2026 SUMMER RESEARCH AND STEWARDSHIP INTERNS
posted 01.20.2026
Great Hollow offers paid summer internships to undergraduate or graduate students who are majoring in the natural sciences and have a strong academic record and an interest in field biology. Interns work under Great Hollow’s scientists to assist with summer research projects, during which they gain experience in study design and a variety of field methods. Interns also help with miscellaneous office duties, community events, animal care, and facility and trail maintenance, and otherwise contribute to the general day-to-day operation of Great Hollow. Internships are typically 8 weeks long, beginning around June 1. They include a stipend of $450/week as well as shared, on-site housing for those who do not live locally.
Great Hollow is currently accepting applications for two internship positions for the summer of 2026. To be able to assist with this summer’s projects, applicants must have a strong ability to identify northeastern forest birds by sight and sound (ability to identify forest vegetation and experience collecting invertebrates are a plus, but not necessary). The interns will mainly assist with the second year of a study investigating the responses of birds, bats, arthropods, and vegetation to forest thinning intended to enhance habitat for the New England cottontail. The interns will be primarily responsible for conducting fixed-radius point-counts of birds in treatment and reference plots at Housatonic State Forest, about an hour’s drive from Great Hollow (vehicle provided). As such, applicants must be skilled at independently identifying birds by sight and sound (experience solely from a college ornithology course is insufficient). As part of this project, the interns will also be responsible for processing sound files from acoustic bat recorders (training provided) and surveying vegetation and arthropods. Interns will also process sound files from bat recorders deployed at Great Hollow for a study of the impacts of light pollution on bats.
Outside of the field research activities, the interns will help with invasive plant removal, trail maintenance, pollinator garden maintenance (weeding, mostly) miscellaneous office duties, facility maintenance and cleaning, care of our non-releasable birds of prey, and occasional outreach events, to contribute to the general day-to-day operation of Great Hollow.
Internships begin around June 1 and last approximately 8 weeks (start and end dates slightly flexible). Interns receive a weekly stipend of $450 and free on-site, shared housing.
Minimum Qualifications
-Completion of at least 2 full years of a 4-year university program, majoring in natural resources, conservation biology, ecology, wildlife management, or a similar field.
-Strong ability to identify northeastern U.S. forest birds by sight and sound. Experience gained solely from the lab section of a college course is insufficient. Applicants must demonstrate other sources of experience (e.g., prior field positions, atlasing efforts, volunteer work, extensive birding as a hobby, etc.). Specific experience with point-count survey methods is a big plus. Experience with vegetation surveys and/or arthropod sampling (beat-sheeting) is also a big plus but not required.
-Ability to enjoy working outdoors for several hours, sometimes under uncomfortable (e.g., hot, buggy) conditions.
-Ability to wake up very early in the morning (4:30 am) to do point-counts
-Ability to hike on rugged terrain for long periods.
-Current driver’s license and ability to drive a pick-up truck on rugged dirt roads.
-English fluency and ability to verbally communicate effectively.
-Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
-Ability to live in shared, drug-free and smoke-free housing with respect for others.
-Proof of existing health insurance coverage (not provided with internship).
-U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. for the internship time period.
The deadline to apply is March 15, 2026. To apply, please assemble a single PDF containing (1) a cover letter that includes a clear description of your relevant experience with Northeastern forest bird ID; (2) a resume or CV; and (3) contact info and your relationship to at least two professional references, and email the PDF to Great Hollow’s executive director Chad Seewagen (). Please label the PDF as “Last name_first name” and put “Last name_2026 Internship Application” in the subject line of your email. Applications that fail to follow these basic instructions may be disqualified.
Great Hollow is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to providing an inclusive, non-discriminatory and harassment-free environment for all employees, volunteers, members, and program participants. Discrimination or harassment because of age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other status is not tolerated and is strictly forbidden.