Co-op Intern, Research Asssistant

Woodwell Climate Research Center is seeking a Co-op Intern, Research Assistant for a six-month internship in Falmouth, MA. The role involves participating in salt marsh restoration projects, conducting field and laboratory measurements, and analyzing data. Candidates should be enrolled in a related environmental program and possess strong organizational and communication skills. Physical requirements include outdoor activities and the ability to lift equipment. This position is not remote.
Research Assistant Coop Internship (Northeastern University)

Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary:

Join Woodwell’s Water Program as a Research Assistant Coop for six month internships. In this role, you will be part of a team that is working on salt marsh restoration projects to understand how effective restoration activities impact salt marsh ecosystem services. These projects assess many key components of a marsh ecosystem such as carbon decomposition, water level changes, plant dynamics, and sediment characteristics. In this role, you will work as part of a small team to gain broad experience through field and laboratory work across interdisciplinary fields including biology, chemistry and ecology.

Responsibilities include but not limited:
• Participate in field and laboratory measurements of sediments, plants, and water samples
• Process and analyze project data
• Occasionally sample at irregular hours (early mornings, late nights, and weekends) as needed
• Have positively communications with the public

Must have the Following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Ability to work independently and manage time
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to work as a member
• of a team
• Have strong communication skills (Verbal, written and interpersonal)
• Demonstrated skills in data organization, analysis and report writing preferred
• HOBO data logger programming to measure water levels is highly desirable
• Field experience and familiarity with the techniques and instrumentation used to
• quantify saltmarsh ecology or a related field preferred
• Ability to work at field sites at Woodwell Climate and Waquoit Bay from July through December
• Capable of rigorous outdoor activity (lifting approx. 50 pounds, bending, carrying heavy equipment, and walking through waist-high marine waters and marsh)

Qualifications:
• Enrolled in a Bachelors or Masters program in a related environmental field (fisheries, wildlife, ecology, biology, marine biology, chemistry or environmental science)

Physical Requirements:

In the office:
• Ability to tolerate sustained periods of walking, standing, sitting
• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Ability to communicate
• Ability to kneel, bend, and carry items
• Ability to use phone and computers
• Repetitive movements
• Air, train, vehicle travel to attend meetings/event

In the field, the physical requirements of this role include:
• Air, train, vehicle travel to access field locations
• Driving a vehicle or ATV to access field locations
• Walking, hiking, climbing to access field locations
• Paddling, canoeing to access field locations
• Standing and sitting for sustained periods
• Frequent bending, squatting, and kneeling
• Reaching overhead
• Climbing ladders
• Use of manual and power tools including shovels, saws, drills, and hammers
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs up to 10 times/day
• Ability to carry up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day
• Ability to push/pull up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted in:
• A variety of environments, both indoor and outdoor

Hours of Work:
• This role is paid on an hourly basis.
• Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek.
• Occasionally sample at irregular hours (early mornings, late nights, and weekends) as needed

Application review will begin ongoing

Desired Start Date: July 7, 2025

Fixed-term: December 15, 2025

Classification and Compensation: This is a temporary, full-time, hourly, non- exempt position, the hourly rate starting at $18/hour dependent on qualifications/experience.

Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts, onsite

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae as a single PDF to our career’s portal.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell

WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.

The work Woodwell Climate does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.

Woodwell Climate acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.

We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.