Summer jobs, Summer students, Summer interns

Hiring: Summer Intern (Indigenous)
Type: ages 16 – 30 / summer jobs
Organization: Community Eelgrass Restoration Initiative
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia. Applicants from all over Canada are encouraged to apply. (Preference will be given to residents of Mi'kma'ki)

The project

Eelgrass meadows are a remarkable coastal ecosystem under the waves just steps off the coast of Nova Scotia. They provide important benefits such as supporting traditional and modern fisheries and help to prevent coastal erosion. Many species such as lobster, eel, crabs, and fishes hide, spawn and feed in eelgrass. Eelgrass is also one of the world’s most effective ecosystems for capturing and storing carbon, but it is rarely considered for its potential to lessen the impacts of climate change. Despite the benefits, few people in Nova Scotia know about eelgrass at all!

The Future of Marine Ecosystems lab at Dalhousie University has partnered with the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, and other local organizations and communities, to study eelgrass around the province and re-establish connection to eelgrass through community-led and knowledge-informed restoration.

The role of the Intern

Open to: Indigenous youth aged 16 – 30 years and curious to learn more about scientific work, marine biology, climate change research, and community engagement.

No previous research or fieldwork experience necessary. Must be comfortable operating in and around water.

The intern will support a team of researchers and students at Dalhousie University studying eelgrass meadows around Nova Scotia. This work will involve research in the field and in the lab at various times over the summer. The intern will help with equipment preparation and will provide support in the field, i.e snorkelling/swimming, on a boat, or on the shore. Fieldwork will include (but is not limited to) taking sediment samples and analyzing them in the lab, monitoring eelgrass meadows for seed production and growth, seed harvesting, eelgrass replanting experiments, and environmental DNA sampling. The intern will gain insights into planning and performing scientific experiments, dealing with literature, as well as community outreach and education. Plus, you will get the last half of August off!

Location and Compensation

Location: Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia, with occasional travel to field sites around Nova Scotia. Transport to field sites and equipment will be provided.

Accommodation at the Dalhousie campus and weekly meal budget for the duration of the internship is available upon request.

Honorarium: $25/hr for a total of approx. 8 weeks, 30 hrs/week June – August. Start and end dates slightly flexible.
Work times may vary by week depending on field work and environmental conditions. Some weeks may exceed 30 hours. Extra hours to be taken in lieu.

To apply, please send a short email with some information on yourself and why you’re interested in this internship. We will be accepting applications until April 18th, 2025.
Please note no applications sent after the April 18th deadline will be accepted. As per our funding, this position is only available for Indgienous youth residing within Canada. No other applications will be accepted.

Please email your application to: info@eelgrass.ca

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.