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Students interested in placement through the general internship program are encouraged to contact the project sponsor directly using the contact information (phone and e-mail) provided to discuss details, availability, and potential placement.
Please note, there is no formal application review or notification schedule.
Only students selected for placement will be contacted.
Archives
PROJECT TITLE: 200 years of worm records
DESCRIPTION: This project involves the combined reprint collections from the former Division of Worms library, and curatorial reprint collections belonging to Drs. Meredith Jones, Marian Pettibone, and Kristian Fauchald. The reprints are housed in the National Museum of Natural History, 3rd floor West Research Wing. These papers in large part deal with polychaete worms but also include more general papers on ecology, experimental biology, marine biology and cladistics. The first part of the project involves comparing the reprints with the records in the existing EndNote “SI WORM Bibliography” file so that records may be corrected as needed, annotated to indicate we have a copy of the paper and to fill in any gaps in the bibliography. The second part of this project involves scanning some of the most delicate reprints in the collection to create digital copies that can be added to the bibliography. There are currently 22,554 records in the bibliography and 1529 digital copies of reprints attached to these records. The bibliography has been issued in various forms by Fauchald and Ward in 1990, 1997 and 2004. The intention is to make the latest EndNote file, along with the attached reprints available to attendees of the 11th International Polychaete Conference in Sydney, Australia this August. This effort makes available a treasure trove of difficult to find literature to the polychaete community and is and incredible resource to international research on polychaete worms.
QUALIFICATIONS: Familiarity with Endnote and Adobe Acrobat is desirable and great attention to detail is required. To apply, email your resume (including email contact information for at least 2 references) and a letter of introduction that briefly states 1.) why you are interested in this project, 2.) your future goals, and 3.) your proposed work schedule.
TIMETABLE: Summer only
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Karen Osborn
Phone: 202-633-3668
E-mail: osbornk@si.edu
Collections Management - Anthropological
PROJECT TITLE: Arctic Studies Center Public Programming
DESCRIPTION: The Arctic Studies Center (ASC), Alaska Office in Anchorage, Alaska is looking for students interested in an Anthropology-focused internship. Intern(s) will assist ASC staff on Native consultations at the "Living Our Cultures" exhibition. The intern(s) will assist with the study of Native culture and objects for consultation; prepare consultation materials; attend, assist and photo-document consultations; and transcribe and edit consultation discussions.
QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced undergraduate, recent graduate or graduate students. Experience and coursework in anthropology and Indigenous cultures required.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Dawn Biddison
Phone: 907-929-9208
E-mail: biddisond@si.edu
Collections Management - Biological
PROJECT TITLE: Bioinformatics, Assembling the Genome of a Box Jellyfish.
DESCRIPTION: Researchers in our multi-disciplinary research group are currently in the process of assembling short sequence reads of a box jellyfish genome that was sequenced using 454 and Solid Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platforms. We are looking for an intern to work with us on the initial genome assembly in the computer lab of NMNH’s newly renovated Laboratories of Analytic Biology (LAB), gaining experience in assembly software such as Velvet, Mira, AByss, Geneious, CLC Workbench, etc. Genomics has become a rapidly growing field in recent years and Next Generation Sequencing technologies have paved the way for relatively fast and inexpensive sequencing of whole genomes of a variety of organisms. However, in order for these huge generated data sets (starting at 1Gb for most eukaryote genomes) to be useful, these hundreds of thousands to millions of “raw” short reads (sequences) must first be aligned and assembled using various software programs.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants should have bioinformatics experience (classroom or practical), with some knowledge of programming, command line and script writing (e.g. knowledge of Perl, Python, or other computer languages is a bonus), and the ability to troubleshoot complex bioinformatics problems. Familiarity with principles of DNA molecular analysis is a definite plus. We are looking for serious applicants with good communications skills, dependability, professionalism; and who enjoy innovative quests. Applicants should send a CV and transcript (unofficial copy acceptable), and contact information for two references (academic or professional).
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Cheryl Lewis Ames or Allen Collins
Phone: 202-633-0645
E-mail: amesc at si.edu or collinsa at si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Curation of Freshwater Frey Cladoceran Collection
DESCRIPTION: Back in 1998, we received the worlds’ largest collection of unsorted plankton samples from freshwater lakes all around the world. These samples were collected by numerous scientific researchers over the last 100 years. As researchers passed on, they left their collections to the next generation of researchers, and eventually all collections ended up with David Frey. Dr. Frey in turn donated this entire collection and library to the Dept. of Invertebrate Zoology for use by researchers worldwide. This collection is preserved plankton samples, and are mostly in Formaldehyde 10 % solution or 70% alcohol. Many of these containers are beginning to dry out. All lots will need to have a glycerine and water mixture added to each sample to avoid desiccation of the sample. Also each container needs to be re-numbered and covered with Parafilm before replacing the lids of the containers. This will to help preserve this valuable collection and insure reduction in evaporation rates for the long term. This project will greatly improve both the accessibility and curatorial status of this important collection. Also his station data files need to be scanned and will be attached to our Smithsonian Specimen Collection, website to help researchers find data they need for their research. Work will be done at the Museum Support Center (MSC)
QUALIFICATIONS: Some experience with Microsoft Excel, invertebrate zoology, and use of scanners to convert paper data into electronic format.
TIMETABLE: Summer only
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Chad Walter
Phone: 301-238-1764
E-mail: walterc@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Documenting Historical Expeditions
DESCRIPTION: Many important historical journeys, expeditions and voyages produced botanical collections that were deposited in the U.S. National Herbarium of the National Museum of Natural History. In order to highlight these important events, one page websites are being produced that tell the story of these plant collecting activities. Interns will conduct original research into assigned expeditions and acquire information, obtain images and locate pertinent maps. Specimens that tie into the story will be located within the herbarium. Then interns will produce a carefully constructed one-page presentation of this information.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and possess good research abilities for tracking down information. To apply, email a letter of introduction, a resume, a writing sample, and a recommendation from an instructor who is familiar with your skills and work habits. Indicate your period of availability and maximum hours per week.
TIMETABLE:
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Rusty Russell
Phone: 202-633-0943
E-mail: russellr@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Gigapanning Parasitic Wasps
DESCRIPTION: Parasitic wasps are an incredibly diverse group of insects. Ranging in size from 1mm to 30mm, these stingless wasps parasitize a broad array of plant and animal hosts. The NMNH possesses one of the worlds foremost collections of these wasps, built over the past 150 years of taxonomic research. Curating these wasps is time-consuming and challenging and one way we are seeking to overcome these impediments is to use GigaPan technology. The Gigapan (http://gigapan.com) imaging system creates high-resolution, panoramic images of insect drawers. These drawer images will be posted online and annotated, after which they will be used for a variety of purposes: (1) linking to established database of types specimens such that a particular specimen may be located in the drawer in which it occurs by simple mouse click, (2) proof-of-concept cybertaxonomy projects involving taxon experts remotely curating the collection based on drawer images.
QUALIFICATIONS: Interest in Entomology. Interns will be trained in using the Gigapan rig, image annotation and upload, and linking to extant databases.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Mike Gates/Matt Buffington
Phone: (202) 633-4554/4552
E-mail: michael.gates@ars.usda.gov/matt.buffington@ars.usda.gov
PROJECT TITLE: Herbarium Curation - Filing Plant Specimens
DESCRIPTION: In this project interns will file mounted plant specimens into the U.S. National Herbarium collections. Precise organization is critical to the effective management of almost five million plant specimens that have collected around the world for more than 200 years. Herbarium specimens are generally mounted on 11x17 sheets of archival paper and filed according to a specific classification.
QUALIFICATIONS: The intern must be able to handle delicate specimens carefully, should have an appreciation of filing specimens properly, and should be interested in plant classification. The intern's knowledge of geography will improve by using references.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Debbie Bell
Phone: 202-633-0924
E-mail: belld@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Pan-Smithsonian Cryo-Initiative Collection Management project
DESCRIPTION: The Pan-Smithsonian Cryo-Initiative (PSCI) aims to provide for the fully-resourced care of the Smithsonian Institution's frozen biomaterial collections through collaborative management as well as increase online access to its collections via a Virtual Biorepository. Interns will draft collections management guideline for pan-Smithsonian cryo-collections (biobank) using existing collection management policies and industry best practices. Expected outcomes: experience in museum collection management policies and biodiversity collections management procedures.
QUALIFICATIONS: Experience or coursework related to archival standards and/or life sciences laboratory operations (preferred). Experience with museum collections management (optional)
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Piper Mullins
Phone: 202-633-4054
E-mail: mullinsp@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Preparing a List of Plant Species
DESCRIPTION: The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) calls for the conservation assessment of all known plant species by the year 2020. Specimen data from the U.S. National Herbarium is being used to conduct preliminary conservation assessments on select plant families and regions. The student intern will help prepare a list of plant species from the Caribbean Islands by inventorying plant specimens collected throughout this region over the past 200 years. The data from this inventory will be used to assess which native plant species are likely threatened and which are not threatened.
QUALIFICATIONS: Independent worker. Pays attention to detail.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Gary Krupnick
Phone: 202-633-0940
E-mail: krupnickg@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Systematic Revision and Identification Guide to Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)
DESCRIPTION: The intern(s) will be responsible for databasing primary Buprestidae (Agrilus) literature. Records will be reconciled with the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) to determine their availability in digital format. The candidate will scan reprints not yet available in electronic format. Results (database and pdf's) will be made available to the public through Encyclopedia of Life (EOL)/Lifedesks.
QUALIFICATIONS: Excellent hand/eye coordination. Ability to type. Attention to detail. Good organizational skills.
TIMETABLE:
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Maria Lourdes Chamorro
Phone: 202-633-1020
E-mail: chamorrom@si.edu
Education and Outreach
PROJECT TITLE: Arctic Studies Center Annual Newsletter
DESCRIPTION: Since 1993, the Arctic Studies Center (ASC) has produced an annual newsletter for donors, supporters and colleagues that reviews the Centers research initiatives, fieldwork, exhibits and publications. The newsletter is currently distributed to approx. 1500 subscribers, and is posted on the ASC website. We are looking for a student with an interest in circumpolar studies who can both assist in the production of the upcoming newsletter and more importantly, lead an effort to produce a comprehensive index of all past editions. This would be an ideal project for someone with superior writing/editing skills and an interest in archives development or scientific history.
