2012 NEFSC Summer Student Internship Opportunities

Woods Hole Lab 166 Water Street Woods Hole MA 02543 http://nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/woodshole/

Troy McInerney and Alex Wilson, 2011 BEB fellows at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium. (Credit: NEFSC/NOAA)

Alex gets a high five from Bumper, one of the Aquarium's two harbor seals, while Elizabeth Benson works with LuSeal. (Credit: NEFSC/NOAA)

NEW! Economic Health Index

Locaton: Social Science Branch, Woods Hole
Leader: John Walden, 508 495-2355, john.walden@noaa.gov

The Social Sciences Branch (SSB) of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center conducts applied economic and sociocultural research on the use and management of commercial and recreational fisheries, protected species resources, marine ecosystems, and the communities associated with fishing. The SSB has the largest concentration of Social Scientists within the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the branch is known for conducting cutting edge research on marine resource issues. Recently, the branch has begun development of an “Economic Health Index” (EHI) to track the financial well-being of the region’s commercial fishing fleets. SSB is offering an exciting opportunity for an intern to work with SSB economists to further develop the index. Tasks undertaken will include extracting data from large databases, performing statistical analysis, gathering data from publicly available websites, and construction of final indices. The intern will have the opportunity to co-author a publication reporting on index trends for a major fishery in the region. There will also be additional opportunities to interact with SSB economists and learn about economic research centered on the region’s commercial and recreational fisheries.  The intern must have good computer skills, including the ability to work with programming languages such as SAS, R, or MATLAB, and be detail oriented.

Aquarist

Location: Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Leader: Kristy Owen, (508) 495-2229, Kristy.Owen@noaa.gov
For more information on the WHSA, visit our website: http://aquarium.nefsc.noaa.gov/

The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is the nation's oldest public research display aquarium, located in the small but busy marine science village of Woods Hole. The collection includes about 140 species of fish and invertebrates common to the continental shelf from Maine to North Carolina, two harbor seals, and sometimes sea turtles held for rehabilitation and eventual release.

The facility is small and an intern gets a great deal of hands-on experience useful in any aquarium or laboratory setting where live specimens are used. The person will work directly for the senior aquarist, but also have opportunities to work with the veterinarian and curator. Duties will include food preparation and animal care, and assisting with maintaining the exhibit and public areas, as well as some interpretive tasks working with visitors. The intern is expected to be a keen observer, to evaluate and report aquatic animal behavior and condition daily, and to assist in treating aquatic animals, conducting field work, and collecting specimens for exhibits. The intern also meets with visitors, serving as an interpreter / educator while carrying out typical job responsibilities. The intern will also be trained to serve as a naturalist on shoreside collecting trips with the public. This position also may involve work with harbor seal environmental enrichment program and harbor seal daily programs. This position may require some heavy lifting (~ 40 lbs.). Biology or animal care background is preferred but not required.

Aquarium Program Assistant

Location: Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Leader: George Liles, (508) 495-2037, george.liles@noaa.gov
For more information on the WHSA, visit our website: http://aquarium.nefsc.noaa.gov/

The WHSA operates a summer intern program for high school students. The high school students spend one to six weeks learning about marine animals, aquarium operations, marine science, and marine resource management issues.

The Aquarium Program Assistant serves as a senior intern, helping to train the high school interns in the care and maintenance of marine animals and helping the interns with special projects. The Programs Assistant also helps the intern program director with administrative and organization tasks such as setting up seminars and field trips. The Program Assistant may also be trained to serve as a naturalist on shoreside collecting walks for the public.

The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is the nation's oldest public research display aquarium, located in the small but busy marine science village of Woods Hole. The aquarium collection includes about 140 species of fish and invertebrates common to the continental shelf from Maine to North Carolina, non-releasable harbor seals, and sometimes sea turtles held for rehabilitation and eventual release.

Some experience with marine animal care and aquarium operations is required. Previous experience in the WHSA High School Intern Program or an equivalent program is desirable. Leadership experience is also desirable. This is an eight to ten week position. Preferred starting date is June 11, although an earlier or later starting is possible.

Library Internship

Location: Woods Hole Laboratory Library
Leader: Jacqueline Riley, (508) 495-2260, jacqueline.riley@noaa.gov

The Woods Hole Laboratory Library offers a summer internship opportunity for a Master's student interested in Marine and Fisheries Science librarianship. This solo-librarian library is located at one of the oldest Marine Fisheries laboratories in the world.

