If you are looking for an undergraduate internship, research experience, or postgrad job in the GES field, please feel free to peruse the job openings below! Some positions are local to Pittsburgh and to Pennsylvania, while other positions are available across the country and around the world. Note that this page is continuously updated as the department becomes aware of opportunities, so please keep an eye out for new postings.
To view additional organizations and companies that may have internships available, please also see the major-specific pages of the Undergraduate Internship and Job Board.
- Undergraduate Summer Internships & Research Experiences
Organization Position Location Job Description Contact Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Remote Sensing/Spatial Ecology Intern Shenandoah National Park, Front Royal, VA The Conservation GIS Lab (https://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservation-ecology-center) at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) is seeking a motivated intern to support ongoing research in landscape ecology, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem monitoring. SCBI’s mission is to advance the conservation of biological diversity through innovative science, training, and public engagement. Our team works across a wide range of ecosystems and collaborates with scientists throughout the Smithsonian and various other institutions.
This internship provides hands on experience with modern geospatial tools and ecological datasets with a focus on how remote sensing can be used to understand vegetation, habitat structure, and landscape change. Interns will gain exposure to multiple spatial scales ranging from field observations, handheld sensors, drones and satellite observations. Overall, this position will help develop practical skills relevant to conservation science, ecological research, and environmental data analysis.
Interns will contribute to active research projects in conservation and spatial ecology. Depending on ongoing research priorities and the intern's background, projects may include:
- Assisting with field-based biomass data collection and analysis
- Comparing grassland structure and biomass across regions using field and remote sensing datasets
- Mapping and characterizing coffee landscapes in Central America
- Supporting habitat mapping for species such as the giant panda using multi-source satellite observations
These examples are intended to illustrate the breadth of possible work and may evolve over time.
Required Skills & Experience:
• Must be able to dedicate 40 hours per week.
• Knowledge of GIS (preferably ArcGIS, QGIS, and/or R) and/or remote sensing analysis is desirable.
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to conduct research independently and collegially in a team environment.Stipend: This is a paid six-month internship with the possibility to extend. A monthly stipend is offered (dependent on education level, coursework, and skills). There will be dormitory-style housing and computer access on SCBI campus provided for interns.
Location & terms of appointment: The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is located at the north entrance of the Shenandoah National Park, about 60 miles west of Washington, D.C., in Front Royal, VA.
The intern will be part of a cohort of interns at the Center with regular meetings and additional opportunities to interact with fellow interns and researchers.
How to apply:
- Applications are open until the position is filled.
- Apply via the Smithsonian SOLAA system (https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/#/public). Search for "Internship" under "National Zoological Park". The program name is "Conservation GIS Internship Program".
- Submit a CV and a cover letter detailing:
- Statement of Interest
- Potential start date and the duration of time you are available for the internship.
- Contact information for three references.
- Elaborate on your programming experience and skill as much as possible.
Note:
- Successful candidates may need a background check, which might include fingerprinting at a Smithsonian or police facility.
- Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding the application status. The SOLAA application system will provide the most updated status regarding individual applications and the position.
Pennsylvania Resources Council Event Assistant Southwestern PA Zero Waste Event Assistants are an integral part of the Zero Waste programs. Apply today to start providing field support for PRC’s Zero Waste Event Services. These are contract opportunities that pay hourly. We are seeking workers with a passion for getting their hands dirty while helping divert thousands of pounds of waste from the landfill. People with food service, educational, and outdoor work backgrounds highly encouraged to apply. The positions are on an as-needed basis per our Zero Waste Events schedule. Events are usually on weekends and evenings May – October.
For more information and to apply, please check out the PRC Event Assistant page.
mayt@prc.org Friends of the Cheat Seasonal Hellbender Technician Kingwood, WV, with extensive travel This position is a part-time (32 hours per week) seasonal position (12 weeks, July - September 2026). Full weekday availability in the months of August and September is a requirement of the position. The position is centered around hellbender conservation activities, namely assisting with monitoring and outreach initiatives intended on improving the understanding of Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis; hereafter referred to as “hellbender”) occupancy and recruitment in West Virginia as well as promoting conservation actions for the species. The Seasonal Hellbender Technician will be required to travel extensively as part of the position for ease of survey efforts and will need to be available for overnight stays in hotels or other lodging accommodations for the majority of the position’s term.
For more information and application instructions, please see the Friends of the Cheat: Seasonal Hellbender Technician job description.
Applications will be open until the position is filled.
Margaret Biss, maggie@cheat.org - Undergraduate Summer Field Courses
Organization Location Job Description Contact EarthScope Consortium Primarily virtual (see specific courses for details) EarthScope Consortium offers technical courses—developed in collaboration with the community—to support effective use of tools, data, and resources from the NSF National Geophysical Facility.
These courses serve a broad audience, including researchers seeking to expand their skills and early career scientists such as postdocs, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates looking for hands-on experience with the latest geophysical and computational techniques.
To learn more about the program, please see the EarthScope Consortium Courses page, and see the Event Calendar for the specific courses running this summer.
courses@earthscope.org University of Maine, Wrangell Mountains Field Studies McCarthy, Alaska The Wrangell Mountains Center is a non-profit research, humanities and education institute located in McCarthy in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. The Center hosts programs promoting understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the land and its communities.
Our curriculum explores landscape structure and processes, from tectonic uplift through glacial-interglacial cycles and anthropogenic climate change. We conceptualize climate-mediated changes to landscape structure as complex systems difficult to model or predict, linked by the flow of material and energy across wide temporal and spatial scales. Our focus includes local ecology, geophysical processes, glaciology, systems science, and land management (natural resource management and land use policy) in changing historical contexts. Narratives and stories from people with long-term and ancestral connections to these lands are an important part of the course, and are deeply impactful to students beginning research careers, and their lives, in the context of anthropogenic climate change.
To learn more about the program and to apply, please see the Wrangell Mountains Field Studies website.
Applications are currently open and will be considered on a rolling basis. Interviews are scheduled after applications are reviewed.
fieldstudies@wrangells.org - Undergraduate Fall/Spring Internships & Job Opportunities
Organization Position Location Job Description Contact United Nations GIS Internship Flexible - either remote or in-person/hybrid in New York We seek motivated interns to support the work of the United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC). The interns take up assignments within the Data Unit of UNOCC. The Data Unit conducts integrated analysis, modelling and data engineering that informs senior UN leadership and decision-making fora on country risk outlooks, crisis developments, as well as and predictive and historic trends.
The UNOCC is a multi-party entity reporting to the USG for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), through the Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit (EOSG/SPMU) and, on peacekeeping matters, with oversight from the USG for Peace Operations, through the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS). The UNOCC also receives strategic oversight from a Client Board of principals from each of the client entities. The UNOCC provides global situational awareness, crisis and risk management, as well as facilitates cross-pillar analysis and decision-making in the UN. The UNOCC is operationally positioned under the ODCSS between the Department of Political and Peace building Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations.
The intern will support the team in the Production of GIS maps for a variety of purposes and users, including for operational support, advocacy, awareness-raising and strategic planning.
For more information, please see the UN GIS Internship page.
University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, Elsie Hillman Civic Forum Internships & Fellowships Pittsburgh, PA The Elsie Hillman Civic Forum at the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics is excited to share that information is available regarding applications for their civic engagement programming for the 2026-2027 academic year! They have paid and unpaid opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.
Program applications open and are due in Spring 2026, To learn more about each available internship (including application deadlines), please see the institute's website: https://www.elsiehillmanforum.pitt.edu/student-civic-community-engagement-opportunities
iop@pitt.edu - Post-BS/BA Opportunities
Organization Position Location Job Description WSP Geologist Pittsburgh, PA WSP is currently initiating a search for a Geologist in our Pittsburgh, PA office. The work will primarily consist of the practice of geology and/or hydrogeology for safety related subsurface investigations in support of new nuclear power plants. You will serve as a technical professional for in-depth investigations of the geologic profile and aquifers. Responsible for SME innovation and administration; ensuring corporate compliance with all Local, State, and Federal environmental and safety regulations; and providing direction to address current and future environmental challenges in a rapidly changing and complex business climate.
More information about the position is available here: https://emit.fa.ca3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_2001/job/87305
RING Project (multiple universities) PhD Positions Germany (multiple locations) We would like to draw your attention to the 4-year RING project recently funded by the German Research Foundation (extendable to 8 years).
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to join a vibrant, multidisciplinary team formed by 14 PhD students, one postdoc, the lead and associate scientists tackling various science questions in the unique environment of the RING research unit in the fields of laser physics, geodesy, geophysics, hydrology, and seismology.
The project aims at pushing the sensitivity and stability limits of rotational motion sensing with ring laser technology into new realms using approaches from quantum optics and metrology. The ultimate goal is to enable ring laser observations as a complement to classic space-geodetic methods towards more precise, high-rate estimation of Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP). This will lead to a better understanding what affects polar motion and length-of-day variations on small time scales. Furthermore, we plan to develop (trans-) portable ring lasers fit for weak, broadband 6 degree-of-freedom ground motion observations towards better understanding of atmosphere-solid Earth coupling (also relevant for seismic decoupling of gravitational wave detection facilities).
More information, links to the individual research projects and open positions can be found here: https://www.ringlaser.de
Geosyntec Early-Career Environmental Geologist or Scientist Pittsburgh, PA Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for an Early-Career Geologist or Environmental Scientist in our Pittsburgh, PA office, as part of our contaminated site assessment & remediation practice. The position will have the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world situations while also learning the business skills needed for a successful consulting career.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include:
- Fieldwork such as soil, surface water, sediment, soil vapor, and groundwater sampling, drilling and contractor oversight, aquifer testing, geophysical investigations, and/or remediation system operation and maintenance;
- Chemical data and contaminant fate & transport evaluation;
- Groundwater and soil remedy evaluation, cost estimation, and implementation;
- Aquifer testing and hydrogeologic data analyses;
- Groundwater modeling and 3D data visualization;
- Environmental due diligence, regulatory compliance services, and permitting;
- Data analysis, including preparing maps, tables, soil boring logs, cross sections and figures;
- Preparation of technical reports, letters, memoranda, plans, specifications, and proposals; and
- Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.
For more information and to apply, please see the Geosyntec Environmental Geologist or Scientist posting.
University of Canterbury Funded PhD Opportunities Christchurch, New Zealand The University of Canterbury is pleased to advertise three funded PhD scholarships:
- Computational modelling of pyroclastic density currents and associated seismic and acoustic signals: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/about-uc-research/research-specialities-and-projects/research-projects/simulating-seismic-and-acoustic-signals-from-pyroclastic-density
- Distributed acoustic sensing at volcanoes and geysers: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/about-uc-research/research-specialities-and-projects/research-projects/distributed-acoustic-sensing-at-volcanoes0
- Studying ancient glaciers in New Zealand using field mapping and cosmogenic exposure dating: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/about-uc-research/research-specialities-and-projects/research-projects/a-land-of-ice-and-rising-mountains--understanding-the-climate-te
Please see the links above for more details, and direct any questions to Leighton Watson (leighton.watson@canterbury.ac.nz).
New Mexico Tech Seismological Observatory GIS Specialist I or II Socorro, NM The position requires initiative for self-directed technical support of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology’s Geologic and Aquifer Mapping Programs. This position also requires collaboration within a team, and various members of the bureau staff and external authors. The position requires excellent communication skills.
Duties may include (but are not limited to): utilizing many aspects of GIS software, designer software Adobe CC (Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign desired), the use of internet technology, and the use of database software. The desired applicant would have the working knowledge of the steps and processes involved in producing well-executed GIS and cartographic products, the ability to problem-solve complex GIS and geoscience concepts, and basic technical editing.
The position is supported in entirety by soft-money contracts, and the continuation of the position is contingent on contract awards for subsequent years.
For more information, please see the GIS Specialist posting.
Apply to: nmtjobapps@npe.nmt.edu.
New Mexico Tech Seismological Observatory Research Associate I/Seismic Analyst Socorro, NM The analyst will use SeisComP and other seismological tools to locate earthquakes in New Mexico on a daily basis. The analyst will also help carry out field work related to seismic monitoring in New Mexico and help in maintaining the seismic data acquisition systems at NMT.
For more information, please see the Research Associate I posting.
Applications will be reviewed as received, and the positions will remain open until filled. To apply for these positions, please fill out the application form available on https://www.nmt.edu/hr/employment.php and email it along with other documents as mentioned in the Position Announcement to nmtjobapps@npe.nmt.edu. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Urbi Basu (urbi.basu@nmt.edu).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Darrin Freshwater Institute Research Specialist Fredonia, NY Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Is seeking to hire a motivated full-time Research Specialist or Senior Research Specialist working on The Jefferson Project at Chautauqua Lake. The Jefferson Project was founded as a multi-disciplinary collaboration between RPI, IBM, and the Lake George Association. It expanded to Chautauqua Lake in 2020 with a partnership with the Chautauqua Institution. The Project emphasizes a sophisticated technological approach to studying freshwater and lakes, in particular. A central goal of the Project is to understand the impact of human activity on freshwater and how to mitigate those effects.
Please see the following resources: