Right Whale Ecology Program Internships

RWEP Internship Program

Thank you for your interest in internship opportunities with the Right Whale Ecology Program (RWEP) at the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS).

Each year, RWEP offers two paid, seasonal internships focused on documenting the abundance, distribution, and behavior of North Atlantic right whales and their food resource in Cape Cod Bay and surrounding Massachusetts waters. These internships run from January through May and are advertised in the preceding fall. Due to the structured nature of the program, we do not offer internships outside this period.

Full application details and deadlines will be posted in the Employment & Internships section of the CCS website during the open application period. Internship opportunities are also announced via MARMAM, other relevant listservs, and CCS social media channels.

Internship Positions

RWEP offers two internship roles: Photo-ID Intern and Habitat Intern. Both positions require a full-time commitment from January through May. Interns must be flexible and available for research cruises, which may occur on weekends and holidays, depending on favorable weather conditions.

Photo-ID Internship

The Photo-ID Intern supports the collection and analysis of right whale sightings. Responsibilities include:

• Photographing right whales and collecting behavioral data
• Documenting other sightings (e.g., vessels, fishing gear, other marine species)
• Processing and analyzing images
• Matching individuals to known whales using photo-ID catalogs
• Managing data entry and maintaining field equipment

Habitat Internship

The Habitat Intern supports the collection and processing of zooplankton samples both at sea and in the lab. Responsibilities include:

• Collecting zooplankton using nets and pump systems
• Recording environmental data
• Assisting the Photo-ID Intern with data collection during cruises
• Identifying zooplankton species and conducting plastics analysis in the lab
• Archiving samples, entering data, and maintaining lab and field equipment

If you’re interested in contributing in other ways, the CCS also offers volunteer opportunities, which you can explore on our Volunteer page.