Internship: Wetlands Research
Department: Conservation Research
Status: Temporary, non-exempt
Pay Rate: $17.00/hr
Location: Hybrid
Season: Spring 2026 (3/16/26-6/5/26)
Application Deadline: January 18 at 5pm CST
 
Shedd Internship Program
Shedd Aquarium's Internship Program aims to provide meaningful career exploration for those seeking professions in non-profits, animal care, conservation, research, and beyond.  We hope to inspire and develop future professionals as diverse as the aquatic world we care for.

These opportunities are geared toward those that are new to the field and just starting to establish a career. They have the skills and knowledge, but not necessarily the real-world application.

We welcome applications from all levels of experience, including those seeking career exploration or changes, gap year students, freshmen, sophomores, and those seeking first internships.

Department Overview: 
As part of the Conservation Research Department, the intern will work closely with the Wetland Biologist to document the wildlife that use these habitats and monitor species abundances in response to restoration efforts; special focus is given to amphibians, aquatic insects, and reptiles. These efforts will help us understand how restoring temporary wetlands can benefit animals. This research will help inform management strategies to best protect wetlands 

Wetlands are biodiversity hotspots and their protection is critical to support diverse wildlife. Shedd Aquarium is working with community volunteers and local partners to restore and monitor wetlands across Cook County. This restoration work falls under Shedd’s Conservation Priority Area to Revitalize Habitat.

Environment:
Interns will work directly with Melissa Youngquist at Shedd and at field sites around the greater Chicago area. At Shedd, interns will work in the Conservation Research Laboratory and the technician office. Work will primarily be sedentary at a desk, using microscopes and computers. The role requires sitting for extended periods of time and proper ergonomic set up is required to protect from back, neck, and eye strain. 

In the field, interns will walk, off-trail ,through wooded, prairie, and wetlands habitats. Environmental conditions depend on the weather and may be cold, hot, rainy, humid, or very pleasant. The intern will be exposed to plants, mud, biting insects, and other wild animals (amphibians, reptiles, fishes, etc). The intern must by physically able to carry 30 lbs of gear for 5 miles in all weather conditions.   

Learning Goals: 

• Gain skill in field and laboratory procedures to collect data on community composition 
• Demonstrate understanding of how to conduct scientific research: study design, data collection and analysis, and presentation of results 
• Gain working knowledge of restoration and wetland ecology in Chicago 
• Broaden perspectives on conservation ecology 

Responsibilities & Projects: 

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission and values 
• Assist with field work  
  • Set out/monitor audio loggers, document amphibian breeding activity, and sample tadpoles in wetlands 
  • Document roadkill near wetlands 
  • Surveying snakes in a restored wetland/prairie complex 
• Assist with laboratory work  
  • Laboratory work will include use of a dissecting microscope to sort, identify, and count macroinvertebrates samples 
• Assist with data entry 
  • Enter data from datasheets into Excel 
  • Processing frog-call recordings  
• Other projects as assigned 

Qualifications: 

Fields of Interest: 

• Wetland ecology 
• Conservation Biology 
• Habitat Restoration 
• Herpetology 
• Entomology 

Skills/Characteristics: 

• Self-motivated to work hard 
• Good organizational, written communication, and oral communication skills 
• Excellent attention to detail 
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team 
• Able to walk 5 miles ‘off trail’ though forest and prairie habitat, carrying field supplies 
• Able to work outdoors in unfavorable conditions (cold, hot, insects, mud) 
• Able to work in front of a microscope / computer screen for long periods of time. 
• Willingness/desire to learn about freshwater conservation research 
• Must be at least 18 years old at time of application.
• Have a high school diploma or GED at time of application. 

Schedule: 

• This internship will run from 3/16/26-6/5/26.
  • The first day of the internship will be a full day orientation from 9am-5pm. This is required, even if you will not normally be scheduled on Mondays.
• We anticipate this position will be scheduled for 30 hours per week during this time period, pending business needs and individual performance.
  • Preferred schedule: Availability flexible Monday-Thursday between 9am and 5pm.
  • Set schedule based on intern availability and host department needs. 

Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at internship@sheddaquarium.org.
 
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, Veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.