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INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Program
Description:
As part of its outreach and education role, the Marine
Resources Center (MRC) of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) has
established an internship program with positions available to college
students and recent college graduates. This is a one-semester program
that can take place during the spring, summer, or fall semester of
college. The program has recently expanded to accommodate recent
college graduates looking for a one-semester, six- month, or one-year
program prior to graduate school. Interns will gain hands-on experience
in aquatic animal care, husbandry, and culture. Qualifying interns will
learn new scientific methods and theory by participating in research
being conducted by one of the MRC's scientists. For detailed
descriptions of current research projects see below.
Examples of current and past research projects include: population
genetic studies using RAPD-PCR and microsatellites; stock assessments
using DNA fingerprinting; mating systems in zebrafish; molecular
analysis of growth factors in aquatic organisms; analysis and
quantification of cephalopod behavior; and exploring microscopic
anatomy of various organ systems in molluscs and other invertebrates.
To qualify for this internship program, a completed application (link
above) must be submitted and a personal interview is required.
The application deadline for summer
internships is February 1st; all applications will be
reviewed jointly at that time. Generally, interviews for summer
positions are
conducted during spring break in March/April and letters of commitment
are provided to
successful candidates shortly thereafter. The summer session typically
starts on the first Monday in June and ends just prior to Labor Day.
Application deadlines for the other semesters are rolling, with
suggested dates of June 1st for the fall program and September 1st for
the Winter/Spring program.
Interns must provide their
own housing and transportation while participating in the program.
There is no monetary compensation for participants in this program;
however, many interns find part-time jobs in the area. The MRC will
cooperate fully with colleges and universities to obtain course credit
for each student if desired.
Interns are expected to participate in the program for 40 hours per
week or as noted in individual project descriptions. Daily duties
include preparing animals' diets, feeding animals, maintaining water
quality in aquaria and holding tanks, recording animal health and water
quality data in logbooks, and routine cleaning and upkeep of equipment
and husbandry areas. Opportunities exist for interns to observe and/or
participate in laboratory procedures and animal necropsies, and to
learn about the mechanical aspects of large and small water filtration
and sterilization systems.
Detailed
descriptions of current research projects.
Documents are in PDF format and require Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view.
Interns
in
the
MRC
Program
may:
1) Assist culturing live food sources
Brine shrimp culture:
- Learn methodology for mixing artificial sea salts
- Learn production scheduling for cultured species
- Investigate methods to enhance nutritional value of
nauplii
Algae culture:
- Use sterile technique to inoculate cultures
- Learn to quantify and maintain live cultures of
microalgae
2) Learn to perform basic water quality tests and
manipulate various parameters required to keep aquatic species healthy
- Assist collecting water-quality data to evaluate the
health of both marine and freshwater biofilters and systems
3) Learn to operate seawater filtration systems
- Calculate ozone dosages for seawater sterilization
- Operate and maintain rapid-rate sandfilters
4) Maintenance of tanks and specimen holding environs
- Learn proper cleaning techniques for tanks and
aquaria
- Learn disinfection methods
- Quarantine sick and/or diseased animals
5) Assist MBL investigators and veterinary staff
with
treatment protocols and necropsy
- Learn dissection techniques
- Learn to administer medications
6) Help MBL investigators collect and collate
experimental data
- Conduct video analysis of animal behavioral
experiments
- Assist researchers with field and laboratory sampling
to assess shellfish growth and health
Housing and
Transportation:
Contacts:
Barbara Burbank, Program Administrator
bburbank@mbl.edu
508.289.7700
or
Janice Simmons, Internship Coordinator
jsimmons@mbl.edu
508.289.7458
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