Research Internships
The Sanctuary is a non-profit biological field station and environmental education center located in NE Pennsylvania. Lacawac’s Research Internship Program offers undergraduate students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the fields of environmental research and education.
Lacawac interns participate in the Sanctuary’s missions of Research, Education, and Preservation. Interns spend considerable time participating in field work and laboratory analysis, educational and public programs for all ages, and various outreach activities.
In recognition of the value of summer experiences and the financial hardship posed by those that are unpaid, some colleges and universities have created programs to provide financial support to their students. Please check with your Career Development Office to see if such a program exists at your institution.
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2021 PLEON or Lacawac Internships. We hire interns every year, so please check back in 2022 for our next opportunities.
We are hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic will be sufficiently contained to allow us to offer the internship experiences described below. However, internship details, including housing commitments, may be amended depending on local COVID-19 conditions, evolving Lacawac COVID policies, and local, state, and federal COVID guidelines and restrictions.
We are hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic will be sufficiently contained to allow us to offer the internship experiences described below. However, internship details, including housing commitments, may be amended depending on local COVID-19 conditions, evolving Lacawac COVID policies, and local, state, and federal COVID guidelines and restrictions.
PLEON Internship
The Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network, or PLEON, is a lake monitoring program based at Lacawac Sanctuary. PLEON conducts routine lake monitoring, hosts public education workshops focused on promoting good lake stewardship, and runs a community-led water quality monitoring program on Pennsylvania’s 3rd largest lake, Lake Wallenpaupack.
PLEON seeks an undergraduate intern to assist with all aspects of the PLEON program. Interns will gain experience and training in:
We are looking for enthusiastic interns who work well with others, have excellent attitudes, and a record of academic achievement. Interns must be able to work independently as well as part of a team. Students working towards a degree in the natural sciences and/or an interest in aquatic ecology, conservation, management are encouraged to apply. Previous field or laboratory research experience in freshwater ecosystems is preferred.
Intern duties include conducting field sampling including temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and plankton on PLEON lakes, sample preservation, laboratory analysis including chlorophyll extractions and nutrient analysis, data manipulation and statistical analysis. The PLEON intern will lead the Lake Wallenpaupack Community-led Water Quality Monitoring program which includes assembling sampling kits, leading program trainings, processing citizen science samples, supervising and working with other interns, and analyzing data.
Interns can expect to work 20-30 hours/week including hours on most weekends, work outside in all weather conditions, and encounter wildlife common to Northeastern PA (mosquitoes, ticks, snakes, deer, black bears). Interns must be comfortable working in small row boats, hiking in temperate forests, and with physical labor. Lacawac is located in a remote, rural area with no public transportation, so interns are strongly encouraged to bring their own vehicle. Applicants must be US citizens or have permission to work in the US and have a valid driver’s license.
Interns receive a modest stipend and free housing at Lacawac Sanctuary. Bunk houses have shared living areas, bathroom, and kitchen and dorm-style bunk rooms. The internship is from May 17th through August 13th, with negotiable start/stop dates.
To apply, submit a completed application form, a letter of interest, resume, and unofficial transcripts via email to Dr. Beth Norman, Director of Science and Research (beth.norman@lacawac.org). Include “2021 PLEON Internship” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin February 22, 2021.
The Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network, or PLEON, is a lake monitoring program based at Lacawac Sanctuary. PLEON conducts routine lake monitoring, hosts public education workshops focused on promoting good lake stewardship, and runs a community-led water quality monitoring program on Pennsylvania’s 3rd largest lake, Lake Wallenpaupack.
PLEON seeks an undergraduate intern to assist with all aspects of the PLEON program. Interns will gain experience and training in:
- Lake ecology and water quality sampling methodology
- Quantitative laboratory analysis
- Experimental design and scientific method
- Laboratory and Field safety
- Science communication and networking
- Data and project management
- Leadership and mentoring
We are looking for enthusiastic interns who work well with others, have excellent attitudes, and a record of academic achievement. Interns must be able to work independently as well as part of a team. Students working towards a degree in the natural sciences and/or an interest in aquatic ecology, conservation, management are encouraged to apply. Previous field or laboratory research experience in freshwater ecosystems is preferred.
Intern duties include conducting field sampling including temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and plankton on PLEON lakes, sample preservation, laboratory analysis including chlorophyll extractions and nutrient analysis, data manipulation and statistical analysis. The PLEON intern will lead the Lake Wallenpaupack Community-led Water Quality Monitoring program which includes assembling sampling kits, leading program trainings, processing citizen science samples, supervising and working with other interns, and analyzing data.
