Specimen Information Services Collection Intern or Volunteer

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute's (FWRI) Specimen Information Services (SIS) section is seeking detail-oriented interns and volunteers to assist with FWRI's natural history collections during the fall, spring and summer semesters in St. Petersburg.  Internships are available for students who have at minimum completed their junior year of undergraduate training.  We also welcome graduates and graduate students.  Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

Successful candidates have the ability to work both independently and in groups.  The primary responsibilities for volunteers and interns include assisting staff in museum tasks such as specimen fixation, preservation and maintenance according to established protocols, data entry and report production, and taxonomic identification. Other tasks include supporting research groups at FWRI with voucher processing and reference collections, and may occasionally include field collections and/or development of educational materials.

In addition to the above duties, interns are expected to complete an independent research project.  Most interns research a specific phylogenetic group and produce a taxonomic key or detailed morphological descriptions report.  Interns are also required to submit a final manuscript and present a 15-20 minute seminar on their work.

College credit is possible. Check with your department advisor at your home institution.

Qualifications:

• Willingness to learn about and have an interest in museum protocols.
• Courses or experience in invertebrate zoology or ichthyology.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a group.
• Computer literacy preferred.

Application Process:
We are accepting applications for the spring/winter (January-May) summer (May-August) and fall (August-December) semesters.  Internships require a 12-16-week commitment. Starting and ending dates are flexible. Hours are somewhat flexible, but must include at least 12 hours per week in blocks of no less than 4 hours each. Please indicate in your cover letter the position for which you are applying. Send a hard copy of your résumé (curriculum vita) with your cover letter, college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable if not applying for internship credit), a list of three references, and your contact information to the following address:

Please send these five items to the following address:

Robin Allen - Internship Coordinator
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020

Or you may submit them as an e-mail attachment:
Robin Allen - Internship Coordinator
Interns@MyFWC.com

This intern position is open until filled.

All positions are unpaid. Housing and transportation are not provided.

For more information, please visit the Internships and Volunteers section.