Internships Currently Offered:
 

Each department has their own internship program, application, and deadlines based on their needs so it is very important to look at the department you are interested in to fill out the correct application and send in all the correct application materials by the deadline for that department. Information is not shared between departments. If you are interested in more than one internship you must apply for each internship you are interested in separately.

Research Internship

DEADLINE EXTENDED!  Late Winter/Early Spring 2025 Research Internship!  The new deadline is January 15th.

Program Description

The IMMS Research Internship Program is designed to provide exceptional research and learning experiences in a real-world settings to early career scientists in the fields of marine biology and ecology, marine mammal population ecology and behavior, veterinary sciences, and conservation. In this internship, you will primarily assist in the Institute’s Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Program in collecting and processing photographs of bottlenose dolphins in the Mississippi Sound as well as other research projects at IMMS that may involve other aspects of photo-ID, including social dynamics, habitat use, and population health. Interns will also participate in other diverse operations at IMMS when needs arise, including: assisting the IMMS Stranding Department, veterinary research, aquaria maintenance and animal care (bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, rays, starfish, birds, reptiles, etc.), and marine education and conservation. Our goal is to give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience in marine science research.

Principle Duties and Requirements

    • Commit to a minimum of 12 weeks. The internship can be extended depending on work performance.
    • Be available to work Mon-Fri and must be available for boat- based surveys. Some field days may fall on the weekends.
    • Have a strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to admit mistakes.
    • Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills.
    • Be comfortable working behind a computer for 8 hours per day.

Principle Duties include: data entry, learning all research protocols, cropping and sorting photo-ID fin images, learning to use photo-ID programs such as finFindR (fin matching software), FinBase (Microsoft Access) ArcGIS and Adobe Bridge, collect photograph-based data and enter it into Microsoft Excel, boat based field research (21’ boat), and completing an assigned project by the end of internship.

 Secondary Duties include: assisting animal care staff, attending marine mammal necropsies, responding to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, assisting with educational staff, conducting literature reviews, collecting and managing fisheries, habitat and environmental data, and investigating ecological factors and relationships.

 Field Days: Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water and on shore in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 °F in summer to 30 °F in winter. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur seven times per month, weather permitting (this does not guarantee you will be on the boat every time).

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be 18 or older and must have a genuine interest in marine research. Applicants should be actively pursuing a college degree or be a recent graduate in oceanography, marine science/biology, biology, or a related field. Previous research experience in any capacity is a plus. Applicants must be able and willing to fulfill all duties outlined for this internship program.

 This is an unpaid position and interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will assist interns in finding rooms available to rent, usually with other staff members. Interns are also reimbursed $30 per week for grocery items. Please check the FAQ, as it may answer additional questions you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

To Apply:

DEADLINE EXTENDED! 

Late Winter/Early Spring 2025 Research Internship!  The new deadline is January 15th.

Please send the following documents to researchintern@imms.org with “Research Internship” in the subject line:
• IMMS Research Internship Application: Save the application in pdf form to your computer FIRST then fill out the form, otherwise your information will not save to the form when emailed.
• Full Resume: Include computer skills and proficiencies volunteer/intern/research experience, and/or other accomplishments
• Two Letters of Recommendation: Provide at least one academic and one work/volunteer related reference, if applicable.  Letters may be emailed from the applicant or the person providing the recommendation letter.
• A One to Two Page Statement of Interest: Describe your background, pertinent experiences and interest, accomplishments and how this internship will benefit you. If you believe you may have difficulty complying with one or more of the required duties or responsibilities due to a physical limitation or other reason, please address these concerns in the statement of interest and include questions found on the application form.
• College Transcript: Applicants may submit and unofficial copy.

Example:

2024Aug_Jane_Doe_Resume,

2024Aug_Jane_Doe_Statement,

2024Aug_Jane_Doe_Transcript,

2024_Jane_Doe_Application.


Animal Care Internship

Program Description

The IMMS Animal Training Internship Program is designed as a way for students/individuals interested in a career in animal care and training to gain valuable experience in a real-world setting. Interns will primarily be trained in aspects of animal care, but will also participate in other activities at IMMS. Our goal is to give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience. This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will be able to assist interns in suggesting suitable housing and locations. Positions are limited. IMMS reserves the right to end an internship at any time.

Eligibility Requirements

Interns must be:
• 18 years or older.
• A recent graduate or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences.
• Willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position.
• Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The internship can be extended depending on work performance.
• Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in extreme conditions.
• Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn.
• Financially stable enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS staff will do their best to assist you in making arrangements.
• Able to comply with IMMS rules and regulations.

