible 40-hour schedule with some evening and weekend hours.
• Rising college junior or senior, or recent college graduate. Degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field encouraged.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software.
• Must have a driver’s license.

Intern Responsibilities.

• Obtain a Maryland boater safety certificate
• Tidal water quality monitoring by boat with Riverkeepers
• Water Chestnut eradication work on the Sassafras
• Bacteria sampling at local swim sites
• Submerged aquatic underwater grass monitoring by kayak
• Co-leading community kayak tours
• Community outreach and events
• Agricultural site visits and project monitoring
• Boat and water quality equipment maintenance

Application Process

Applicants should apply through Talentlink no later than February 28, 2025. Before applying, please visit ShoreRivers.org to learn more about our organization and our programs.

Interviews will be conducted by Zoom in and an intern will be selected and notified no later than March 21, 2025.

2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Interns

Application Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2025

Overview: The Coastal Critical Zone Network is an interdisciplinary team project researching the effects of changing climate and sea level rise on the Delmarva Peninsula, which includes Delaware and parts of Maryland and Virginia. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation, a prestigious, taxpayer-supported federal science agency. The Critical Zone team is inviting applications for paid undergraduate research internships for summer 2025; interns will be part of sub-teams in hydrology, biogeochemistry or ecology research. Research will involve mostly outdoor field work and/or lab and computational efforts. We seek a diverse group of undergraduate students to join our team in a welcoming, collaborative environment.

Each 10-week internship provides a $6,000 stipend, with additional funds available for housing. 

Project Descriptions: There are eight internship positions available in 2025, working on four different projects. Click on the title of the project to download a complete project description. 

• Plant ecology and physiology in salt-affected forests, led by Dr. Keryn Gedan at George Washington University, Washington DC. 
• Sea-level driven transformations of coastal vegetation and soils, led by Dr. Matt Kirwan at Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA
• Biogeochemistry of transitioning lands, led by Dr. Kate Tully at University of Maryland, College Park, MD
• Geotechnical characterization of salt marshes, led by Dr. Claudia Zoccarato at University of Delaware, Newark, DE

How to Apply: To complete this application, you will need to upload a resume, academic transcripts, one letter of recommendation, and two short essays. Applications should be submitted through THIS FORM by February 27, 2025.