The intern will explore a range of activities, including assistance in designing a web database project of historical documents about the National Marine Fisheries Service in Woods Hole. The intern will also help design and participate in brief projects at other local Marine Science libraries. Skills in web dynamic databases are preferred. Experience in Dreamweaver, Perl, SQL or Oracle would be beneficial. The intern will give a 10-minute oral or visual presentation of her/his summer projects.

Age sample processing and age determination of fish and shellfish

Location: Population Biology Branch, Fish Biology Program
Leader: Richard McBride, 508 495-2244; Richard.McBride@noaa.gov

The Fishery Biology Program has historically provided summer interns with a diverse suite of ‘hands on’ experiences related to age determination, growth, and reproductive biology of fish and shellfish.  Activities typically include the collection and processing of age samples (impressing scales, sectioning otoliths and shell valves, and baking otoliths and vertebrae), processing of freezer samples (mackerel, herring, Young-of-Year, and shrimp), and computerized data entry, auditing, and summarization.  Opportunities for students age 18 or older to participate in NEFSC research vessel cruises are usually available. 

Summer interns in the Fishery Biology Program typically acquire invaluable experience in many basic fishery biology techniques and at-sea fisheries survey sampling which serve them well in educational and career paths.  Along with neighboring institutions Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Marine Biological Laboratory, and Woods Hole Research Center, NOAA Fisheries in Woods Hole represents an east coast Mecca for aspiring marine scientists.

Feeding ecology of harbor and gray seals in the northeast U.S.

Location: Protected Species Branch
Leaders: Gordon Waring, 508-495-2311, Gordon.Waring@noaa.gov or Frederick Wenzel, 508-495-2252, Frederick.Wenzel@noaa.gov

The Protected Species Branch (PSB) seal research program is focused on harbor seal and gray seal ecology, principally in New England (Maine to New York) waters.  Population monitoring of both populations is accomplished by aerial photographic surveys along important haul-out sites.  PSB staff conducts analyses of annual mortality associated with incidental capture in commercial fishing gear, and evaluate the potential impact of other human activities on seal populations. Harbor seal and gray seal diets are examined by 1) analysis of seal scat collected at several haul-out sites on Cape Cod and in Nantucket Sound, and 2) examination of seal stomachs collected from animals accidentally killed in commercial fishing operations.  As part of this ongoing work, a summer intern will process harbor and gray seal stomachs (primarily) and seal scats (secondarily).  Stomach content analysis includes retrieving seal prey hard parts from stomachs, identify, enumerating and measuring fish otoliths and cephalopod beaks, and using this information to estimate important prey by frequency and biomass.  In addition to learning lab techniques, the intern will learn the benefits and limitations of stomach content analysis in light of larger ecological questions.  Additional opportunities in support of the PSB seal research program may be available.

Atlantic salmon scale image analysis applications

Location: Population Dynamics Branch, Atlantic Salmon Research and Conservation Task
Leader: Ruth Haas Castro, 508 495-2302, Ruth.Haas-Castro@noaa.gov

The Atlantic Salmon Research and Conservation Task (ASRCT) monitors emigration of endangered Atlantic salmon smolts in Maine rivers and studies the scales from all life stages to examine growth patterns that may increase extant knowledge of specific river populations and their corresponding adult returns.  The ASRCT summer intern participates in the potential restoration of endangered Atlantic salmon by analyzing scales collected from Maine river smolts, returning adults, and federal hatchery restoration salmon.  While the focus of the intern’s activities will be image analysis applications in the laboratory, there will also be opportunities for field work by either traveling to our Maine Field Station in Orono to participate in river or hatchery sampling and/or by participating at sea in a research survey cruise.  Laboratory activities include scale preparation, aging different salmon life stages using scales, and imaging and measuring scales using state-of-the-art image processing techniques.  Interns will also help to manage the data that they collect by entering, auditing, and processing current and archive scale data.  Potentially, with the guidance of the supervisor, the intern may design and carry out an independent project related to the data collected and analysis activities performed during the internship.  The intern will report on his/her summer research experience by preparing and presenting an oral presentation toward the end of the internship.  The student filling this internship position will have the opportunity to gain valuable field and laboratory techniques as well as to interact with other graduate and undergraduate students, research associates, and career scientists not only at NOAA Fisheries but also in the Woods Hole scientific community which includes The U.S. Geological Society, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Atlantic salmon marine and passage survival

Location: Population Dynamics Branch, Atlantic Salmon Research and Conservation Task
Leader: Timothy Sheehan, 508 495-2215, Tim.Sheehan@noaa.gov

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center offers an exciting internship opportunity to work with the Atlantic Salmon Research and Conservation Task (ASRCT) studying our endangered Atlantic salmon populations.  Marine survival rates for Atlantic salmon populations in the USA are at an all time low and the successful candidate will work with ASRCT scientists on a number of different projects investigating the causes behind this increased mortality.  While the focus of the intern’s activities will be office-based, there will also be opportunities for field work by either traveling to our Maine Field Station in Orono to participate in river or hatchery sampling and/or by participating at sea on a research survey cruise.  The successful candidate will be involved in variety of tasks that fall under three main categories.  First, the intern will support ongoing marine research projects by assisting with the preparation for marine related field work activities, data entry, data auditing, and data summarization.  Second, the intern will provide support for an ongoing project aimed at understanding the interplay between in-river mortality caused by hydroelectric dams, marine mortality, and population persistence.  Finally, the intern will interface with our image analysis laboratory and serve as a co-leader for a study investigating sources of variability in scale pattern analysis of Atlantic salmon.  The intern will report on his/her summer research experience by preparing and presenting an oral presentation toward the end of the internship.  The student filling this internship position will have the opportunity to gain valuable field and laboratory techniques as well as to interact with other graduate and undergraduate students, research associates, and career scientists not only at NOAA Fisheries but also in the Woods Hole scientific community which includes The U.S. Geological Society, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

James J. Howard Lab 74 Magruder Road Highlands, NJ 07732 http://sh.nefsc.noaa.gov/

Climate change effects on fish early-life processes

Location: Ecosystems Processes Division, Coastal Ecology Branch, Life History and Recruitment Group
Leader: Dr. Chris Chambers, (732) 872-3075, chris.chambers@noaa.gov

Project Summary:  This project evaluates the potential effects of climate change on fish populations. Fishes are expected to exhibit increases in metabolic, ontogenetic, and ecological rates as water temperatures increase. Beyond this general expectation of a direct effect of temperature on rates of living, however, we need a refinement of details on relationships between water temperature and key processes in fish life cycles. In addition, the effects on fish of an increased level of ocean acidification – which is rising as a consequence of CO₂ emissions – are largely unknown and represent a new and exciting research front. We are using a combination of field, laboratory, and experimental data to address these topics with respect to resource fish species of the northeastern USA. The student will be directly involved in field monitoring, laboratory experiments, and/or analyses of archived data in addressing a component of this larger research effort. Among other activities in 2012, we will be conducting laboratory experiments on the direct and interactive effects of water temperature and CO₂ (acidity) on embryos and larvae of fish species representative of our local fish fauna.
As part of our research team, the intern will work among other undergraduate and graduate students, research associates, and career NOAA research scientists.  Primary duties and responsibilities will include:

1. Participate in lab-wide open house for public (May 20, 2012) at which the student will join the group in providing oral summaries to public about the group’s research and the student’s expected role in lab research.
2. Participate in weekly internship discussions on topics pertinent to research, graduate school, and careers in science among others.
3. Acquire spawning fish and/or fertilized fish eggs.
4. Implement and maintain laboratory experiments on the joint effects of water temperature and CO₂ on early life features of experimental fish including their growth, development, and survival.
5. Collect, reduce, and summarize data from direct observation and from digital images of embryonic and larval fish.
6. Support role in ongoing laboratory experiments and analyses.

The successful candidate will be (i) willing to work outdoors, on small boat (including overnight cruises), and in laboratory – all potentially requiring some irregularity in work schedule, (ii) computer literate in MS Office applications and adaptable to learn image analysis software (training provided), and (iii) detail oriented, organized, completes assignments, works well individually and as a member of a team, and communicates clearly.

