Minnesota Lake Lookout Intern 2026

MNSG Water Resources Extension Educator Hilarie Sorensen tests lake water (left) and an algae bloom spreads in front of a boat (right). Image credit: MNSG.

Interested in working at the intersection of water quality research and community engagement? 

Two major threats to the health of Minnesota lakes are chloride from road salt and water softeners and harmful algal blooms (HABs) from nutrient influx. Both problems can degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems, and HABs pose health risks to humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife. This project seeks to improve understanding of the timing, location, and distribution of chloride and HABs in rural Minnesota lakes. To achieve this, we will use community-based participatory science to establish a collaborative volunteer network to track chloride levels and HABs in local lakes. 

Primary Tasks 

1. Travel to lakes in northern Minnesota to collect water samples to analyse for chloride concentrations and cyanotoxins.
2. Connect and collaborate with community volunteers to assist with field sampling and engagement activities.
3. Intake volunteer collected water samples and conduct analysis for chloride concentrations.
4. Intake algal bloom water samples and prepare samples for cyanotoxin analysis at UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI).
5. Collect, enter, analyse, and visualize water quality data.
6. Assist with volunteer and community engagement activities and events.
    

Helpful Skills 

1. Ability to conduct field work under all outdoor conditions (rain, heat, wind, and bugs).
2. Training in scientific research, including lab and field data collection
3. Have an interest in working with community partners and volunteers
4. Hold a valid driver’s license and good driving record Ability to travel to rural lakes occasionally
5. Be comfortable working in/around water
6. Strong verbal and written communication skills
7. Have fieldwork /research/outdoor experience

Water Recreation Safety and Outreach Intern 2026

2025 outreach and education activities, including interns staffing an information booth at a community event, demonstrating a mobile water safety app at a lakeshore, and paddling kayaks on a river as part of a water recreation safety program. Image credit: MNSG. 

Ready to make a splash and impact public safety? 

The Water Recreation Safety & Outreach Internship will enhance equitable access to safe, water-based recreation through public education and community engagement in the Duluth-Superior area. The intern will support the Paddle Safe Twin Ports (PSTP) program, provide community outreach and education on safe water recreation, and support development of a year-round water safety program. 

Primary tasks 

1. Travel to launch sites in Duluth, MN and Superior WI to complete a launch site audit including survey of new sites, providing website updates for PSTP.
2. Provide water safety education and outreach at community events such as Lake Superior Day (July 19, 2026 in Superior, Wisconsin) and through various summer engagement activities.
3. Connect and collaborate with community partners to strengthen existing water safety partnerships and identify new opportunities to improve and broaden safety communication and access.
4. Research top winter water safety concerns and develop cold water and ice public safety messages. 

Helpful skills 

1. Ability to conduct field work under all outdoor conditions (rain, heat, wind, and bugs).
2. Hold a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
3. Confidence in/around water (paddlesports is a plus).
4. Familiarity with the St. Louis River, Duluth-Superior Harbor and/or water safety hazards associated with rivers and Lake Superior.
5. Experience with and/or enthusiasm for paddlesports, including stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and/or kayaking.
6. Good verbal and written communication skills. Interest in outdoor education, environmental education, and/or recreation safety.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Intern 2026

Minnesota Sea Grant fisheries and aquaculture students conducting hands-on work, including holding a fish for sampling, working with plants and tanks in a greenhouse lab, collecting samples in a wetland while wearing waders, and managing water flow in an aquaculture tank. Image credit: MNSG.

Minnesota’s fisheries and aquaculture industries are vital to the state's culture, economy, and communities. The Aquaculture and Fisheries Intern will support Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) staff in the implementation of MNSG’s Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture program and focus area. 

Interns will assist with field and lab data collection, data analysis, and outreach and communication efforts for several MNSG projects including, but not limited to: 

1. Increasing Production of Golden Shiner Bait in Minnesota
2. Egg-to-Market Yellow Perch project that aims to raise food fish in a recirculating aquaculture system
3. Aquaculture Leadership Academy, a professional development course.
4. Steelhead or Salmon? Which Did You Catch?
5. Analyzing angler survey data Aquaculture and fisheries field site visits
6. Minnesota Cattail Collaborative 

Primary tasks 

1. Caring for fish in an aquaculture lab setting.
2. Collect, enter, analyze, and visualize data.
3. Record accurate and detailed field/lab data.
4. Ensure quality control in all aspects and at all stages of data manipulation.
5. Measure, weigh, sort, and identify fish species in lab and field settings.
6. Visit aquaculture farms and help with outreach.
7. Assist with science communication and newsletter content.
8. Visit lake sites to collect plant samples for genetic analysis. 

Helpful skills 

1. Organized, highly responsible, detail oriented, and able to work independently and in a team.
2. Positive attitude with a commitment to staying on schedule and meeting deadlines.
3. Training in scientific research, including lab and field data collection.
4. Basic math skills and experience with simple statistical analysis and software.
5. Experience entering, proofing, manipulating, summarizing, and analyzing data.
6. Experience making charts and graphs using MS Excel and/or R.
7. Ability to work rotating weekends as necessary.
8. Ability to travel occasionally.
9. Ability to swim.

Minnesota Sea Grant is offering three summer undergraduate internships in 2026. Position and project descriptions are above. All three positions use the same application. This webpage is the only place you will see the individual position and project descriptions. 

To apply, go to UMN Jobs, select "students," and enter "371899" in the "Search Jobs" field.

Application deadline: February 20, 2026.

Before applying read the following: 

1. Read the project descriptions before applying. Identify which of the positions you are most interested in.
2. You will need a resume.
3. You will need a cover letter. You must include the name of the project you are interested in on your cover letter. If you're interested in more than one, indicate which project is your first choice, second choice, and third choice. Include a description of the skills you have that are relevant to the project you're most interested in.
4. Questions? See the contact person listed on each project description for more information about that project.