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.
Co-Ops and Internships with Watts Water
Watts Water is hiring a Mechanical Engineering Intern for summer 2026 in Menomonee Falls, Wisc. Students are also encouraged to apply for internships throughout the country. Learn more about interning at Watts. Apply at Careers and then email wattsinterns@wattswater.com to let us know that you applied through the Freshwater Collaborative partnership!
State of Wisconsin Student Development Internships With WDNR
The State of Wisconsin Student Development Internship Program (SWSDIP) is accepting applications for summer 2026. Multiple water-related positions are available with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Positions are available in the following counties:
- Brown
- Dane
- Door
- Eau Claire
- Forest
- Lincoln
- Marathon
- Milwaukee
- Oneida
- Winnebago
Visit the Division of Personnel Management website to search by study area and county.
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.
Water Policy and Science Communications Graduate Student Research Fellowship
The Center for Water Policy at UW-Milwaukee is seeking candidates for a two-year funded Water Policy and Science Communications Graduate Student Research Fellowship. Candidates should be interested in conducting graduate research toward a thesis focused on water policy and science communications as well as publishing papers in scientific journals, writing policy briefs, and communicating research results to broader audiences.
This is a paid fellowship, starting fall 2026 through spring 2028. The Fellow will be enrolled in the water policy thesis track master’s degree at UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences to conduct original thesis research around the topics of water policy, science, and communication. They will also be employed in the Center for Water Policy.
The fall semester 2026 application deadline is January 31, 2026.
Read full job description and application deadlines.
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