Consequences of exposure to contaminants in fish early life-stages

Location: Ecosystems Processes Division, Coastal Ecology Branch, Life History and Recruitment Group
Leader: Dr. Chris Chambers, (732) 872-3075, chris.chambers@noaa.gov

Inshore habitats are used by a variety of marine and estuarine organisms as a source of prey, location for reproduction, and shelter during vulnerable life-stages. These habitats are also the principal location for the infusion of contaminants into the marine environment. Understanding the extent and nature of contamination along industrialized watersheds, as well as the complexity of potential toxic responses by impacted organisms, remains a significant challenge to researchers and resource managers. We are conducting research that 1) examines the evidence for toxicities in indicator fish species to ecologically relevant contaminants, 2) evaluates the relative toxicities of common PCB congeners as well as natural benthic substrates found within the Hudson River / New York Harbor / Raritan Bay ecosystem, and 3) broadens the set of response variables from those traditionally collected to include sublethal, fitness-related endpoints. Our focus is on contaminant exposures that occur in the early life of fishes and sublethal responses that are expressed soon thereafter (e.g., late embryos, larvae, and young juveniles). We use an experimental laboratory approach and our focus has been on species that are commercially fished (e.g., winter flounder), threatened (e.g., sturgeons), and key members of this ecosystem (e.g., Atlantic tomcod).

As part of our research team, the intern’s duties and responsibilities will include:

1. Participate in lab-wide open house for public (May 20, 2012) at which the student will join the group in providing oral summaries to public about the group’s research and the student’s expected role in lab research.
2. Participate in weekly internship discussions on topics pertinent to research, graduate school, and careers in science among others.
3. Acquire spawning fish and/or fertilized fish eggs.
4. Implement and maintain laboratory experiments on the toxic effects of contaminants on early life features of experimental fish including their growth, development, and survival.
5. Collect, reduce, and summarize data from direct observation and from digital images of embryonic and larval fish.
6. Support role in ongoing laboratory experiments and analyses. The student will work among other undergraduate and graduate students, research associates, and career NOAA research scientists.

The successful candidate will be (i) willing to work outdoors, on small boat (including overnight cruises), and in laboratory – all potentially requiring some irregularity in work schedule, (ii) computer literate in MS Office applications and adaptable to learn image analysis software (training provided), and (iii) detail oriented, organized, completes assignments, works well individually and as a member of a team, and communicates clearly.

New technology for benthic ecology: developing automated methods for analysis of visual imagery

Location: Ecosystems Processes Division, Coastal Ecology Branch
Leader: Dr. Vincent G. Guida, (732) 872-3020 or (732) 872-3042, vincent.guida@noaa.gov

The Coastal Ecology Branch at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) J.J. Howard Laboratory is developing methods for ecological analysis of benthic communities through the use of photographs and videos of the seafloor as alternative to much more labor-intensive collection and sorting of samples from bottom grabs, trawls, and dredges.  Visual imagery of the bottom, its invertebrate and fish fauna and physical attributes offer an unprecedented window on benthic habitats and community ecology with little sampling disturbance that has not been readily available up until recently.  The ability to use such tools is critical to the future of benthic ecology.  Through collaboration with other agencies and academic partners the Coastal Ecology benthic ecology team is accumulating a very large inventory of photographic and videographic imagery from Georges Bank, Hudson Canyon, and the mid-Atlantic continental shelf.  These have been obtained using a drop camera system, an automated underwater vehicle (AUV), and soon also a towed camera vehicle (http://habcam.whoi.edu/index.html).  Indeed, that image inventory is quickly becoming too large for manual analysis.   For this reason, with the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, we are developing a computer station to automate the recognition of organisms in images at a rate far faster than possible by a human viewer.  The intern will be involved in learning to recognize bottom fishes and invertebrates, assisting Coastal Ecology staff in previewing bottom imagery and preparing it for computer examination, learning to use AI software, training the AI program to recognize organisms reliably, and helping staff to develop analysis routines for a wide variety of imagery types and benthic habitats.

Seawater chemistry of Ocean Acidification experiments

Location: Ecosystem Processes Division, Marine Chemistry Branch, Ocean Acidification Program
Leader: Dr. Matthew Poach, 732-872-3040, matthew.poach@noaa.gov

The intern will work on project(s) that are part of NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Research Program.  The overarching goals of this program are 1) to monitor the trends in ocean acidification, 2) to predict how ecosystems will respond to ocean acidification brought on by the burning of fossil fuels, and 3) to provide information that managers can use to address acidification issues.  We are seeking an intern to participate in targeted laboratory studies that are intended to quantify the impact of ocean acidification on marine resource species.  The intern will be focused on the chemistry aspect of the experiment, e.g. implementing, monitoring, and maintaining the acidification treatments along with assessing any changes in water chemistry that result from the presence of experimental organisms.  The project may also entail the collection and analysis of samples from waters along coastal NJ.  This internship provides an opportunity to gain laboratory experience in the development and maintenance of experimental environments and in water quality monitoring.  We are looking for an intern that is detail oriented, organized, and comfortable working with a team.  The intern must also have a basic chemistry background and a willingness to work in both the field (on a boat) and in the laboratory.

Narragansett Lab 27 Tarzwell Drive Narragansett, RI 02882 http://na.nefsc.noaa.gov/

NEW! Economic Health Index

Location: Large Ecosystems Program, Narragansett RI
Leader:  Kenneth Sherman, kenneth.sherman@noaa.gov

The Narragansett Laboratory Large Marine Ecosystem Program offers a summer internship opportunity for a marine biology student interested in the assessment and management of large marine ecosystems (LMEs).

The intern will experience a range of activities, including assistance in organization of data and reports on comparative LME studies, and marine spatial planning.  The intern will be engaged in comparing methodologies for the assessment and management, productivity, fish and fisheries, pollution and ecosystem health, socioeconomics and governance of LMEs including the US Northeast Shelf with other LMEs along the coasts of the United States and elsewhere around the globe.  The student filling the internship position will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience with ecosystem assessment methodologies as well as the opportunity to interact with other students and professional staff at the Narragansett Laboratory along with staff from partnering programs at the URI-Graduate School of Oceanography, Coastal Resources Center, and the Narragansett EPA Laboratory.

Fishing Community Vulnerability and Resilience in the Northeastern United States

Location: Resource Evaluation and Analysis Division, Social Sciences Branch
Leader: Lisa L. Colburn, 401-782-3253, lisa.l.colburn@noaa.gov

This project is an opportunity to work with Social Science Branch staff to evaluate the well-being of fishing communities in the Northeastern U.S.  The Social Sciences Branch is comprised of economists, anthropologists, and human dimensions specialists that assess the impacts of fishery regulations on fishermen, their families, and their communities.   Using secondary data sources such as the U.S. Census and other government databases, current efforts are underway to develop social indicators to be used in the analysis of fishing community vulnerability and resilience in the Northeastern U.S.  Examples of indices used in this analysis include poverty, personal disruption, population composition vulnerability, urban sprawl, natural resource amenities, and coastal hazards.  Using the internet, the summer intern will assist in the collection and compilation of information related to these and other socio-cultural topics. Emphasis will be placed on the assessment of gentrification trends in coastal communities as they relate to the potential loss of commercial fishing industry working waterfront.

Cooperative Shark Tagging Program Assistant

Location: Apex Predators Program, Population Biology Branch
Leader: Dr. Nancy E. Kohler, 401-782-3332, Nancy.Kohler@noaa.gov

The Apex Predators Program of the National Marine Fisheries Service runs a large Cooperative Shark Tagging Program (CSTP) at the NMFS Narragansett RI Laboratory.  Summer assistance is needed for the administration of the CSTP and recovery of historic tagging and longline data.  Duties of this position include: processing shark tag and biological information requests; interfacing with the public on tagging and shark issues; entering shark tagging, longline, and biological data as part of the new multi-species integrated mark-recapture database; and possible fieldwork at shark tournaments.  When you apply, it is very important to reference the Narragansett lab as your choice for employment.

Age and growth of larval fish for use in stock assessments

Location: Ecosystems Processes Division, Oceanography Branch
Leader: Jon Hare, 401-782-3295, jon.hare@noaa.gov

Estimates of larval fish abundance provide fishery-independent estimates of fish population size. Most marine fishes spawn small (~1 mm), pelagic eggs, which hatch into small larvae (2-15 mm). Larvae then develop into juveniles and adults. Larvae are easily collected at sea in plankton nets and the number of larvae is related to the number of adults that produced the larvae. Larval indices are being developed for a range of species in the northeast U.S. shelf ecosystem for use as additional information regarding the abundance of adults. To calculate larval indices, information is necessary regarding the growth of larval fishes and this project will work with scientists in the Oceanography Branch examining interannual variability in larval growth. Larval growth can determined through examination of fish otoliths, which are an internal bony structure on which daily rings form. Otoliths are dissected from a larva, mounted on a slide, and the number of increments counted. By aging individuals over a range of sizes, a size-at-age relationship can be developed and growth rate estimated. These estimates are then used in the calculation of the larval indices. By aging larvae collected over a range of years, interannual variability in larval growth can be quantified. Further, these analyses contribute to an understanding of fish ecology and to the assessment of fish stocks. The project intern will be involved working with larval fish, dissecting otoliths using a dissecting microscope, counting otolith increments using a compound otolith, building larval length and age data tables, and analyzing length and age data to estimate larval growth rate. The project also involves working to communicate the results of this work in presentations, reports and/or scientific papers.

Milford Laboratory 212 Rogers Avenue Milford, CT 06460-6499 http://mi.nefsc.noaa.gov/

James Reidy worked at the Milford Laboratory as a Bradford E. Brown student intern in 2010 and 2011. (Credit: NEFSC/NOAA)

Habitat Assessment of Shellfish Cultivation

Location: Aquaculture and Enhancement Division, Culture Systems and Habitat Evaluation Branch
Leader: Ronald Goldberg, (203) 882-6546, ronald.goldberg@noaa.gov

The Culture Systems and Habitat Branch is assessing the effects of shellfish cultivation and harvest on benthic biodiversity. Physical characteristics of the seafloor will be analyzed and mapped using acoustic gear, seabed classification software, and GIS. Video imagery will be quantitatively analyzed to ground truth acoustic sediment-type classifications. Sediment grab samplers and coring devices will be deployed from the Laboratory's 49' research vessel, the R/V Loosanoff. An intern will also assist in field surveys of benthic organisms and macrofauna. Species of young fish will be identified, enumerated, and compared statistically. Data management, graphic analysis, and development of GIS maps will be part of the assignment. Incumbent should be prepared for regular work in the field, aboard our research vessel.

Shellfish Aquaculture

Location: Aquaculture and Enhancement Division
Leader: James Widman, (203) 882-6508, james.widman@noaa.gov

Currently shellfish aquaculture in the United States is dominated by the production of oysters and hard clams. The Milford Laboratory is conducting research on bay scallops as another candidate species for domestic aquaculture production. We are also examining the effects of ocean acidification on shellfish. Our challenge is to develop sustainable and economical methods of production. You will participate in all phases of scallop culture. Incumbent will work in a research hatchery rearing larval and juvenile scallops under the direction of a research fishery biologist. Duties include assisting in experiments determining optimum feeding regimes required to maximize growth of bivalves. You will learn and utilize innovative automated control systems as well as recording temperatures, pH, dissolved oxygen and other water quality data. You will maintain shellfish stocks while conducting laboratory and field experiments. Microscope work, measuring shellfish and computer skills will be utilized. Incumbent must be able to lift 15 pounds, some work may occur on a research vessel.

Shellfish Genetics and Breeding

Location: Aquaculture and Enhancement Division
Leader: Sheila Stiles, 203-882-6524, Sheila.Stiles@noaa.gov

The focus of the Genetics research program at the Milford Laboratory is to investigate the application of genetics and breeding technology for improving growth and survival rates of bivalves, primarily the commercial bay scallop,  Argopecten irradians, which ultimately could contribute to increased commercial production and recreational harvesting.  Three major approaches are being explored: breeding, population genetics, and field evaluations.  Responses to selective breeding and inbreeding are being determined by developing lines for increased growth and survival.  In addition, genetic diversity of various stocks and populations is being ascertained to support or complement breeding and broodstock management.  Habitat suitability and field evaluations also are being conducted for stock enhancement and restoration, along with line development and assessment of scallops, especially with phenotypic markers. The employee will assist with various projects for evaluating genetic lines, from  spawning adults and rearing of larval and post-set bay scallops, to the collection of data for genetics studies on growth and survival.   Tasks include providing assistance in the maintenance and operation of shellfish culture facilities, and sampling and measuring scallops of various stages from eggs to adults.  Observations will be made on differences in growth and survival of scallops under various conditions, which could provide opportunities for independent study. There are both laboratory and field components.

