These opportunities are curated through the UF TESI Environmental Leaders Network. Opportunities posted through the Network may not be affiliated with the Florida Museum or TESI, but are shared with UF undergraduate students who want to learn more about environmental research, education and outreach, and civic engagement. Please reach out directly to opportunity sponsors with any questions about their offerings. 

UF/IFAS CAIP Communications Internship

Gainesville, FL — Paid — No application deadline listed.

The UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive plants is seeking an undergraduate or graduate intern for the 2026 Spring semester. The internship will be 10-20 hours a week at $15/hour. The overall responsibilities will be recording and editing videos, designing print layouts, and writing blogs.

St. Johns River Water Management District Internship

Palatka, FL — Paid — Apply by December 4

The intern will be responsible for analyzing change in coastal habitat cover across the northern coastal basin, expanding the District’s knowledge of how these changes may relate to water quality trends.

Ecology Education Intern

Millbrook, NY — Paid — Apply by December 5

Are you passionate about ecology and education? Join the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies’ education team for a 6-month paid internship (January–June) and work directly to foster ecological literacy in K–12 students. You’ll lead field trips, co-develop ecology lessons, support a virtual data literacy competition, and participate in professional learning opportunities.

Community Science Educator

Townsend, TN — Paid — Apply by January 30

The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is seeking passionate science educators to join our team. Community Science Educators play a crucial role in cultivating a science identity among campers and colleagues, working to demystify the study and exploration of nature by creating accessible pathways into science that are fun, engaging and welcoming.

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey Education Intern

Maitland, FL — Paid — No application deadline listed.

The intern will be leading programming that focuses on bird conservation and protecting habitat for birds to participants of all ages. With spring and early summer being the busiest times for the Center’s Education department, the intern will gain experience in organizing fundraisers, special educational events, and summer camp lessons.

Summer 2026 Future Foresters Apprenticeship

Danby, VT — Paid — Apply by December 11

The Future Foresters Apprenticeship (FFA) will provide passionate young forestry professionals with an opportunity to build their skills and expand their knowledge in the beautiful real-world setting that is Smokey House’s 5,000 acre property. Participants will spend 10 weeks working and learning in a diversity of forested settings across the property.

Land Conservation Member – Disney Wilderness Preserve

Poinciana, FL — Paid — Apply by December 13

The American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), is seeking one (1) Land Conservation Member to contribute to invasive species projects alongside TNC Staff.

Paid Reptile Research Internship — Python Telemetry Fieldwork

Big Cypress National Preserve (Ochopee, Florida) — Paid — Apply by December 15

We are accepting applications for several research interns to join our team conducting research on invasive reptiles (chiefly Burmese pythons) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. The primary study area is currently Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY) but may involve some travel and work in other areas (e.g., Everglades National Park). Intern positions primarily entail careful data collection while radio-tracking pythons throughout dense BICY jungle habitats. There will also be laboratory work, data management, and other miscellaneous activities. Research internships are 12-month positions starting January 2026.

M.S. or Ph.D. Assistantship in Sponge Restoration and Biogeochemistry

Homestead, FL — Paid — Apply by December 5

A M.S. or Ph.D. Research Assistantship is available at The University of Florida in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment to study how sponges contribute to water quality improvement in the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay. The student will be co-advised by Drs. Ashley Smyth and Joshua Patterson and based at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, FL

M.S. or Ph.D. Assistantship in Coastal Ecology and Biogeochemistry

Homestead, FL — Paid — Apply by January 1

A M.S. or Ph.D. Research Assistantship at The University of Florida in the Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences Department is available to study nitrogen biogeochemistry at clam–seagrass co-restoration sites along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The student will be co-advised by Drs. Ashley Smyth and Laura Reynolds.The student will join an interdisciplinary project with a team of graduate students and PIs to better understand linkages between seagrass and shellfish restoration and nitrogen biogeochemistry. Students will also work closely with the Gulf Shellfish Institute’s research and education team and have opportunities to participate in outreach activities.

Tall Timbers – Avian Research Technician

Tallahassee, FL — Paid — Apply by December 4

The Stoddard Bird Lab of Tall Timbers Research Station is recruiting a Research Technician to assist in Bachman Sparrow and Henslow’s Sparrow research at sites across the Red Hills Region of Florida and Georgia and Nokuse Plantation. The research will investigate nonbreeding and early breeding season space use in pine savanna ecosystems. The incumbent will be supervised by Dr. Kate Richardson and work closely with other technicians and volunteers. The position is funded for 4 months, with additional support possible based on performance and funding availability for black rail surveys. On-site shared housing is available at no cost.

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Avian Field Technicians

Kenansville, FL — Paid — Apply by December 12

Three experienced seasonal field technicians are needed to conduct demographic monitoring research and nest protection of the critically endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Technicians will assist with the collection of important breeding season data on the largest population of this rapidly declining grassland bird endemic to Florida. These positions are an exciting opportunity to protect and conserve one of the most threatened birds in the United States while contributing to a large-scale demographic research project.

Graduate Research Assistant – Environmental Dynamics

Fayetteville, AK — Paid — Apply by January 15

Dr. Kusum Naithani of the University of Arkansas Environmental Dynamics program is seeking a doctoral-level Graduate Research Assistant to study the intersecJon of waterfowl movement ecology and landscape dynamics using a rich GPS-telemetry dataset on mallards. The student will develop independent research aligned with their expertise and interests.

Master’s Assistantship: Animal Behavior and Welfare at the North Carolina Zoo

Asheboro, NC — Paid — Apply by January 1

North Carolina State University (NC State) is offering a 2-year, funded graduate position to students interested in animal behavior research. The student will receive a Master of Science degree in Biology as they complete coursework at NC State-Raleigh and a research project in collaboration with the North Carolina Zoo animals and staff. Tuition and health insurance will be covered for eligible students, and the student will serve as a teaching assistant for each academic semester of the 2 years. Students will work closely with PhD-level curatorial staff at the North Carolina Zoo as they design and conduct research, which may address a range of welfare-related topics, including but not limited to: enrichment, social behavior, space use, light cycles, diet, and seasonal or habitat changes.