Ecology Intern

The Atlanta Center for Adaptive Ecology seeks an Ecology Intern for a hybrid role involving field learning and research across Atlanta. This unpaid educational opportunity focuses on urban ecology, environmental data, and applied conservation methods. Participants will gain hands-on experience and may access future paid opportunities. Ideal candidates are motivated individuals with interests in field ecology, environmental data, and computational research, eager to learn and contribute to scientific inquiry.
Join Our Research Learning Team at the Atlanta Center for Adaptive Ecology


Location: Atlanta, GA


Format: Hybrid, with field learning and research activities across Atlanta-area sites


About the Atlanta Center for Adaptive Ecology The Atlanta Center for Adaptive Ecology is an independent research organization developing field systems, environmental data methods, and computational frameworks for understanding how urban habitats change. We work as a disciplined research system rather than a traditional campus, moving every project through one chain: define the ecological question, document the site, collect traceable observations, validate the data, and publish the method with the result.


Our work spans four connected programs covering urban habitat transitions, wildlife response under disturbance, environmental signal systems, and conservation decision models.


About This Opportunity
This opportunity is designed primarily as a learning experience and educational research pathway for individuals who want hands-on exposure to urban ecology, environmental data, field documentation, computational research, and applied conservation methods.
This is an unpaid educational research opportunity, not a traditional salaried position. Participants should view the experience as a way to build research skills, strengthen documentation practices, contribute to real ecological inquiry, and gain exposure to the systems behind independent scientific work.


While the core experience is unpaid, participants may have access to earning opportunities over time, including project-based paid assignments, grant-supported work, stipends, consulting opportunities, paid field tasks, or future compensated roles when funding, project needs, and individual contribution align. These opportunities are not guaranteed, but the organization is designed to help serious contributors develop the skills, portfolio, and research credibility needed to compete for them.


We Are Looking For
We are seeking curious, rigorous, and motivated people who care about the intersection of urban ecology, environmental data, and computational research. We invite you to apply if your background or interests align with any of the following areas:
Field Ecology and Site ObservationWildlife Behavior and Disturbance ResearchEnvironmental Data, Quality Assurance, and ProvenanceGIS, Remote Sensing, and Geospatial AnalysisAcoustic, Imagery, and Multimodal SensingSoftware Engineering and Computational ResearchData Science, Statistics, and Decision ModelingScience Communication and Public EngagementPartnerships, Grants, and Stakeholder RelationsResearch Operations, Program Coordination, and Administrative Support
Key Qualifications
Relevant educational, professional, or self-directed experience in your area of interestStrong communication and collaboration skillsCareful documentation and comfort working with uncertaintyCreative problem-solving and adaptabilityInterest in urban ecology, environmental data, and emerging research methodsWillingness to learn, receive feedback, and contribute to a disciplined research process
What Participants Gain
A rigorous, collaborative, and inclusive research learning environmentHands-on exposure to field observation, ecological documentation, and environmental data systemsExperience connecting fieldwork, computation, and research communicationOpportunities to develop a research portfolio, methods documentation, and applied project experienceExposure to grant development, partnerships, publication workflows, and conservation decision modelsPotential pathways into paid project work, stipends, consulting opportunities, or future compensated roles when available
How to Apply
Submit your resume along with a brief cover letter highlighting your specific area of interest and explaining how your skills, background, or learning goals align with the Atlanta Center for Adaptive Ecology’s mission.
If possible, include one short example of how you document, verify, organize, or communicate your work. This can come from research, school, fieldwork, software, writing, operations, community work, or any other relevant experience.


The Atlanta Center for Adaptive Ecology is an equal opportunity organization. We actively welcome diversity and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute, learn, and grow.