Ocean Acidification Internship

The Ocean Acidification Program at Mote was created to research and understand responses of ecologically important species — like corals — to projected levels of ocean acidification. The program is currently developing two research facilities, one in Sarasota and one at the Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration on Summerland Key in the Florida Keys for studies of how corals and other reef species will react to changes in pH as well as climate change (ocean temperature). These seawater systems include both flow-through and large mesocosm-based designs.

There are multiple Ocean Acidification program locations and projects that accept interns. If interested, please select the Ocean Acidification Program in your internship application, and specify the program location or project in your statement of interest.

The Ocean Acidification program at the Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration (IC2R3) focuses on characterizing the physiological effects of changing ocean chemistry on marine organisms found within coral reef and coastal ecosystems. While at the IC2R3 located in Summerland Key, Florida, interns will participate in designing, setting up, and maintaining experiments within our state of the art outdoor Climate and Acidification Ocean Simulator (CAOS) water system. Interns will gain experience in coral and marine organism husbandry, in addition to learning techniques for measuring and analyzing seawater carbonate chemistry, water quality, and animal physiology.

Research activities will vary depending on parameters of current and future projects, but may concentrate on photosynthetic/respiratory rates, calcification rates, and/or photochemical efficiency. Interns will become familiar with the complex relationships and interactions between ocean pH, temperature, dissolved inorganic carbon, and alkalinity of seawater through collaborative experimentation and scientific literature review/discussion. Interns will work alongside Melissa Sante (Staff Chemist) all under the direction of Dr. Emily R. Hall (Program Manager).

The roles and responsibilities of an Ocean Acidification intern include:

  • Carbonate chemistry analysis (DIC, TA, pHT)
  • Cleaning glassware, sample bottles, and other lab equipment
  • Multiparameter meter calibration and sampling
  • Hazardous waste use, control, and cleanup
  • Sample preservation
  • Some experimental work and field work on boats
  • Data and statistical analyses

Qualifications:

  • Must have chemistry experience
  • Must have knowledge of Microsoft Excel
  • Must be able to stand for long periods of time
  • Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds
  • Preferably able to work in a wet environment or on boats

Ocean Acidification interns are accepted year round, with an average internship length of 12-14 weeks. This is a full time internship. Hours are primarily Monday-Friday from 9-5, with occasional long hours and weekends.