2026 Internship Opportunities

The ocean is a major source of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance that influences climate and life on Earth. Most intense emissions originate from oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) in the Pacific Ocean – ocean areas with vanishingly low oxygen levels. This project tackles a puzzle: why do the OMZs in the North and South Pacific exhibit dramatically different N₂O emissions? We propose to compare N₂O emissions in observations and multiple ocean numerical simulations and evaluate the drivers that explain the differences between these regions.

Students will compile available observations and extract necessary data from existing model output dataset archived on the Princeton University’s cluster server, and analyze these data using analysis softwares (e.g., Python, Matlab). Students will also read literature on the topic of oxygen minimum zones and N₂O cycles.

Students will gain experience working with the Princeton super computer, large datasets from ocean model simulations, data analysis and statistical methods commonly used in ocean science. Students will learn about the ocean circulation as well as nitrogen and oxygen cycles.

Quantitative background in calculus and physics is a plus (e.g. MAT104, PHY103 or higher level).

Quantitative background in calculus and physics is a plus (e.g. MAT104, PHY103 or higher level).

Laptop is required

• 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.