QUALIFICATIONS: Proven writing/editing skills and experience in desktop publishing preferred.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: William Fitzhugh
Phone: 202-633-1887
E-mail: fitzhugh@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Arctic Studies Center Education
DESCRIPTION: The Arctic Studies Center (ASC), Alaska Office in Anchorage, Alaska is looking for students interested in a museum education-focused internship. Interns will work with ASC and Anchorage Museum staff to create educational programming for the "Living Our Cultures" exhibition. Interns will participate in development meetings; develop and produce gallery activities; contribute to the production and implementation of guides and tours; and conduct evaluations.
QUALIFICATIONS: Recent graduate or graduate students. Experience and coursework in education and Indigenous cultures required. Experience working with digital media required.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Dawn Biddison
Phone: 907-929-9208
E-mail: biddisond@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Global Genome Outreach
DESCRIPTION: The Global Genome Outreach Internship for Fall 2012/Winter 2013 has now been filled. Please check back with us this March for the Spring/Summer 2013 Global Genome Outreach Assistantship project description. The Smithsonian's Global Genome Initiative (GGI) aims to preserve the planet's genetic diversity. Through GGI, the National Museum of Natural History will sustain the next generation of biodiversity collections, help solve many of humanity's biological challenges, and in the process, transform itself into a 21st century institution. For more information on GGI please visit our website at GGI.SI.EDU
QUALIFICATIONS: Biology, Anthropology, Education, or related majors are encouraged. Molecular lab experience is preferred. Strong writing and oral communication skills are required. Background knowledge/reading of basic biology and genetics is strongly suggested.
TIMETABLE: Summer only
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Katharine Barker
Phone: 202-633-2460
E-mail: barkerk@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Production of Archaeological Field Reports
DESCRIPTION: The Arctic Studies Center (ASC) is looking for interns with a background in archaeology and experience working with desktop publishing and graphic design software. If you have an interest in either the cultural history of Mongolia or historic archaeology in coastal Quebec, and would also like to refine your skills in Adobe programs like PhotoShop, Illustartor and InDesign, we would love to work with you on the production of our annual field reports. We aim to produce technical field reports that both adequately document our archaeological research, and appeal to general readers interested in learning more about the ASCs initiatives in these diverse regions. Completed reports are submitted to provincial authorities and are posted on the ASC website: http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/pub_field.html.
QUALIFICATIONS: Some experience working with Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator or InDesign is preferred.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: William Fitzhugh
Phone: 202-633-1887
E-mail: fitzhugh@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Visitor Experience Intern
DESCRIPTION: Interns placed within the Visitor Experience Branch of the Office of Education and Outreach at the National Museum of the Natural History will learn the broad responsibilities of the Visitor Services functions within a Smithsonian museum. These duties include visitation analysis, visitor outreach, welcoming, and tracking & evaluation. The intern will interact directly with the public and will play a key role in developing a key performance indicator dashboard within a SharePoint environment. In addition the intern will partner with colleagues from across the Public Engagement Department to execute and refine a visitor tracking study. The visitation analysis portion of this internship will have the incumbent review raw data of past years and discern significant findings and draft conclusions of possible affects on annual visitor traffic. Other duties include working with the Volunteer and Visitor Services Manager to conduct surveys of the museum’s 700+ volunteers, assist with the development of a continuing education program, and contribute to the electronic volunteer newsletter. The incumbent will be encouraged to attend meetings, meet NMNH staff and to learn about the museum, its projects and the Smithsonian Institution during the period of the internship. Off-site marketing outreach work may be required, including but not limited to staffing volunteer fairs. The position will be located in the National Museum of Natural History Building. It is expected that the intern will work a minimum 20 hours a week; depending on the number of Interns in the Visitor Experience Program, work schedules will fall on Sunday-Thursday or Wednesday-Saturday work band. Outcome: The intern will develop experience in the widest range of museum functions including audience development, visitor orientation, outreach, volunteer recruitment, and accessibility. The Volunteer and Visitor Services manager aims to encourage the incumbents learning in the fields of museum marketing, museum studies and museum operations.
QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum Candidate Qualifications: • Professional writing • Research skills, including regression analysis • Marketing interest or experience • Pleasant manner • Ability to multi task • Fundamental literacy in MS Excel, including pivot tables
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Donna Tuggle
Phone:
E-mail: tuggled@si.edu
Exhibits and Public Programs
PROJECT TITLE: Arctic Studies Center Documentary Films
DESCRIPTION: The Arctic Studies Center (ASC), Alaska Office in Anchorage, Alaska is looking for students interested in an Anthropology-focused internship. Interns will work with ASC staff to create films of Native consultations for the Living Our Cultures exhibition. Wintern(s) will: participate in design and set-up, filming, editing and producing finished films for a public access website. Depending on experience, the intern(s) may also assist with producing language-teaching short films and public programming short films.
QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced undergraduate or recent graduate. Experience and coursework in anthropology and Indigenous cultures required. Experience working with digital media required.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Dawn Biddison
Phone: 907-929-9208
E-mail: biddisond@si.edu
Information Technologies
PROJECT TITLE: Anthropology Artifact Database Enhancement with Digital Images
DESCRIPTION: The Anthropology collections include about 2.2 million specimens in archaeology, ethnology, and physical anthropology. The intern would assist Anthropology Collections Management staff at the Museum Support Center (MSC) in Suitland, Maryland in adding digital jpeg images of ethnology and some archaeology artifacts in the collections to enhance the entries in the Department's electronic artifact database, EMu, a version of which is also available to the public for online searching: http://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/anth/ . In addition to adding the digital files to the records, duties would including clarifying discrepancies in image and artifact catalogue numbers, and the captioning of images in the database, as well as entering image file numbers in the database. The intern will sometimes need to check images against existing manual records and the artifacts themselves to resolve number discrepancies. The intern may also sometimes assist collections staff and NMNH photographers with pulling artifacts needing new photography from storage, and with the handling of artifacts to facilitate new photography, as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS: Undergraduate or graduate students or recent graduates.Familiarity with Anthropology, based on coursework, and an interest in learning about museum collections work, databases, and photography. The nature of the work involved can be somewhat repetitive so the applicant should be detail oriented, have a high degree of accuracy and patience, and the ability to work independently. The intern must also be able to handle delicate artifacts carefully. To apply, email a letter of introduction, a resume, and a recommendation from an instructor who is familiar with your skills and work habits. Indicate your period of availability.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Felicia Pickering
Phone: 301-238-1316
E-mail: pickerif@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Arctic Studies Center Podcasts & On-line Tours
DESCRIPTION: The Arctic Studies Center (ASC), Alaska Office in Anchorage Alaska is looking for students interested in an Anthropology-focused technology internship to assist with the Sharing Knowledge website and Living Our Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska exhibition. Interns will work under ASC supervision to create podcasts and virtual tours for the Sharing Knowledge web site. Duties to include: reviewing project scope, content and research footage; creating podcast outlines; reviewing archival sound footage, obtaining use rights and converting footage; working with Native community members to conduct oral history interviews; producing edited podcasts; working with Alaska Native culture bearers to create virtual tours. Interns will work under the supervision of ASC curators and Anchorage Museum staff in the Information Technology and Media departments.
QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced undergraduate or recent graduate. Experience and coursework in anthropology and Indigenous cultures required. Experience working with digital media required.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Dawn Biddison
Phone: 907-929-9208
E-mail: biddisond@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Arctic Studies Center Website and Gallery Interactives Films
DESCRIPTION: The Arctic Studies Center (ASC), Alaska Office in Anchorage Alaska is looking for students interested in an Anthropology-focused technology internship for the Sharing Knowledge website and Living Our Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska exhibition. Interns will assist ASC staff on content for the Sharing Knowledge web site and Living Our Cultures exhibition interactives. Duties to include: acquisition, formatting, caption-writing & upload of archival photographs and illustrations of Alaska & Eastern Siberia Native peoples; editing and uploading new text content from Native consultations; updating museum information content. Interns will work under the supervision of ASC curators and work with library archives staff at the Anchorage Museum and University of Alaska.
QUALIFICATIONS: Undergraduate student. Experience and/or coursework in anthropology and Indigenous cultures preferred.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Dawn Biddison
Phone: 907-929-9208
E-mail: biddisond@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Text Preparation for the Encyclopedia of Life
DESCRIPTION: Would you like to contribute to the Encylopedia of Life (EOL)? We need text marked up in an XML format for the many different species that we are preparing to add to new and existing EOL pages. These texts are part of the Biologia Centrali-Americana, a large, rare work on the flora and fauna of Mexico and Central America in the late 19th-early 20th century. For many species, this is still the only source of information and images, so it is important to include this work in EOL.
QUALIFICATIONS: Basic text editing experience, ability to focus and pay great attention to detail.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Anna Weitzman
Phone: 202-633-0846
E-mail: Weitzman@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Virtual Panoramic Exhibit Spaces Code and Content Development
DESCRIPTION: The intern(s) will develop and manage data and populate content for the new release of the NMNH virtual panorama exhibit and spatial views project. Since the launch of our initial panorama tours in 2008, these spectacular spatial presentations have been consistently among the top most visited web pages in the entire NMNH web sphere. The goal of this internship is to leverage the visitation and popularity of these presentations by adding new and appropriate content that highlights signature exhibit objects and specimens.
QUALIFICATIONS: Functional experience using data entry tools such as MS Excel; familiarity with web development tools such as Adobe Dreamweaver and image manipulation tools such as Adobe Photoshop; interest in digital outreach technologies, including mobile and tablet platforms, as they relate to serving natural history museum objects, collections and research information; good communication skills, dynamic initiative, creativity, and the ability to work well independently and/or with others.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Dennis Hasch
Phone: 202-633-0848
E-mail: haschd@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Web Video Desktop Production and Web Training Video Documentation
DESCRIPTION: The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) Information Technology, Web Branch (WB) seeks to recruit and work with self-motivated, dedicated and enthusiastic interns with an interest online video development and desktop presentation tools to help us create beautiful, dynamic and engaging museum informational and user support video presentations that highlight our major online resources to both our public and internal audiences.
This is an opportunity for web media savvy and creative individuals to produce lasting museum highlights, and educational training products in support of our operational and outreach missions.
OUR MISSION: The NMNH IT Web Branch facilitates, coordinates, engages and/or is operationally involved in all museum web projects, initiatives, technical web applications, implementation and associated development of online resources and presentations for both internal and public web programs and online initiatives. The Web Branch team works closely with other NMNH offices including Education/Outreach, Exhibits, Research/Collections, and other operational programs as well as with the central Smithsonian IT Office known as the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).
Have a nice day!
QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates should have at least some level of desktop video production experience that can bridge multimedia content created to websites and web pages. Candidates should also have fundamental online research skills and the ability to effectively and regularly communicate museum staff in the IT Web Branch. Candidates should expect to work at least 5 hours per week to fulfill goals of the project. While working onsite would be preferred, the schedule will be flexible enough to support working remotely as necessary.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Dennis R Hasch
Phone: 202-633-0848
E-mail: haschd@si.edu
Laboratory Techniques
PROJECT TITLE: Plant molecular phylogenetics and population genetics
DESCRIPTION: An internship would involve DNA isolation, amplification and either DNA sequencing or DNA fragment analyses. Among plant genera being studied are Isoetes, Silene and Mimulus. Most of the work would be done in the new molecular LAB in the museum, but some DNA extractions may be done at the Museum Support Center in Suitland, MD. Applicants should send a CV, unofficial or official transcripts and two letters of recommendation to Dr. Zimmer at the email address below.
QUALIFICATIONS: Previous experience with molecular techniques and Microsoft Office are preferred. An intern would need to make a commitment of 16-20 hours per week for at least 10-12 weeks.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Liz Zimmer
Phone: 301-238-1118;202-633-0896
E-mail: zimmerl@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Using DNA analysis for understanding patterns of coral reef biodiversity
DESCRIPTION: Studies seeking to understand patterns of coral reef diversity have traditionally been taxonomically biased towards the most conspicuous taxonomic groups such as fish and corals. Yet, most coral reef diversity is made of small-size species living deep in the reef matrix and belonging to poorly known groups. We use Autonomous Reef Monitoring Systems (ARMS) combined with DNA barcoding and cutting edge meta-barcoding approaches to investigate patterns of coral reef cryptobenthic diversity at regional and global scale. Standardized sampling allows us to compare richness and community composition between regions of the world while DNA analysis is an effective approach for rapid and cost-effective species detection and delineation. The intern will be working on samples collected from multiple locations in the Pacific, Red Sea and Atlantic Ocean and help with various tasks such as sorting specimens, tissue sampling, DNA extraction, DNA barcoding and meta-barcoding, next-generation sequencing and sequence data analysis.
QUALIFICATIONS: We are looking for highly motivated applicants, with professionalism, ability to work in a team and who can be trusted with handling delicate samples. Experience with DNA analysis is highly desirable. Applicants should send CV, short cover letter and contact information for two references.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Nancy Knowlton
Phone: 202 633 0668
E-mail: knowlton@si.edu
Media and Public Affairs
PROJECT TITLE: Pan-Smithsonian Cryo-Initiative Outreach Project
DESCRIPTION: The Pan-Smithsonian Cryo-Initiative (PSCI) aims to provide for the fully-resourced care of the Smithsonian Institution's frozen biomaterial collections through collaborative management as well as increase online access to its collections via a Virtual Biorepository. Interns will create an official presentation slidedeck and/or brochure for the pan-Smithsonian cryo-collection program. This will involve compiling sources from partner units and previous presentations. The official program slidedeck and brochure will be used in all formal program outreach and promotion. Expected outcomes include: experience in the museum public affairs and product management lifecycle and first-hand knowledge of biodiversity and genomics/proteomics research.
QUALIFICATIONS: Required: MS PowerPoint, experience writing and giving presentations Optional: Adobe Creative Suite Coursework in marketing, communications, and/or design coursework or experience preferred. Knowledge of scientific communities of practice is helpful.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Piper Mullins
Phone: 202-633-4054
E-mail: mullinsp@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Public Affairs Intern
DESCRIPTION: Primary projects include: acting as liaison between media and museum scientists, working with VIP's, local, national, and international film and television crews, maintaining an extensive media database of all museum media references, writing and updating press materials including news releases fact sheets, and web copy, as well as general administrative office tasks. Experience with social and digital media strategy preferred.
QUALIFICATIONS: Undergraduate level. Strong communications skills and excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Kelly Carnes
Phone: 202-633-2950
E-mail: carnesk@si.edu
Research Assistance - Anthropological
PROJECT TITLE: North American Indian Research
DESCRIPTION: The intern will investigate historical photography, North American Indians ethnology and history of anthropology. Some current projects include publication of a work by Alice C. Fletcher titled Life Among the Indians: Camping with the Sioux and Omaha, 1881-1882; a publication of the history of the Society for Visual Anthropology (SVA) visual research conference (the SVA is a unit of the American Anthropological Association); and a publication on Northwest Coast Indian architecture from Wrangell, Alaska.
QUALIFICATIONS: Accuracy and attention to detail is required. Anthropology or American History background with interest in Native Americans would be helpful.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Joanna Scherer
Phone: 202-633-1962
E-mail: schererj@si.edu
Research Assistance - Biological
PROJECT TITLE: Building an Interactive Digital Key for the Compositae
DESCRIPTION: In 2010 researchers from the Smithsonian and other institutions worldwide began building an interactive digital key for the largest plant family: the Compositae. The project, abbreviated VKC, attempts to provide an online tool to identify each of the 25,000+ species of the family, with photographs, maps and phylogenies.