Interns can expect to work 20-30 hours/week including hours on most weekends, work outside in all weather conditions, and encounter wildlife common to Northeastern PA (mosquitoes, ticks, snakes, deer, black bears). Interns must be comfortable working in small row boats, hiking in temperate forests, and with physical labor. Lacawac is located in a remote, rural area with no public transportation, so interns are strongly encouraged to bring their own vehicle. Applicants must be US citizens or have permission to work in the US and have a valid driver’s license.
Interns receive a modest stipend and free housing at Lacawac Sanctuary. Bunk houses have shared living areas, bathroom, and kitchen and dorm-style bunk rooms. The internship is from May 17th through August 13th, with negotiable start/stop dates.
To apply, submit a completed application form, a letter of interest, resume, and unofficial transcripts via email to Dr. Beth Norman, Director of Science and Research (beth.norman@lacawac.org). Include “2021 PLEON Internship” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin February 22, 2021.
Lacawac Internship
Lacawac interns participate in the Sanctuary’s missions of Research, Education, and Preservation. Interns spend considerable time participating in field work and laboratory analysis, educational and public programs for all ages, outreach activities, trail maintenance, and event preparation/clean-up.
Interns will gain experience and training in:
We are looking for enthusiastic interns who work well with others, have excellent attitudes, and a record of academic achievement. Interns must be able to work independently as well as part of a team. This is an entry level position where previous field and research experience is welcome, but not required. Students working towards a degree in the natural sciences and/or an interest in ecology, conservation, or environmental education are encouraged to apply.
Specific intern duties include but are not limited to assisting Lacawac scientists with monitoring water quality of Pocono lakes, assisting visiting graduate students and faculty with their research (covering a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic ecology, conservation, and resource management), maintaining research infrastructure, conducting laboratory and/or field experiments, mentoring high school interns, maintaining hiking trails, assisting with K-12 field trips, hosting public programs, and performing light general maintenance.
Interns can expect to work 20-30 hours per week with occasional weekend hours. Interns should expect to work outside in all weather conditions and encounter wildlife common to Northeastern PA (mosquitoes, ticks, snakes, deer, black bears). Interns must be comfortable with being in small row boats and working on the water, hiking in temperate forests, and with physical labor. Lacawac is situated in a remote, rural area with no public transportation, so interns are strongly encouraged to bring their own vehicle. Applicants must be US citizens or have permission to work in the US and have a valid driver’s license.
Interns receive a modest stipend and free housing at Lacawac.
Housing includes shared living areas, bathroom, and kitchen and dorm-style bunk rooms. The internship is from June 1st through August 13th, with negotiable start/stop dates.
To apply, submit a completed application form, a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts via email to Dr. Beth Norman, Director of Science and Research (beth.norman@lacawac.org). Include “2021 Lacawac Internship” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin February 22, 2021.
Lacawac interns participate in the Sanctuary’s missions of Research, Education, and Preservation. Interns spend considerable time participating in field work and laboratory analysis, educational and public programs for all ages, outreach activities, trail maintenance, and event preparation/clean-up.
Interns will gain experience and training in:
- Lake ecology and water quality sampling methodology
- Quantitative laboratory analysis
- Experimental design and scientific method
- Laboratory and Field safety
- Science communication
- Data and project management
- K-12 environmental education
- Public outreach
We are looking for enthusiastic interns who work well with others, have excellent attitudes, and a record of academic achievement. Interns must be able to work independently as well as part of a team. This is an entry level position where previous field and research experience is welcome, but not required. Students working towards a degree in the natural sciences and/or an interest in ecology, conservation, or environmental education are encouraged to apply.
Specific intern duties include but are not limited to assisting Lacawac scientists with monitoring water quality of Pocono lakes, assisting visiting graduate students and faculty with their research (covering a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic ecology, conservation, and resource management), maintaining research infrastructure, conducting laboratory and/or field experiments, mentoring high school interns, maintaining hiking trails, assisting with K-12 field trips, hosting public programs, and performing light general maintenance.
Interns can expect to work 20-30 hours per week with occasional weekend hours. Interns should expect to work outside in all weather conditions and encounter wildlife common to Northeastern PA (mosquitoes, ticks, snakes, deer, black bears). Interns must be comfortable with being in small row boats and working on the water, hiking in temperate forests, and with physical labor. Lacawac is situated in a remote, rural area with no public transportation, so interns are strongly encouraged to bring their own vehicle. Applicants must be US citizens or have permission to work in the US and have a valid driver’s license.
Interns receive a modest stipend and free housing at Lacawac.
Housing includes shared living areas, bathroom, and kitchen and dorm-style bunk rooms. The internship is from June 1st through August 13th, with negotiable start/stop dates.
To apply, submit a completed application form, a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts via email to Dr. Beth Norman, Director of Science and Research (beth.norman@lacawac.org). Include “2021 Lacawac Internship” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin February 22, 2021.
