Summer Research Internships

The Burke Center is hosting up to six competitive summer internships in 2026.

Internships are for undergraduates, recent college graduates, or graduate students to work on projects that provide a high-impact experience through hands-on practical application. Interns are involved in a wide range of interdisciplinary research projects focusing on the Lake Superior region and beyond.

Internship Focus Areas

Science Initiatives

Science‑focused internships emphasize applied research and fieldwork, particularly within the Lake Superior watershed.
Typical activities may include:

Collecting water quality samples from streams, lakes, and wetlands
Assessing aquatic plant communities
Evaluating and restoring physical habitat in aquatic ecosystems
Data analysis, modeling, and technical reporting

Communication and Policy Initiatives

Communication and policy internships address natural resource issues—especially water‑related topics—from regional, national, and international perspectives. Projects may include:

Translating scientific research for public and policy audiences
Conducting interviews and documenting projects through photos or video
Creating content for traditional media, social media, website, and outreach events
Assisting with policy reports and white papers

Generally, interns will focus on specific projects, but all interns will have an opportunity to work across the scientific research, communications, and policy disciplines.

Internship Details

Duration: Up to 12 weeks (June 8 – August 28, 2026; start/end dates may vary based on intern availability)
Schedule: 40 hours per week (approximately 480 hours total)
Location: Burke Center office in Ashland, Wis. with fieldwork sites generally within two hours of Ashland
Travel: Some projects will require travel within northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, including occasional overnight stays with rustic cabin or tent accommodations
Compensation: Starting hourly wage is $18, but compensation may be higher based on earned degree(s)
and/or relevant experience

Eligibility

Applications are welcome from:

Undergraduate students
Recent college graduates
Graduate students

Applicants should have an interest in environmental science, water science, natural resources, science communication, policy, or related fields.

How to Apply

To be considered, applicants must submit:

A completed internship application (Download PDF Here)
A one‑page cover letter
A resume with three references

Application materials should be emailed to info@burkectr.org

Application Deadline

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

For More Information

Contact Valerie Damstra or Matt Hudson