We are currently working on the species from two geographic areas: North America and the Northern South America. Interns will help to populate the matrix of morphological characters by examining directly botanical specimens and text-mining taxonomic descriptions of species.
QUALIFICATIONS: Interns should have working knowledge of computers (especially Excel) and bases in botany/biology. A major in Biology, Agronomy or Forestry is highly desirable.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Mauricio Diazgranados
Phone: 202-633-0951
E-mail: DiazgranadosM@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Comparative Leaf and Spathe Anatomy in the Genus Commelina (Commelinaceae)
DESCRIPTION: Commelina is the largest genus of the plant family Commelinaceae. Although it occurs worldwide, it is especially diverse in tropical Africa, where more than half of its 170 species occur. The African species occur in a great diversity of habitats. The leaves and spathes (leafy bracts that enclose the flowers and fruits) in Commelina species are similar in their development, but each has a different function. The question that we are asking is whether species that grow in drier habitats show a greater differentiation between the leaves and spathes than species that grow in moist habitats. To answer this question we will use leaves and spathes of plants that are being grown in the Botany Department Research Greenhouse. The emphasis will be on plant anatomy and microtechnique. The techniques to be used will include paraffin-embedded sections, whole leaf (and spathe) clearings, epidermal scrapes, and scanning electron microscopy. All techniques will be taught as part of the project, but previous lab experience is advantageous.
QUALIFICATIONS:
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Bob Faden
Phone: 202-633-0971
E-mail: fadenr@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Curation of Freshwater Snail Collection
DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this project is to assist with re-organizing and upgrading the curatorial status of a large (ca. 5,000 samples or lots) alcohol-preserved collection of freshwater gastropods belonging to the family Hydrobiidae. This Smithsonian collection is actively used for curatorial research and is also frequently queried (electronically) by the conservation community. The interns will reorganize the entire collection, top off lots that are low in (ethanol) preservative, check each lot against electronic database (KEmu) records to identify missing material and other problems, and add "drop slips" to a subset of the lots to reflect recent changes of electronic records. This project will greatly improve both the accessibility and curatorial status of this important collection. Work will be done at both the Museum Supporting Center (MSC) and the Museum of Natural History.
QUALIFICATIONS: Some experience with Microsoft Excel, invertebrate zoology, and museum collections is desireable.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Robert Hershler
Phone: 202-633-1747
E-mail: hershlerr@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Do it with Nemertean Worms, and on the Internet
DESCRIPTION: Intern projects focus on populating the Nemertea Scratchpad, a research and community-based partner of the Encyclopedia of Life. The web site is intended to serve as a relatively comprehensive knowledge-base for specialists, other professionals, and interested students. Internship activities include scanning and/or translating literature on taxonomy and biology of nemerteans, gathering information to populate species pages, researching and compiling information such as geographic locality data. Occasionally and depending on student background, it may be possible to participate in describing a new species, make histological preparations of nemerteans, do DNA sequence editing or participate in sequencing lab work with the aim of contributing to study of microscopical anatomy and/or genetic relationships. Nemertean worms are predators; they occupy all marine habitats, as well as some terrestrial and freshwater habitats. They can be ecologically significant and are key players in understanding animal evolution. They are weird and cool and can be beautiful or ugly, but mostly, they are very difficult to study, leading to historical and current paucity of expertise with much remaining to be discovered. Help nemerteans be all they can be! These internships generally are unpaid. Minimum 8 weeks fulltime or about 1 day/week for year.
QUALIFICATIONS: Experience with marine invertebrates, worms, histology, molecular phylogenetics, biomechanics, photomicrography, digital imaging, 3-d reconstruction, computer programming, web site development (esp. MySQL, PHP, HTML, Drupal), illustration, bioinformatics, or a mix of these, is helpful. Relevant computer or laboratory experience is advantageous but not necessary.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Jon Norenburg
Phone: 202-633-1783
E-mail: norenburgj@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Entomology Multimedia Internship
DESCRIPTION: The Encyclopedia of Life and Smithsonian researcher Torsten Dikow are seeking student interns to assist with the enhancement of the Leptogastrinae LifeDesk. This LifeDesk summarizes information about leptogastrinae robber flies from around the world for the 472 known species. Depending on skills and interests, intern projects can include: specimen photography – use digital macrophotography equipment to take high resolution images of specimens from the collection of the National Museum of Natural History; image processing – use Photoshop to enhance and adjust the NMNH specimen photographs as well as our backlog of type and non-type specimen photographs from other natural history museums around the world; image publication – upload images to the Leptogastrinae LifeDesk (which shares content with the Encyclopedia of Life) and add metadata; specimen occurrence data capture – enter locality data of specimens from the NMNH and other natural history museum collections into a database for generating online distribution maps; bibliographic supplements – locate open-access literature online (e.g., the Biodiversity Heritage Library) and attach PDFs to the existing bibliography on the LifeDesk. Interns will work on site at the NMNH in Washington, DC. Smithsonian staff will provide training in relevant technologies, practices, and policies.
QUALIFICATIONS: Recent life science graduates and undergraduates (juniors or seniors) with experience in the creation, management, and online dissemination of biological images and literature research are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have excellent communication skills and must be reliable, self-motivated, and capable of working independently.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Katja Schulz
Phone: Please send resume to schulzk@si.edu
E-mail: schulzk@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Flies of Peru
DESCRIPTION: Besides being a significant portion of world biodiversity (one of every ten named organisms in the world is a fly) Diptera are extremely diverse in appearance and habits. Many species are important to humans as plant pests, vectors of disease, or pollinators. Numerous species remain unnamed or undiscovered and the distribution and habits of the majority are poorly documented. Interns will assist in surveys of the fauna of Peru (and other tropical countries), by sorting trap samples (part of the process of discovering new species), databasing information, and/or capturing data from the specimens in the collection. Interns will receive training on identification of flies, techniques for processing samples, and methods for preparing flies to study their morphological features. Specimens prepared through this internship will be included as a part of the permanent holdings at the NMNH. Scientists worldwide will use the specimens to study fly biodiversity and evolutionary relationships. Internships have been filled for Spring and Summer 2013.
QUALIFICATIONS: A minimum two-month commitment is required. Hours are flexible. Background in the biological sciences and familiarity with the use of a microscope are preferred. Attention to detail and manual dexterity to small handle tools (i.e., forceps, small paint brushes) for manipulating small or fragile specimens are desirable.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Allen Norrbom
Phone: 202-633-4564
E-mail: allen.norrbom@ars.usda.gov
PROJECT TITLE: Geo-referencing historical plant photographs and collections of José Cuatrecasas
DESCRIPTION: One of the greatest botanists of the Neotropics, Don José Cuatrecasas Arumí (1903-1996), collected thousand of plants (ca. 25,000) and anthropological specimens in Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador between 1932 and 1979. He compiled an astounding photographic archive with more than 20,000 images, accompanied by detailed descriptions of the vegetation and studies of the indigenous people. He published approximately 262 papers; he is the author (or co-author) of two subtribes, 41 genera and about 3,308 new species, subspecies or varieties of plants.
The Smithsonian Institution holds the most important collection of specimens and photographs of Cuatrecasas, including most of his journals, field books and notebooks. Since 2005 we have transcribed into Spanish and translated into English his first two journals, and with the collaboration of students and volunteers we have scanned more than 5000 of his photographs.
Our current goal is to geo-reference Cuatrecasas plant photographs and collections, to make this information available online for research and for the general public.
The intern will be carrying out the following activities:
1. Scan photographs in different formats (including black and white large negatives).
2. Edit and clean digital images in Photoshop and/or Aperture.
3. Geo-reference photographs based on the information of Cuatrecasas journals of expeditions, using electronic gazetteers, physical maps and online maps (Google Earth, Google Maps, Aperture, etc.).
4. Populate metadata of photographs (keywords, photograph series and number, etc.).
5. Link photographs with plant specimens in the US National Herbarium.
6. Continue building the database of photographs.
QUALIFICATIONS: Special qualifications are not required. However, it would be desirable if the intern gets familiar with the following computing packages and online resources before coming to the Smithsonian: Excel, Access, Aperture (Mac), Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Bridge, Google Earth, Google Maps, HTML code and KML code.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Mauricio Diazgranados
Phone: 202-633-0950/0951
E-mail: DiazgranadosM@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Parasitic Wasp Diversity in a Restored Coastal Grassland in Maryland
DESCRIPTION: I am seeking an Intern to participate in a survey of parasitic wasps in a coastal grassland near Chestertown, MD. The grassland, located at the Chester River Field Research Station (http://www.washcoll.edu/centers/ces/crfrs/), was restored from agricultural land in 1999. Goals of the project are (1) discover and describe new species and determine their spatiotemporal distributions, (2) assess the ability of parasitic wasps to recolonize a grassland following restoration from agricultural land, and (3) survey parasitic wasps in grassland habitat adjacent to crop fields to determine if the former harbor species that attack pests in the latter. The Intern will receive training to (1) sample insects using flight traps, pan traps, and a sweep net; (2) sort samples of field-collected insects for parasitic wasps; and (3) dehydrate, mount, and label parasitic wasps. The Intern will spend two to four days per week sorting samples and preparing specimens at the Smithsonian Institution NMNH. He/she will also spend one or two days per week sampling insects at the field site. Fieldwork may also include rearing parasitic wasps from hosts collected at the field site.
QUALIFICATIONS: A minimum three month, 24 hours per week time commitment is required. A major or minor in biology or a related field is also required. Preference will be given to applicants with experience sampling organisms in the field. Also, preference will be given to applicants willing/able to drive their personal vehicle to the field site, located ~50 miles northeast of Annapolis, MD.
TIMETABLE: Summer only
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Robert R. Kula
Phone: 202-633-4558
E-mail: Robert.Kula@ars.usda.gov
PROJECT TITLE: Technical Writing Internship
DESCRIPTION: The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is seeking student interns to help with the writing of high priority species pages for special EOL projects and program areas. Interns will be able to select their topic area of organisms. Students interested in marine organisms, plants, and arthropods are particularly encouraged to apply. Interns will: undertake multiple writing/research assignments; survey available online resources for a given species; conduct literature research and communicate with subject area specialists; draft, write and edit species pages; and use and test EOL data entry tools. Interns may work on site at the NMNH in Washington, DC, or they may work remotely at their home institutions. Reliable internet access and the ability to participate in remote video conferences is essential for off-site interns.
QUALIFICATIONS: Undergraduate (junior or senior level) or graduate students or recent life science graduates. Candidates must have excellent writing skills, must be able to work independently and efficiently, and must be willing to meet project deadlines.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Katja Schulz
Phone: Please send resume to schulzk@si.edu
E-mail: schulzk@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Valles Caldera National Preserve & Joshua Tree National Park Parasitic Wasp Biodiversity
DESCRIPTION: The Hymenoptera Unit of the Entomology Department has ongoing collection efforts underway in VCNP and JTNP seeking to document diversity of parasitic Hymenoptera. Additionally, at VCNP we are now working toward making qualitative faunistic comparisons based on land management decisions: burned versus unburned mixed conifer forest, restored versus unrestored riparian corridor, etc. Interns in this program will undergo intensive training, workshop-style, simultaneously in several areas of knowledge: (1) Identification of superfamilies (and below) of Hymenoptera, (2) introduction to Hymenoptera biology and taxonomy, (3) curatorial techniques including sorting, specimen mounting and labeling, specimen dehydration, (4) specimen imaging with light and scanning electron microscopy, (5) image manipulation in Photoshop CS4 and/or InDesign, (6) collections-based research. Numbers 4-6 are contingent on intern performance and interest (in terms of career goals) and will be offered on a case-by-case basis.
Involved in this training are three USDA hymenopterists (Gates, Buffington, Kula), the NMNH SEM lab manager (Whittaker), and the USDA scientific illustrator (Litwak).
QUALIFICATIONS: Two concurrent positions available. Some experience with insects preferred, but not required. Requires a minimum 3 month committment and minimum of 30 hours per week. Please submit a CV and two references.
TIMETABLE: Summer only
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Mike Gates
Phone: 202-633-4554
E-mail: Michael.gates@ars.usda.gov
Research Assistance - Geological
PROJECT TITLE: Cathodoluminescence of Pegmatitic Quartz
DESCRIPTION: The purpose of the project is to examine quartz crystals that have been collected from miarolitic cavities of the Himalaya pegmatite, California and using CL techniques the student will look for evidence of magmatic growth zoning, replacement textures, recrystallization and post-magmatic alteration that may be preserved in the quartz. Quartz is ubiquitous in granitic pegmatites, forming throughout the crystallization history of unzoned and zoned bodies. Miarolitic cavities (pockets) generally occur during the final stages of pegmatite consolidation and are the main source of specimen- and gem-grade quartz crystals. Although the quartz often forms as near-perfect crystals, their growth history is poorly known but can be evaluated using cathodoluminescence (CL).
QUALIFICATIONS: Background and course work in geology.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Michael Wise
Phone: 202-633-1826
E-mail: wisem@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Cities Under the Sea
DESCRIPTION: Geoarchaeological study of submerged Greek and Roman ancient sites in the Mediterranean (Egypt and Calabria, Italy)
QUALIFICATIONS: Junior and Senior undergraduate students, Graduate students, and Post-doctoral level candidates, preferably with a science and archaeology double-major and/or training.
TIMETABLE: Other
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Jean-Daniel Stanley
Phone: 202-633-1354
E-mail: stanleyd@si.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Classification of Granitic Pegmatites using K-feldspar Trace Element Chemistry
DESCRIPTION: The intern will analyze a suite of pegmatitic microcline for their Ga content and test the validity of this hypothesis. The classification of pegmatites into geochemical families is currently based largely on the identification of accessory minerals which represent moderate to extreme accumulation of rare elements that help define the LCT and NYF families. Accessory index minerals are typically used for distinguishing between the two geochemical families because they are easily identifiable and offer a good sense of rare-element enrichment that can be gained without having to conduct chemical analyses. This approach works reasonably well for the more evolved LCT-types, but difficulties arise when dealing with many barren pegmatites from LCT and NYF affiliations which may lack sufficient accessory phases needed for classification. It has been recently suggested that the Ga content of microcline can be used as discriminant for LCT- and NYF-type pegmatites.
QUALIFICATIONS: Background and course work in geology
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: Michael Wise
Phone: 202-633-1826
E-mail: wisem@si.edu
Security and Safety
PROJECT TITLE: Material Safety Data Sheet Validation
DESCRIPTION: The intern will cross reference current chemical inventory lists at the Natural History Musuem to ensure the correct Material Safety Data Sheets are on file. Project will require the use of MS Excel and MS Word and Office.
QUALIFICATIONS: Good organizational skills and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
TIMETABLE: Indefinite
AWARD PACKAGE: None
Project Contact Name: James R. Smith Jr.
Phone: 202-633-0068
E-mail: smithjr@si.edu
Other Links
Didn't find what you're looking for? Other individuals may be interested in hosting an intern, but are not actively recruiting for students to work on a particular project. To review our listings of people within our community, reference the following NMNH Science Department links.
The NMNH science departments maintain their own web pages, including complete community lists. To view the departments lists, visit their web sites. Here are the links:
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