FWRI Steidinger Scholar Intern, Ghost Forest Research, Information Science and Management

The Steidinger Scholars, launched in 2023, celebrates the life and impact of Dr. Karen Steidinger, a pioneering scientist harmful algal bloom research and a formative leader in the history of FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). Her groundbreaking work is recognized worldwide, and the organism that causes red tides in Florida, Karenia brevis, is named in her honor. Just as Karen mentored generations of scientists, the program continues her legacy by creating opportunities for future scientists.

The goal of the Steidinger Scholars program is to inspire students to explore careers in fisheries and wildlife research through experiential learning. Successful applicants participate in 3-month long part- to full-time paid internships mentored by FWRI scientists. Interns work on a variety of projects that inform the protection, conservation, and management of Florida’s fish and wildlife resources.

The program is open to all recent high school graduates or new college students (years 1-2) of all genders from all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Successful candidates will have the ability to work in a team environment, adapt to changing work environments and priorities, and work in a range of settings including office, laboratory and outdoors in all weather conditions. 

Duties/tasks are position specific to the opportunity (see below) but include:

• Direct project activities such as training in and assisting with field and laboratory duties to ongoing research and management projects and programs.
• Shadowing staff and researchers in a variety of research areas.
• Participating in training, workshops, and other education and career development planning activities.
• Presenting on the experience.

Qualifications:

• A recent or expected high school graduate, or 1-2 year college student; must be 18 years of age or older by the start of the internship
• Willingness to learn
• Good interpersonal and organizational skills
• Good written and oral communication
• A passion for and interest in science. Prior learning or experience is not required
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. including having a valid social security card

Women and students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

Ghost Forest Research, Information Science and Management - Tallahassee or Gainesville

Opportunity #: FWRI SS-SU26-05

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) Information Science and Management (ISM) team is seeking a highly motivated and excited intern for summer 2026. Changes in coastal environments due to salt-water intrusion and storm damage from hurricanes can impact the species that depend upon these habitats. The development of “ghost forests” and the landward migration of saltwater marsh is of interest to FWC researchers and managers so that they can inform the conservation of the species that utilize these habitats (e.g. saltmarsh nesting birds). This intern will be engaged in updating portions of a spatial dataset that was created in 2021 to identify potential ghost forest locations along the coast of the Big Bend in Florida between Tampa and the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. This area has subsequently been impacted by Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and by Hurricanes Helen and Milton in 2024 and it is likely that the location of the ghost forests in storm impacted areas have changed and moved inland.

Tasks. Specific job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Collect publicly available spatial datasets along the Big Bend Coast of Florida that have been completed since 2021
• Utilize ArcGIS to inform digitization of potential ghost forests using LiDAR, NDVI, and aerial imagery
• Measure changes that have occurred in potential ghost forests between the two datasets

Successful candidate attributes:

• Attention to detail
• Technologically inclined
• Previous experience with ArcGIS or other spatial mapping products is a plus

Dates: May to August (3 months)

Supervisors: Kristen Nelson Sella

Hours: Part-time (average 20 hours per week)

Location: Tallahassee or Gainesville (indicate preference in application cover letter)