Gaining hands-on experience through an internship or research position in water prepares you for a career in water. The Freshwater Collaborative works with partners in industry, government agencies, nonprofit/advocacy and others to connect students to potential employers. Check back often for new postings.
Do you have a position to post? Email us at freshwater-collab@uwm.edu.
Summer Internship with Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group
The Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group at UW-Stout will hire six student interns for the summer 2026 field season. The RCBMG is led by faculty and staff in the UW-Stout Biology Department focusing on the sources of and solutions to surface water problems in the impaired Red Cedar watershed. Student interns will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects focusing on:
- Nutrient pollution and harmful toxins in lakes
- Stream restoration impacts on water quality and macroinvertebrate communities
- Beaver population biology
- Spatial patterns of land use and water quality
Interns receive a salary of $5,200 plus scholarship funding to enroll in UW-Eau Claire’s Advanced Freshwater Experience course, which takes place for three weeks beginning the end of May. You may also potentially earn internship credits for your experience.
Required Qualifications
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a life or physical science at a Universities of Wisconsin campus
- Valid driver’s license
- Ability to work in a variety of conditions in the field with a positive attitude
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with common GIS applications
- Wisconsin boater license (currently holding or willing to obtain)
- Transportation (mileage reimbursement available for research travel)
- Experience collecting environmental data including water sampling and laboratory analysis, vegetation sampling, insect sampling,or other field-based projects
- Familiarity with the ecosystems of the Upper Midwest
Apply by sending a resume and cover letter to Dr. Nicole Hayes, Assistant Professor, hayesn@uwstout.edu with the subject heading “2026 FCW summer internship_your name”
For full consideration, submit your application materials by Dec. 1, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Download a campus flyer
Read a story about last year’s crew!
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene Summer Internships
The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is hiring 10+ summer interns through the Association of Public Health Laboratories. These positions provide hands-on experience in environmental and public health testing, with opportunities across areas like water microbiology, environmental chemistry, toxicology, and sample receiving.
Students will gain exposure to lab operations, data management, and quality systems while working alongside scientists at Wisconsin’s public health lab in Madison. The pay is $20+ per hour. Positions will run May 15 or June 1, 2026, through Aug. 30, 2026 (with possible extension). Interns should have 4–8 hour blocks of time available on weekdays between 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Ideal candidates will be available 30+ hours per week. Some limited weekend work may be required.
Applications are open through Dec. 12. The posting is available on Handshake. Students can also apply directly at: https://submit.aphl.org/
Full details also available here.
Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program
Ready for a transformative summer in freshwater science? The Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program offers paid, hands-on summer research experiences across 13 Universities of Wisconsin campuses. Work with leading scientists, explore real-world challenges, and build skills that will shape your future. Research experiences will take place at UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Stevens Point and in Manitowoc, WI.
What You’ll Gain:
- Hands-On Mentorship: Collaborate with faculty and research teams on meaningful projects that go beyond the classroom.
- Research Skills That Set You Apart: Strengthen your scientific expertise and discover new capabilities through immersive experiences.
- Science Communication Experience: Learn how to share your findings effectively and present your work at our summer research symposium.
- Graduate School Insights: Get practical advice from current graduate students and faculty to help you plan your next steps.
- Career Exploration: Discover diverse opportunities in freshwater science—from research to policy to industry.
Applications open: Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026
Program dates: May 26 – Aug 1, 2026
More info and apply at Freshwater@UW Info & Application
Download a campus flyer
Clean Boats, Clean Waters 2026 Summer Internships
Located in beautiful northern Wisconsin, this Clean Boats Clean Waters (CBCW) program focuses on Aquatic Invasive Species in the Vilas County area providing information to boaters about AIS prevention. Interns inspect boats, trailers, tow vehicles and related equipment for aquatic invasive species and upload data to the Wisconsin DNR database.
Interns receive gross income of at least $6,000 for the summer plus travel reimbursement and housing. For more information, visit Handshake or contact the ERIC Lab at eric@uwosh.edu. Positions to be filled ASAP.
Summer Research and Internship Opportunities through UW Oshkosh Environmental Research and Innovation Center
UW Oshkosh has multiple hands-on summer research and internship experiences through its Environmental Research and Innovation center. These positions are open to undergraduates enrolled at any university. Positions are filled as people apply. All positions are typically filled by January.
Interns receive a salary of $6,000-$7,000 for the summer, paid travel, and paid housing. Students are encouraged to sign up for internship credit to document the academic component of their experience. This can be through their department or through the Department of Engineering & Engineering Technology (ET 400).
Students have opportunities to learn field and lab techniques, operate a state-certified laboratory, network with professionals in the field, co-author posters and publications, and live in a great part of Wisconsin for the summer.
Call or e-mail Dr. Greg Kleinheinz if would like additional information on any of these summer experiences. If you are interested in applying for a position, please send a resume and indicate which position you would be interested in to: Dr. Greg Kleinheinz, ERIC Laboratory, kleinhei@uwosh.edu, 920-424-1100.
Door County Field Research Assistant (4-5 positions)
These positions support US EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) projects associated with Great Lakes beaches and Door County, WI. The beaches have undergone, reengineering to mitigate microbial and chemical pollution and protect public health. You will conduct field research, operate a local lab facility, and be involved with many aspects of the research projects. This group also manages the public water testing laboratory at Crossroads at Big Creek as well as the Washington Island well sample drop-off site. The group will manage and be responsible for all aspects of the state-certified laboratory at Crossroads at Big Creek where they will analyze drinking water samples for coliforms and E.coli. They will also conduct bathymetric surveys of lakes, field chemistry monitoring of local streams, and other environmental monitoring projects.
Manitowoc County Field Research Assistant (2 positions)
These positions support U.S. EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) projects associated with Great Lakes beaches. This location will also have responsibilities to use aquatic and beach sand drones for the collection of marine debris for removal and characterization. You will conduct field research, operate a local lab facility, and be involved with many aspects of the research projects. The interns will conduct the beach sampling for Manitowoc and Kewaunee County as well as operate the state-certified laboratory within the Manitowoc Health Department where they will analyze drinking water samples for coliforms and E.coli.
Well Water Testing Positions (2-3 positions)
Two well water testing technicians will be hired to lead the sampling and lab analysis of transient non-community public water systems in Vilas County, WI. One position will be the lab manager and one will be the well testing lead intern. Together these positions will manage the water-testing lab at Lowenwood, operated by UW Oshkosh, and conduct all transient non-community well testing operations. Both interns will conduct well inspections, collect well water samples, and analyze samples at the testing laboratory. The interns will be responsible for working with UW Oshkosh ERIC staff to make sure well water sample collection stays on schedule throughout the summer. All training will be provided, but excellent organizational and follow-through skills are needed.
LAKES REU Summer Opportunities at UW-Stout
The LAKES REU is recruiting eight students from ANY university to join its 10th cohort June 7-Aug. 8, 2026. The REU is funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense ASSURE program.
The program aims to better understand the root causes of phosphorus pollution and solutions to the problem, while providing students with an interdisciplinary research experience led by mentors in
- biology
- psychology
- anthropology
- political science
- economics
- computer science
In addition to research, students will have the opportunity to work closely with our community and governmental partners, local citizens, and policy makers. Students will present their work at the end of the summer and will get to see their research directly impact the community around them.
Housing, stipends, and funds for food will be provided to accepted students. UW-Stout will also provide funding for students to present their research at a national conference in the year following their summer research. Students should be available for the entire duration of the summer program and should not be working or taking classes during that time.
More information about the program, past research, the application process and a link on How to Apply can be found at www.uwstout.edu/lakes. Applications are due on Feb. 1, 2026.
Jobs Boards
Conservation Job Board (nationwide postings)
Wetland Jobs Board webpage (Wisconsin Wetlands Association)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources