Remote Sensing/Spatial Ecology Intern

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. 

The learning objectives:

• Working with handheld, drone, and satellite data to support ecological monitoring
• Processing and analyzing geospatial datasets using platforms such as R, Python, and Google Earth Engine
• Understanding data quality, uncertainty, and how errors propagate when integrating field observations with remotely sensed data
• Assisting with the development of spatial models for mapping ecological patterns and change
• Contributing to data management, visualization, and reporting for ongoing conservation projects

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.

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.