R2026104326 Internship - Ecosystem Modeling & Data Consortium

Student Research Intern 
Ecosystem Modeling & Data Consortium 
College of Agricultural Sciences 

Colorado State University  

Part-Time  |  Master's Level Internship 

Anticipated Start Date: June 1 

Anticipated Weekly Hours: 20 hours or more, depending on project needs and student availability 

Compensation: $20.00 / hour 

Position Summary 

The Ecosystem Modeling & Data Consortium within the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University is seeking a motivated Master's-level graduate student for a student internship position. The intern will contribute to applied research projects focused on developing software tools that support ecosystem modeling workflows and facilitate the use of soil and agricultural datasets. This role offers hands-on experience with process-based ecosystem models, scientific data wrangling, and tool development in a collaborative research environment. The intern will work closely with staff scientists, gaining valuable exposure to cutting-edge modeling techniques and data-driven approaches in agricultural and environmental science. 
 

Department Name 

College of Agricultural Sciences — Ecosystem Modeling & Data Consortium, Colorado State University 
 

Anticipated Start Date 

June 1. Exact start date is flexible and may be adjusted to accommodate the selected candidate's academic schedule and availability. 

Anticipated Weekly Hours 

This is a part-time position with an expectation of 20 or more hours per week. Hours may vary based on project milestones and mutual agreement between the intern and supervising faculty. 

Required Job Qualifications 

• Current enrollment as a Master's degree student at Colorado State University at the time of appointment and throughout the duration of the internship. 
• Demonstrated interest or coursework in data science, computer science, environmental science, agricultural sciences, or a closely related field. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative research team. 

Preferred Job Qualifications 

• Prior experience working with ecosystem models (e.g., DayCent, CENTURY, DNDC, SWAT, or similar process-based models). 
• Experience with data manipulation, cleaning, and analysis of large agricultural or environmental datasets. 
• Proficiency in at least one scientific programming language (e.g., R, Python, or similar). 
• Familiarity with soil, agronomy, or land-use data sources (e.g., SSURGO, NASS, USDA datasets). 
• Background or practical experience in agricultural systems, crop science, or rangeland management is a plus. 
• Experience with version control systems such as Git and collaborative coding environments is a plus. 
• Experience developing research tools, workflows, or pipelines for scientific computing is a plus. 

Essential Duties 

• Design, develop, and test software tools that support ecosystem modeling workflows and improve access to soil and agricultural data. 
• Assist with research and development (R&D) activities, including literature review, model evaluation, and implementation of new modeling approaches or analytical methods. 
• Collaborate with researchers to document code, methods, and results in a clear and reproducible manner. 
• Participate in team meetings, present progress updates, and contribute to a positive and productive lab environment. 
• Assist with other research support tasks as assigned, which may include manuscript preparation, data visualization, and logistical coordination of research activities. 

Application Instructions 

• See WorkDay guidelines.