Research Assistant Intern (Carbon) at Woodwell Climate Research Center Inc – Falmouth, Massachusetts

Woodwell Climate Research Center

Summer Internships Program 2026

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 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 the Center’ 2026 Summer Internship Program on the Carbon team as Research Assistant Intern to study salt marsh restoration outcomes in the Great Marsh, MA. In collaboration with restoration practitioners, the project focuses on developing practical frameworks to assess impacts of marsh restoration on marsh ecology, biogeochemistry and overall ecosystem health. Specific goals include development of field-based protocols for sediment sampling in salt marshes in the Greater Boston area to measure carbon and nutrient cycling processes and determine microbial diversity. This opportunity provides on-site mentoring in the field and laboratory, with an emphasis on skills in soil biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and data analysis. In addition, there are ample opportunities for community engagement and outreach by collaborating with local K-12 programs.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Visit and understand diverse salt marsh restoration practices and develop clear documentations of sites

Collect soil/sediment/vegetation samples for laboratory analysis

Determine carbon content and set-up incubation studies in the laboratory

Collect and analyze data

Assist and engage in outreach programming

Must have the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Foundational understanding of environmental science, soil scienceor nutrient cycling

Familiarity with R or Python with ability to manipulate data and create visualizations with guidance

Laboratory experiences in analytical chemistry or biology

Qualifications:Currently enrolled (or will graduate in Spring 2026) in an undergraduate program in Environmental Science, Soil Science, Biology, Chemistry,Geoscience, Agriculture,or a related field

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted indoors and in lab environments . Field work is required.

Application review will be ongoing

Desired Start Date: June 8 2026 thru August 14, 2026

Hours of Work

This role is paid on an hourly basis. Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek.

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, temporary, non-exempt position, with an hourly salary of $15/hour (based on Massachusetts minimum wage or equivalent state where the employee is located). Internship will not exceed more than 90 days.

Location: Falmouth, MA Onsite

Application Instructions: To apply, please complete the application, attach your resume and cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position in a single PDF to our career’s portal. All resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed.

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 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.