Women in Science Undergraduate Internship: Birds as biosentinels

Birds as biosentinels: Undercovering hidden contaminants in the Great Lakes Ecosystems

We are seeking a motivated undergraduate intern to join an ongoing research project investigating how environmental contaminants affect the physiology, epigenetics, and health of wild raptors and purple martins in the Great Lakes region. Raptors, as top predators in aquatic-linked food webs, and purple martins, as aerial insectivores closely tied to aquatic ecosystems, accumulate chemicals such as PFAS and heavy metals, making them important sentinels of ecosystem health.

This internship will provide hands-on training in wildlife physiology and molecular ecology. In the laboratory, you will assist with immune function assays and hormone analyses focusing on thyroid hormones and corticosterone. You will learn core molecular biology skills, including DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, and sample preparation for sequencing analyses, and help process biological samples collected from fieldwork. You will also gain experience with data organization, lab record keeping, and scientific communication.

There is also an opportunity to participate in fieldwork: in late June and early July, the intern may assist with purple martin capture and banding, learning safe bird handling, banding techniques, and blood and feather sample collection. This combination of laboratory and field experience provides a rich training environment for students interested in wildlife biology, conservation, eco-immunology, and environmental toxicology.

No prior field experience is required—just curiosity, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for learning scientific methods.

This internship position is endowed in honor of Lynika Strozier. Lynika was a Field Museum scientist and former Women in Science intern supervisor who passed away due to complications from COVID-19. She was an inspiration to all who worked with her, and we thank her for the legacy she left through the students she inspired.

Lynika embodied the following qualities as a scientist and a mentor. Please share with us how you demonstrate these qualities in your cover letter.
Positivity, friendliness, and good nature
Willingness to help, mentor, teach, and learn from others
Perseverance, hard work, and fierce determination
Curiosity and eagerness to learn new things
Interest in diverse scientific questions

Applicants must apply through the Field Museum website. Applications through other websites - including Handshake- will not be considered. Applications must be received by March 6, 2026.

Applicants selected for interview will be contacted by March 23, 2026.

This is an opening for a undergraduate college student. If selected, interns will be expected to attend an on-site HR orientation on June 22nd, 2026. Work on the internship will continue through July 31, 2026. The salary is $17.75/hour for 35 hours a week. Candidates will be chosen by careful review and contacted by e-mail to set up an interview. This internship is intended for female or non-binary identifying students.

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.

At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.