Dates:

Term:                           Deadline to apply:

Spring (Feb-April)       December 1

Summer (May-Aug)    March 1

Fall (Aug-Nov)            June 1

Winter (Nov-Feb)       September 1

Duties: The IMMS animal care and training staff is in charge of caring for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and large parrots. Interns will work directly with animal care staff and be exposed to all aspects of the daily routine. Heavy emphasis is placed on basic tasks such as food preparation, and daily cleaning and facility maintenance. Interns will learn how to train animals with operant conditioning through observation and may assist during sessions. Enrichment is very important to the well-being of our animals and interns will be asked to design and implement an enrichment device for our dolphins and/or birds. Interns will also give educational presentation to guests before they interact with our animals, as well as help staff with daily water quality. Because we want interns to have a well rounded experience, they will also be asked to assist in other departments. Interns may participate as 1) environmental educators and assist in giving presentations to the public, 2) research assistants that help with our many wild dolphin based research studies, or 3) emergency responders as IMMS is part of the Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network and responds to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. Please check the FAQ link, as it may answer other questions you may have.

To Apply:
Please send the following documents to: Animal Care Internship at acintern@imms.org with “Animal Training Internship” in the subject line.

  • IMMS Animal Training Internship Application
  • Resume with cover letter.
  • Two letters of recommendation – Provide at least one academic, and one work/volunteer- related reference if applicable. Letters may be emailed from the applicant or the person providing the recommendation letter.
  • A copy of your current official college transcript. Applicants may submit an unofficial copy.
  • Full photograph

Documents must be in one of the following formats – PDF, .doc, .docx, and must be submitted together with your first and last name and the date in the file name.
Ex)
2024Aug_Jane_Doe_Resume,
2024Aug_Jane_Doe_Application,
2024Aug_Jane_Doe_Transcript.

Aquarist/Education Summer Internship Application

Summer Aquarist Internship Now Accepting Applications

Thank you for your interest in our Aquarist / Education Internship through the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. Your submission of this application signifies that you have read and are able to comply with the following conditions. Interns must be:

  • 18 years or older, and a recent graduate or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences or education.
  • Comfortable working with audiences “K-to-Gray”, but especially elementary school aged children. Able to work outside in the HEAT and HUMIDITY typical of summers on the Gulf Coast.
  • Able to swim and be comfortable getting in the water everyday
  • Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in extreme conditions.
  • Able to lift 50 lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in extreme conditions.
  • Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week.
  • Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. IMMS operates 7 days per week and has some morning and evening programs, so your work week may not be 9AM – 5PM, Monday – Friday.
  • Comfortable with public speaking and using a microphone.
  • Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of responsibility, good organizational skills, and a strong willingness to learn.
  • Willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position, and financially stable enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS staff will do their best to assist you in making arrangements.
  • Able to comply with IMMS rules and regulations.

To Apply –

Please send the following documents to hr@imms.org with “Aquarist/Education Internship” in the subject line

  • IMMS Aquarist / Education Internship Application (Save the application in pdf from to your computer FIRST then fill in the form. Otherwise, your information will not save to the form when emailed.)
  • Full resume with cover letter.
  • References – At least two letters of recommendation are required. Provide at least one academic, and one work/ volunteer-related reference if possible. Include name, phone number, and email address.
  • A copy of your current college transcript. Applicants may submit an unofficial copy.
  • A one or two page statement of interest – describe your background, pertinent experiences, interests, and accomplishments (include how this internship will benefit you). If you believe you may have difficulty complying with one or more of the required duties or responsibilities due to a physical limitation or other reason, please address these concerns in the this statement.

Documents must be in one of the following formats – PDF, .doc, .docx, and must be submitted together with your first and last name and the date (yyyy/Month) your internship would begin in the file name. Ex: 2024 May_Jane_Doe_Resume, 2022 May_Jane_Doe_Statement, 2022 May_Jane_Doe_Transcript

IMMS Aquarist/ Education Summer Internship Application

The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is an equal opportunity employer.

Veterinary Externship:
MSU-CVM Marine Animal Veterinary Externship
at
IMMS

Program Description:
We are excited to offer a Veterinary Externship Program through Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU-CVM) for students in our Veterinary and Stranding Department at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS). Students will work directly with MSU-CVM’s attending veterinarian, and the Stranding Department staff. As an extern, you will receive varying degrees of exposure to marine mammals, sea turtles, elasmobranchs, birds, and reptiles. Seasonal variations in scheduling and training may occur, with an emphasis placed on different species at different times of the year.

The Veterinary Medical Experience:
Under the direct supervision of MSU-CVM’s attending veterinarian, students will participate in many aspects of zoological and wildlife medicine including physical exams, minor surgical procedures, ultrasound, phlebotomy, gastroscopy, necropsies in both the field and laboratory, anesthesia, daily rounds, collecting diagnostic samples, and much more. Students will likely have the opportunity to cross-train with animal trainers, researchers, and aquarists.

Expectations:
Veterinary externs are expected to complete a short clinical research project pertaining to their time at IMMS and give a 20-30 minute presentation to Veterinary and Stranding staff members upon completion of their Externship. Students can expect to work, Monday through Friday from 9am – 5 pm during the summer hours, or 8am – 4pm during the winter hours, with weekends on-call, and the expectation to respond to potential emergency and rescue events of cetaceans and sea turtles.

Eligibility:
Positions are available at this time for 3rd and 4th year veterinary students that are currently enrolled in a veterinary curriculum at an AVMA-accredited University.

Allied Institutions:
Mississippi State University- College of Veterinary Medicine

Time Length:
Presently 2 weeks (with plans to extend the program length in the near future)

Compensation:
Unpaid

Insurance:
Students are responsible for providing their own health insurance during the externship program.

Housing:
Students are responsible for providing their own transportation and making arrangements for their own housing. Occasionally, IMMS staff members may have rooms available for 2 week rentals. We are happy to contact staff to help identify housing arrangements whenever possible.

Application Materials:

To Apply for the Externship, please visit https://bit.ly/MSSTATEMarineExternship

Questions are to be submitted to Dr. Debra P. Moore at vetextern@imms.org

Stranding Internship

Sea turtle with hat 9-2018
Program Description

The IMMS Stranding internship is designed as a way for students and recent graduates interested in a career in marine sciences to gain valuable experience in a real world setting.  As an intern you will be trained in field response to stranded live and dead sea turtles and dolphins.  You will have the opportunity to assist with necropsies of dolphins and sea turtles both in the field and in our lab.  As an intern you will additionally have the opportunity to gain experience in husbandry and medical treatments for live rescued sea turtles and dolphins. Interns may additionally have the opportunity to assist veterinary staff with medical procedures on resident animals and participate and assist staff in other departments at IMMS to include Animal Care, Education, and Research.

Requirements
Interns must be:
  • 18 years or older.
  • A recent college graduate or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences.
  • Willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position.
  • Able to commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week.
  • Available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
  • Able to lift 50lbs.
  • Able to work long hours on your feet and work outside in all weather conditions.
  • Able to maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn.
  • Able to handle the sight of blood and acrid smells.
  • Financially stable enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS staff will do their best to assist you in making arrangements.
  • Able to comply with IMMS protocols, rules, and regulations.
 Principle Duties
The IMMS stranding staff works in cooperation with state and government agencies to respond, document, and report sea turtle and dolphin strandings in the State of Mississippi.  Interns are directly involved in this process working with the stranding staff and veterinary staff to collect data and samples, perform necropsies, and fill out the appropriate stranding paperwork.  Interns will be trained on how to collect morphometric data as well as appropriate tissue samples in the field.  They will have the opportunity to work with the veterinarians on staff while performing full necropsies in our lab and will gain valuable experience in identifying anatomy and medical abnormalities in sea turtles and dolphins.  Interns will perform daily tasks including cleaning, running our stranding hotline, feeding and basic husbandry of our rehabilitation animals, and water quality procedures.  Interns will additionally participate in beach surveys on UTV to locate strandings and possible sea turtle nesting activity.

Every year is different in the stranding department depending on the type and number of cases we receive.  As such, interns one year may not have the same experiences or opportunities as interns from another year.  If possible, interns may have the opportunity to assist veterinary staff with medical procedures both on rehabilitated and resident animals.  This will include processing bloodwork and other diagnostic tests and restraining for exams, blood draws, ultrasounds, radiographs, and other procedures.  Interns may also participate in the release of our rehabilitated animals that are ready to be returned to the wild.

Internship Dates
The busy season for the Stranding Department is February 1– August 31 every year.  We, therefore, only offer internship opportunities during those months.  Internships last for 12 weeks (at minimum).  There are two internship terms:

Winter/Spring: internships run from February – May with flexible start and end dates.

Deadline to apply: November 15

Summer: internships run from May – August with flexible start and end dates.

Deadline to apply: March 1

To Apply
To apply, please send the following documents by email to stranding@imms.org with “Stranding Internship” in the subject line:
  • Submit Completed– IMMS Stranding Internship Application
  • Full resume – Include computer skills and proficiency, volunteer experience, and/or other accomplishments.
  • Two letters of recommendation – Provide at least one academic, and one work/volunteer related letter if applicable. Letters may be emailed by the applicant or the person writing the recommendation letter.
  • A one- to two-page statement of interest – describe your background, pertinent experiences and interests, accomplishments, and how this Internship will benefit you. Also address the questions found on the application form in your letter.
  • A copy of your current college transcript– this can be an unofficial copy.
Documents must be in one of the following formats – PDF, .doc, .docx, and must be submitted together with your first and last name and the internship year and term for which you are applying in the file name. Examples:  
2024_Summer_Jane_Doe_Resume
2024_Summer_Jane_Doe_Statement
2024_Summer_Jane_Doe_Transcript
2024_Summer_Jane_Doe_Application