Agency Sponsor: Cynthia Kern, cynthia.kern@noaa.gov
If interested, email agency sponsor. This is an unpaid internship.
# of Interns:
- Winter 2026: Sponsoring 10-12 interns enrolling in ENVS 84 or 83
- Spring 2026: Sponsoring 10-12 interns enrolling in ENVS 84 or 83
Agency Description:
Winter and spring quarter internships are available to work with the IMS-Fisheries Collaborative Program in coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Santa Cruz. Students will play a key role in conducting ecological research on endangered coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and threatened steelhead/rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Interns’ time will be spent assisting researchers at the Life cycle Monitoring Station where adult and juvenile salmonids are trapped, tagged, and processed.
Intern Responsibilities:
The field internship takes place at the Scott Creek Life Cycle Monitoring Station and focuses on stock assessment of ESA-listed coastal salmonids. Interns’ time will be spent assisting researchers at the Life cycle Monitoring Station where adult and juvenile salmonids are trapped, tagged, and processed. The interns’ role is to check traps in the morning, help take all the biological measurements of both adult and juvenile salmonids, and record the data both electronically and on physical datasheets. Metrics recorded include, species ID, weight, length, tissue samples, and life stage.
Other Requirements:
Must commit to 2 days a week from 8:45am to possibly 1:30pm (depending on the # of fish). Must be motivated, enthusiastic, and work well with a team. Must pay close attention to detail in data collection.
Intern Shifts:
We require 2 days a week Monday-Sunday 8:45am to 12:00pm
Location:
On the UCSC Coastal Science Campus. 110 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA and Scott Creek off of Swanton Road
Key Words: Ecology/Natural History, Freshwater Systems, Water/Marine Systems