There is a significant amount of work to be done in order to create a science culture where all voices and life experiences are included. Here at MSI, we believe that one important action is to use our resources and expertise to create opportunities for others, especially early career scientists who are under-represented in the geosciences.
To this end, one of the main activities MSI researchers are engaged in is providing research experiences to undergraduates, both UCSB undergrads and those from other campuses. UC Santa Barbara is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and we are very focused on creating positive experiences for our students here, providing a welcoming and exciting on-ramp in the marine science.
Opportunities
Explore the many established research opportunities at MSI, along with currently available research experiences.
Programs
Other opportunities at UC Santa Barbara
The Promise Scholars Program
The Promise Scholar program at UC Santa Barbara empowers high-achieving, first generation students from low-income households.
Gorman Scholar Program
The Gorman Scholars Program provides UCSB undergraduates across all STEM majors with an opportunity to receive invaluable mentoring from faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students mentors while pursuing innovative interdisciplinary research projects.
IGPMS
Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science
The Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science at the University of California Santa Barbara is a multidisciplinary program bringing together marine faculty from across campus to train the next generation of oceanographers and marine scientists.
The CAMP Program
The CAMP program (California Alliance for Minority Participation) provides resources and research internship opportunities to UCSB undergraduates in STEM who identify as an under-represented minority. The program is part of the UC statewide CAMP program. CAMP has several programs including Summer and Academic year Research Internships, and the CAMP Scholars program that provides support towards successful completion of a degree in STEM.
Education and Outreach
Hands-on experience with the natural environment
The REEF
The Research Experience & Education Facility
Oceans-to-Classrooms (O2C) and the REEF endeavour to provide “An Ocean View of the World” to people of all ages to increase science literacy and inspire environmental stewardship of our Ocean resources through education.
Open Positions
Latest opportunities for an immersive involvement in Marine Science
3newable Paid Internship
Internship
Deadline: April 15, 2024
3newable works with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts under awards funded by the US Department of Energy, as well as with Oregon State University for buoy deployment. The internship is located at 3newable’s laboratory in Newark, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Funding is available to cover one intern for up to four months during 2024.
This internship will focus on testing 3newable's WEC, with new control electronics, on 3newable's recently-upgraded laboratory WEC tester. Operating parameters will be chosen to optimize performance for an upcoming test deployment off the coast of Oregon. Motor control programming and mechanical assembly will be required.
Main Qualification
Currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a bachelor's or master's degree program in Mechanical, Electrical, Ocean or Aeronautical Engineering, Physics or similar, having completed at least the first two years, or a combination of relevant technical education and experience.
For more information and a complete list of qualifications download the 3newable flyer.
To apply for this position, please send a cover letter, resume and dates available to Julie Fouquet, jefouquet@outlook.com
Hatchery Technician
Graduate Position
Entity: Ocean Rainforest Inc.
The Hatchery Technician will be responsible for supporting the research and cultivation of laminarian seaweeds, specifically Giant Kelp. They will work in a small, diverse team to understand large-scale kelp cultivation systems and contribute knowledge for upscaling propagation, induction, and seeding of Giant kelp.
To be successful in this role, the hatchery technician should have a strong understanding of marine biology and aquaculture principles, as well as knowledge of laboratory procedures and techniques. They should also possess good communication skills, be detail-oriented, and have the ability to work independently or as part of a team. A degree in marine biology or aquaculture-related field is preferred, but not always required.
Paid: $50,000 - $60,000 depending on experience
Download the job flyer for more information.
Applicants should submit their CV and a letter of intent to: eliza@oceanrainforest.com
Riparian Restoration Assistants
Entity: Lambert Lab
We are looking for motivated students interested in ecological field work—first timers welcome. Paid and internship positions are available for undergraduates to assist with a large ecological restoration project at the Cienega Springs Ecological Reserve in the Santa Clara River (Ventura County). Students will participate in all aspects of restoration including collecting, growing, and planting native plants, weed control, biological assessments, and related research data collection and analysis. Students will be expected to work 15–20 hours per week, split between greenhouse activities on campus and fieldwork at the reserve. Applicants must be able to lift 30 lb and tolerate working in hot conditions, as summer temperatures along the river often exceed 90 degrees. A valid driver's license and transportation (mileage paid) are helpful but not required.
Paid: two paid positions available, internship credit also available
N/A
To apply, students should send a brief email to Jared Williams, jaredwilliams@ucsb.edu, describing why they are interested in the project and any related experience they have. Resumes are encouraged but not required.
Entity: SBC LTER
Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research (SBC LTER) internships are for students interested in kelp forest ecology, marine science and/or scientific SCUBA diving.
If helping run laboratory experiments and participating in field research, including beach surveys and scuba diving, is something of interest to you, apply at SBC LTER Volunteer Application and Waiver.
We encourage all motivated students to apply if you hope to gain invaluable hands-on experience in a marine science lab!
Paid: No
If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to email Darrin Ambat, dambat@ucsb.edu.
Schmidt Fellows Awards, Summer 2024
Undergraduate and Graduate Students (PhD and MA/MS)
Entity: Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory
Deadline: March 15, 2024 | 5 pm
The Schmidt Family Foundation is once again generously funding research and mentorship awards for research in any field with clear links to environmental sciences for UCSB students. For these awards strong emphasis is placed on advancing science that has direct application for environmental problem solving. Additionally, strong emphasis is placed on supporting candidates that contribute to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in environmental sciences. These awards are open to graduate students and undergraduates from all departments within UCSB.
Environmental Solutions Research Accelerator Awards
These awards facilitate graduate students to conduct summer research by providing salary, tuition or field costs ($8,000 per student).
To know details on eligibility and application process please view/download the Environmental Solutions Research Accelerator Awards pdf.
Environmental Solutions Research Grant Awards
These awards are intended to provide partial support to advanced doctoral students to improve the overall quality of their research program ($15,000 per student, graduate students are typically at a more advanced stage of their research than for the Accelerator awards).
To know details on eligibility and application process please view/download the Environmental Solutions Research Grant Award pdf.
Environmental Solutions Summer Research Mentorship Awards
These awards support the development of graduate and undergraduate research pairings in these fields through a mentoring program that pairs an undergraduate with a graduate student mentor ($9,000 per pair).
To know details on eligibility and application process please view/download the Environmental Solutions Summer Research Mentorship Awards pdf.
Please note that while a student may apply for multiple Schmidt Awards, no student may receive multiple awards. Previous award recipients are eligible if they are applying for an entirely new project.
Funding is flexible and can be used, for example, to support field costs, or directly support both graduate and undergraduate students (e.g. through GSR, work-study, or hourly wages) to enable them to focus their time on research. Please note that this year for the mentorship awards undergraduates and graduate students may submit applications separately (and will then be matched by the fellows program) or jointly (if a partnership has already been identified).
Paid: Yes
Applications for these awards should be sent to schmidt.fellows@gmail.com in electronic format as a PDF file. Please read the Award PDFs for details on eligibility, and how to apply for each award.
Please contact schmidt.fellows@gmail.com with questions.
Summer Research Experience in Marine Biology and Statistical Ecology
Undergraduate
Entity: SBC LTER
Researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA), University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the University of Kansas (KU) are seeking 2-4 undergraduate students, especially from underrepresented groups, to join a Coastal-Heartland Marine Biology Summer Research Exchange Program.
The ten-week program involves five weeks (June – July) getting hands-on exposure to marine biology systems and data through UVA or UCSB, followed by four weeks (July – Aug) at KU learning data analytic approaches and applying them to data from marine systems. Students will carry out their own research projects with the assistance of project staff. The final week of the program will take place at the annual Ecological Society of America meeting, in August in Long Beach, CA, where students will get broad exposure to the field of ecology and to ecological research.
Students will be paid a stipend of $6200. Housing costs, flights or other transport to and from the sites, and conference fees will also be provided.
Review of applications will begin 2/19/2024. We will continue to accept applications until positions are filled.
The main purpose of the program is to orient students to the fields of ecology and marine biology, to provide research experience, and to encourage the realization that these fields can provide excellent and fascinating career possibilities for students from a wide range of backgrounds. A strong curiosity about natural systems is more important for success in this program than specific background knowledge. Students from backgrounds underrepresented in ecological and marine research are especially encouraged to apply.
University of Virginia Environmental Sciences Department
Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research
UC Santa Barbara Marine Sciences Institute
Santa Barbara Channel Long-Term Ecological Research project
University of Kansas Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Kansas Center for Ecological Research
Paid: $6,200 + housing, flights, conferences
For more information, please, view the REU Flyer
For questions about the program, please contact Kyle Emery, emery@ucsb.edu.
To apply, please send a cover letter describing your background and interest, a CV, and contact information for two professional references to Daniel Reuman, reuman@ku.edu.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Mykala Listorti
The REEF
Informal Science Educator
Mykala is a fourth year aquatic biology major from Burbank, CA. At The REEF, she helps educate others about the creatures and habitats in Our Maritime Community. Outside of The REEF, she is involved with Coastal Fund.
I love interacting with the community and seeing the passion sparking in young student’s eyes!