National Systematics Lab National Museum of Natural History MRC-153 Smithsonian Institution P.O. Box 37012 Washington DC 20013-7012 http://nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/systematics/

Molecular Systematics of Sponges

Location: National Systematics Laboratory
Leader: Allen Collins, 202-633-0645, Allen.Collins@noaa.gov

Sponges (phylum Porifera) are found in nearly all benthic marine habitats and often serve important ecological functions, e.g., hosting other animals and microbes, providing physical structure, bierosion, etc. From the perspective of systematics, sponges are one of the most challenging groups. With simple morphologies and ancient divergences, sponge species are difficult to identify and classify. We are addressing this problem though a large, collaborative project to assemble the poriferan tree of life. By sampling sponges from around the world for molecular sequence and morphological data, we aim to enhance understanding of sponge diversity and evolution. The student will join a dynamic environment of researchers working at the Smithsonian’s Laboratories for Analytical Biology and participate in amplifying, sequencing and analysing molecular markers from a diverse set of poriferan taxa.

 

 

Orono Maine Field Station 17 Godfrey Drive, Suite 1 Orono ME 04473 http://nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/orono

Laura Williams, a 2011 Bradford E. Brown Summer Student intern, on the Penobscot Estuary. (Credit: NEFSC/NOAA)

Molly Good and Laura Williams conduct fyke netting on the Penobscot estuary in the summer of 2011 as part of the Station's estuarine fish community and ecosystem survey. (Credit: NEFSC/NOAA)

Atlantic salmon population dynamics investigations

Location: Population Dynamics Branch, Atlantic Salmon Research and Conservation Task
Leader: John Kocik, 207-866-7341, John.Kocik@noaa.gov

The Maine Field Station offers an exciting internship opportunity to work with endangered Atlantic salmon in both field and laboratory settings.  The intern will spend approximately 25% of his/her time in the field sampling Atlantic salmon and other diadromous species using various trapping and capture methods (rotary screw traps, electrofishing, netting).  This hands-on work will involve assisting with the implementation of several mark-recapture studies, and using advanced sampling technologies (ultrasonic telemetry and/or SONAR) to track salmon movements.  Field activities will also include population and habitat surveys conducted by cooperating agencies; the successful applicant may also have the opportunity to participate in a research cruise.  The laboratory component, which will comprise approximately 25% of the internship, will involve inventorying and preparing the scale and tissue samples collected during field activities for future analysis.  Lab activities may also include some scale analysis and ageing.  Finally, 50% of the intern’s time will be spent entering, managing, and analyzing the field data; preparing literature briefs; and working closely with NOAA scientists on current research projects, including tag recapture analysis.  At the end of the internship period, students will prepare and present an oral presentation of her/his summer work/research experience.

Penobscot Estuary Diadromous Fish Community Survey

Location: Population Dynamics Branch, Atlantic Salmon Research and Conservation Task
Leader: John Kocik, 207-866-7341, John.Kocik@noaa.gov

The Maine Field Station offers a unique internship opportunity within Maine’s Penobscot River Estuarine project, a pioneering attempt to quantify the spatial and temporal variability in fish assemblages in the estuary with a particular emphasis on diadromous species. The Penobscot estuary is used as a migratory route by many diadromous species including two endangered species, Atlantic salmon and shortnose sturgeon, and four species of concern: Atlantic sturgeon, alewife, blueback herring, and rainbow smelt.  Scientists are developing capture techniques and survey methods to quantify the fish community structure and measure the physical habitat and environmental variables that may predict distributions. Techniques for fish capture will include, but are not limited to, beach seining, fyke netting and mid-water/pelagic trawling.  The project is in its infancy and therefore the intern will be given some freedom to develop their own role within the scope of the project. Field work will encompass 75% of the intern’s time with the remaining 25% being dedicated toward data and sample processing as well as literature review.  Field work will be physically demanding and will be performed in potentially adverse weather including rain, wind and summer heat.  Most work will be conducted from small power boats and may require night-time and/or weekend commitments. At the end of the internship period, students will prepare and present an oral presentation of her/his summer work/research experience.