SUMMER STUDENT WORKER (Unpaid)

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites eligible candidates to apply for a volunteer/unpaid internship with our Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment group. Help turn environmental data into discoveries!

We’re looking for a student with coding skills to join our research on phytoplankton dynamics in the Chesapeake Bay. You’ll work with real-world datasets, write scripts in R, and help uncover how climate, nutrients, and seasons shape the Bay’s microscopic plant life.

580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD (Anne Arundel County)

This is an unpaid internship designed for learning and skill-building. Potential for academic credit pending approval from your university. The internship runs 10 weeks between June to August. The specific start/end dates, hours, and schedule will be determined in collaboration between the intern and supervisor.

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most productive and ecologically significant estuaries in the world—and it’s also one of the most studied. Our mission is to advance understanding of the Bay’s complex ecosystem, with a special focus on phytoplankton, the microscopic plants that form the foundation of its food web. By combining environmental science with computational tools, we aim to uncover patterns, predict changes, and inform conservation strategies that protect this vital resource for generations to come.

As a Scientific Coding Intern, you’ll help transform raw environmental data into meaningful insights about phytoplankton dynamics. Your work will directly support ongoing research into how climate change, nutrient inputs, and seasonal cycles influence the Bay’s primary producers. The code you write and the analyses you run will contribute to real-world environmental management decisions and scientific publications.

• Proficiency in at least one scientific programming language (Python, R, MATLAB).
• Familiarity with data visualization libraries (e.g. ggplot2, Seaborn), working with large data sets and data manipulation tools (e.g., Pandas, dplyr).
• An interest in marine ecology, environmental modeling, or climate science.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently while communicating effectively with a team.
• If you’ve worked on a project you’re proud of—whether it’s a class project, code, or something you built—send us a link or description!

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the minimum qualifications for this recruitment and submit all additional documentation as required as noted below in the “Further Instructions” section. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and submit the required documentation will proceed to the next phase of evaluation. Candidates may be interviewed in person or via telephone to determine selection.

The additional documents listed below are required for this recruitment along with your online application. Additional documents can be emailed to julie.kline@maryland.gov. Letters of recommendation may be sent directly to julie.kline@maryland.gov by the applicant or the person providing the reference. 

• Resume and Cover Letter
• Two Letters of Recommendation, signed and dated
  • Must be from a faculty liaison for school credit
  • Letters of recommendation from family members will not be accepted
• Unofficial Transcript 

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Natural Resources, Human Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue, C-3 Annapolis, MD 21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division. Please note, standard business hours for the help desk are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inquiries made after hours will be reviewed the following business day. 

If you need to make adjustments to a submitted application before the announcement deadline or if you have general inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Julie Kline at julie.kline@maryland.gov.

Please provide ample time to complete the application template. If you are having technical difficulties submitting an application on the day of the deadline, it is strongly advised that you complete the JobAps physical application template and hand deliver to DNR - HRS at 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 before 4:30 p.m. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cannot guarantee that late submissions, as a result of technical difficulties, will be accepted.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay