Reports to: Blue Parks Director 

Location: Remote

Period: 12 weeks with the possibility of extension, start date flexible beginning in late June or July 2026

Hours: 20 hours per week, minimum

Position Overview:

As a leader in the global movement to protect and recover the integrity of vast ocean areas, Marine Conservation Institute uses the latest science to identify important marine ecosystems around the world and advocate for their protection. Our unique effectiveness comes from our vision, expertise, and willingness to partner with others. Interns gain hands-on experience in conservation science, marine protected area (MPA) evaluation, and science communication.

To safeguard marine ecosystems on a global scale, Marine Conservation Institute launched Blue Parks. Blue Park Awards incentivize governments to protect marine life by recognizing effective marine protected areas that meet a science-based standard. We aim to catalyze strong protection for at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030, enough to avert the extinction of most marine life.

Blue Parks Science Interns train closely with the program director and help evaluate MPAs for Blue Park Awards. They conduct research on nominated MPAs and write evaluation reports. Interns also have the opportunity to contribute to the Institute’s blog, On the Tide.

What Interns Gain:

Blue Parks Science Interns develop practical skills at the intersection of marine science, conservation policy, and science communication. Working with the Blue Parks team, build real fluency in MPA science and policy by evaluating nominated sites against a rigorous, science-based standard used globally. Marine Conservation Institute provides interns with ongoing education in marine conservation and training in real world application of science to conservation.

Interns leave the program with experience synthesizing scientific literature and management documents into clear, professional reports – a skill directly transferable to graduate research, agency work, or conservation careers. Those who contribute to On the Tide also gain experience translating technical science for a broader public audience.

Beyond technical skills, interns gain exposure to how a science-based conservation program operates at the international level, including how science informs advocacy and how partnerships with governments and MPA managers advance protection goals. Through engagement with MPA management teams and conservation partners around the world, interns also begin building a professional network in the marine conservation science community. The remote work structure builds professional communication and self-direction skills increasingly valued across conservation and research sectors.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in marine science or a related relevant field (current master's students are also encouraged to apply.)
• Understanding of ocean conservation issues and familiarity with marine protected areas
• Experience reviewing scientific literature
• Experience or interest in reviewing management and policy documents
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Effective at working independently
• Proactive communicator who thrives in a remote work environment
• Professional working proficiency of English language; additional language skills highly desirable

Responsibilities may include:

Research activities:

• Research and compile information on MPAs from around the world from scientific publications, management documents, and policies
• Synthesize research into clear, professional reports
• Engage with MPA management teams and partners to gather and clarify information

Conservation program assistance:

• Assist with communications, such as writing blog articles
• Explore and brainstorm a variety of activities and opportunities that will advance the program’s goals

Compensation: This is an unpaid voluntary internship with a $1,000 stipend available to U.S.-based interns to offset home office expenses. We welcome international applicants; however, we cannot support visas or provide financial support.

We are happy to work with interns and their universities to obtain academic credit for internship work. It is the intern’s responsibility to negotiate this relationship with their institution and verify that the internship training and experience meets academic credit requirements.