Earth Sciences Digital Research Lab Internship: Corral Bluffs
Earth Sciences Digital Research Lab Internship: Corral Bluffs Project
Start Date: September 3, 2024
End Date: November 23, 2024
Duration: 15 weeks
Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their housing
Stipend: $731.60 a week x 15 weeks = $10,974
Application Deadline: Monday, July 15, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Number of positions: 1 full-time position
Position Description
The Department of Earth Sciences’ Digital Research Lab at DMNS is offering one 15-week internship for Summer 2024.
The Intern will assist Dr. Tyler Lyson and Lindsay Dougan in the Digital Research Lab on the Colorado Springs Research: Corral Bluffs project. This internship is for undergraduate, graduate, and beginning professionals. The intern will receive a stipend scholarship for the term of the internship. The duration of the internship will be spent onsite in the Digital Research Lab.
The Intern will work in the Digital Research Lab, with primary responsibility being to digitally model early Paleogene vertebrate fossils from the Colorado Springs Research: Tree of Life project. The intern will gain research skills and experience in vertebrate anatomy, image processing, segmentation, and 3-dimensional reconstruction of CT datasets. The intern is expected to maintain a positive attitude and high level of excellence and professionalism as they develop communication and presentation skills by working alongside curators, staff, and volunteers in a diverse, collaborative environment. The intern will report directly to Lindsay Dougan, with more general oversight provided by curator Tyler Lyson. There will be opportunities for community outreach throughout the term, these activities may include ‘Science on the Spot’ pop-up showcases, Scientists in Action Q&A, Science Division Pop-Up presentations, and working with Friends of Corral Bluffs.
Learning Objective
Become proficient in the use and application of 3D visualization software for segmentation and reconstruction.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Completion of upper-level coursework in biological sciences
- Ability to clearly communicate and work well with others
- Willingness to engage with guests for occasional community outreach
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with visualization software (e.g. Avizo/Amira, VG Studio, ORS Dragonfly, FIJI)
- Experience with reconstruction/modeling software (e.g. Maya, Blender)
Essential Responsibilities
- Process images obtained from CT scanning
- Digitally segment elements of individual fossil specimens
- Generate deliverables (models, figures, animations, prints) for analysis
- Communicate with a diverse team of local and national collaborators, curators, researchers, staff, and volunteers
Responsibilities to Lab Team
- Positive attitude
- Communicate all issues with project leaders
- Understand the training materials and be informed and updated on project dynamics
- Represent the Museum in a professional and positive manner at on-site and off-site functions
- Create a welcoming atmosphere for other volunteers, visitors, and staff by being friendly, informed, and enthusiastic
- Adhere to security, technology, and lab policies, the intern must conduct work within the safety guidelines of the Museum
Mentors
Lindsay Dougan
Digital Research Lab Technician
Dr. Tyler Lyson
Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology
Stipend
$731.60 a week x 15 weeks = $10,974
Schedule
September 3, 2024 - November 26, 2024
9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday on-site
Off-site work TBD
Important Dates
September 6: DES Fall Fiesta
October 29 - November 3: SVP in Minneapolis, MN
Application Deadline
Monday, July 15, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Interviews: July 26-Aug 2, 2024
Final Decisions: by August 9, 2023
Contact Information
Application-specific requests: Contact Moe Shuley at Moe.Shuley@dmns.org or 303.370.8345
Internship-specific requests: Contact Lindsay Dougan at Lindsay.Dougan@dmns.org
Notification Date
No later than August 9, 2024
Minimum Age Requirement
18 or older and completion of upper-level coursework in biological sciences
Physical Working Conditions
- Office: Moderate noise (business office with computers, printers, heavy traffic during summer months)
- Stand or sit: Must be able to remain in a stationary position (85% of time)
- Digital Research Lab: Moderate to heavy noise and traffic during summer months, most time spent at a workstation
Application Instructions
If you have not previously applied to, interned at, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, click on the blue box below titled Internship Application to create an account and complete the steps below.
- Create an account
- Update Your Profile
- Select the Earth Sciences Digital Research Lab: Corral Bluffs
- Review the position description
- Navigate to the Prerequisites section at the bottom of the form
- Within the Prerequisites section, click on Earth Sciences Digital Research Lab: Corral Bluffs
- Upload your cover letter and resume/CV specifically for this internship
- Last Step! Apply for the internship by selecting the position once more using the bottom Apply Now blue button located on the bottom of the form
If you have previously applied, interned, or volunteered at DMNS please contact internships@dmns.org to have your account reset.
If you are a current volunteer and want to apply, complete the steps below.
- Log into your account on the Volunteer Portal
- At the top menu, click on Resources
- Select Current Internships
- Follow steps 3 to 8 above