2026 Internship Opportunities

The Ecology and Nature Tech Solutions team at Duke Farms is developing a long-term biodiversity monitoring program to assess ecological recovery following the Raritan River Floodplain Reforestation Project in Hillsborough, New Jersey. This 112-acre restoration site, established in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, is transforming former agricultural fields into a complex network of forested wetlands, vernal pools, and riparian habitats. For this internship, the student will assist researchers in implementing baseline biodiversity surveys to document responses to restoration efforts. The work will include field sampling of multiple taxa, such as insect pollinators, birds, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates, as well as data management and spatial analysis to help build the foundation for a long-term monitoring strategy.

The student will work closely with Duke Farms researchers to establish and implement biodiversity monitoring protocols across the restoration site. Field activities will include deploying and maintaining sampling tools such as pitfall traps for terrestrial invertebrates, acoustic recorders for birds and amphibians, and active net sampling along pollinator transects to assess insect diversity and activity. The student will assist with the collection, identification, and processing of field samples, ensuring data are accurately recorded and maintained. In addition to fieldwork, the student will contribute to data management and spatial analysis. They will use ArcGIS to map sampling locations and organize monitoring data.

By participating in this internship, the student will gain practical experience in biodiversity monitoring and restoration ecology. They will learn how to design and implement standardized field protocols, deploy and maintain a range of monitoring tools, and identify key taxa across multiple groups including pollinators, amphibians, and birds. The student will develop skills in data collection and management, including accurate field data recording, database organization, and integration of spatial data using ArcGIS to ensure consistency and accessibility for long-term monitoring. Through this work, the student will gain a deeper understanding of how ecological restoration influences biodiversity and ecosystem function in floodplain systems.

Attention to detail, enthusiasm for field-based ecological research, ability to work long hours outdoors in hot and humid conditions, ability to work both independently and as part of a team, interest in learning data management tools

Field work can be strenuous in hot and humid conditions

• Students should bring a laptop, as well as clothing appropriate for fieldwork, including long pants, sturdy boots, hats, and other gear suitable for working outdoors in hot and humid conditions.
• Duke Farms is 15 miles from Princeton University and is difficult to access without a vehicle.

• Students will meet with internship mentors in the spring, prior to the internship start date. Reading materials may also be provided.
• At the start of the internship, all interns will participate in an 8-hour orientation and training specific to Duke Farms. This training will include getting to know each other and staff, an introduction to the site and its protocols, field safety procedures, and hands-on instruction in technical sampling. Emphasis will be placed on proper data collection, management, and best practices to ensure high-quality, accurate data that support ongoing research and conservation efforts.
• Students are responsible for securing accommodations for the duration of their internship. On-campus summer housing is typically available the first week of June until the first week of August (details to become available in Spring 2026). If the internship falls outside of on-campus housing availability, students will need to secure alternate housing.