Hudson River Ecosystem Ecology Internship
Location: Kingston, NY
Position Description:
Riverkeeper’s Science Team is hiring 2-3 undergraduate Hudson River Ecosystem Ecology Interns for the 2026 summer season (June 8th through August 14th, 2026). Dates are flexible, with a 9-10 week duration anticipated. Interns will work 30 hours/week alongside Riverkeeper staff, and will receive training in field, lab, and data analysis techniques to support projects studying nutrient cycling and harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Hudson River and its tributaries. Boat-based field work will take place along the river and its estuary, and lab work will be done in Riverkeeper’s Lab in Kingston, NY (located in the Hudson River Maritime Museum).
Familiarity with laboratory work is expected, which can be demonstrated by successful completion of at least one undergraduate biology, chemistry, or earth science laboratory course; previous independent research experience is not necessary. There is no compensation available for this program, but Riverkeeper staff can work with accepted interns to secure external funding or course credit through an intern’s home institution, if possible. Lodging (in the Kingston area) and transportation for the duration of the internship must be arranged individually.
Interns will assist in collecting and processing water samples for nutrients, pigments, and DNA according to Riverkeeper’s Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Assurance protocols, working under the guidance of Riverkeeper’s Water Quality Science team. Interns will assist with laboratory assays for quantifying nutrients (ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, urea, phosphate, total phosphorus), pigments (chlorophyll, phycocyanin), cyanotoxins (microcystin), and DNA extractions. They will help with data entry, quality control, and analysis of the resulting data. Participation in field sampling, lab processing, and data analysis is expected from each intern, though the balance between these activities can be tailored to each individual. Summer projects will culminate with an internal presentation to Riverkeeper staff, with potential support to present results at a regional or national environmental conference in fall 2026. If there is interest, interns will have opportunities to interact with members of Riverkeeper’s outreach, advocacy, or policy teams to learn about different aspects of the organization and its mission.
This is an undergraduate internship; interns will be trained and accompanied during the start of the season to ensure they have the necessary support to accomplish their responsibilities. You do not need to meet all of the qualifications if you are excited about Riverkeeper’s mission and are willing to learn!
Interested applicants should submit the following to Julian Damashek by email (jdamashek@riverkeeper.org): (1) a 1-page statement describing why they are interested in this internship (e.g., relevant academic interests, individual background/experience, or potential career pursuits); (2) a brief curriculum vitae (CV); and (3) the name and email address for two references that can speak to the applicant’s ability to succeed in the program. References can be faculty or supervisors that have taught or worked with the applicant in the past two years. Questions can be directed to Julian Damashek (jdamashek@riverkeeper.org). Interns will be selected on or by February 25, 2026, to allow time to coordinate with each intern’s academic institution.
Desired Qualifications
The Science Team at Riverkeeper is looking for a highly motivated person with:
- Experience in scientific laboratories
- Commitment to the values and mission of Riverkeeper, and an interest in ecology
- Attention to detail and the ability to reliably follow instructions and ask questions in order to collect appropriate samples and produce reliable data
- Ability to commit to being in Riverkeeper’s Kingston lab, or conducting boat-based field work on the Hudson River, throughout Summer 2026
- Willingness and ability to communicate about challenges they may experience with tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines
- Ability to collaborate and work with members of the Water Quality Team, including Riverkeeper staff and other interns, to ensure their tasks are accomplished
- Familiarity with managing data in Google Sheets/Microsoft Excel or R
About Riverkeeper:
Riverkeeper’s vision is of a Hudson teeming with life, with engaged communities boating, fishing and swimming throughout its watershed.
Here’s what Riverkeeper stands for:
Guarding your waterways. Riverkeeper holds polluters accountable, making the Hudson safer and cleaner each year. We patrol the river, inform the public, and go to court whenever it’s necessary, to eliminate illegal contamination.
Defending clean drinking water. Community water supplies are increasingly threatened by pollution and shortage. Riverkeeper empowers citizens to make their voices heard and assure that their precious drinking water resources stay clean and plentiful. Our locally-based “water democracy” approach gets results.
Finding solutions. Riverkeeper fights threats to clean water like destructive power plants, reckless development and decrepit infrastructure. We also specialize in solutions: we improve wildlife habitat, foster sustainable energy, increase investment in water supply/sewer systems, and rally thousands of volunteers to restore their local river fronts.