2026 Internship Opportunities

This internship provides an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge environmental microbiology research focused on the bioremediation of PFAS contamination in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) impacted sediments. Students will contribute to studies involving Acidimicrobium sp. A6, a unique bacterium capable of transforming PFAS through an iron-coupled ammonium oxidation process known as Feammox.
The research emphasizes bench-scale laboratory experiments designed to understand the environmental factors that promote A6 activity and enhance PFAS degradation. Students will help investigate how conditions such as temperature, pH, nutrient supply, and iron availability influence microbial growth and defluorination efficiency. This experience will provide valuable insight into how laboratory findings can be applied to real-world field settings for the sustainable cleanup of PFAS-contaminated environments.

Students will assist in laboratory experiments involving A6 enrichment cultures and AFFF-impacted sediments under controlled anaerobic conditions. Specific responsibilities include:

• Preparing and maintaining batch reactors and sediment columns for incubation experiments.
• Monitoring microbial growth and chemical changes, including fluoride release, iron reduction, and ammonium oxidation.
• Assisting with pH, temperature, and nutrient adjustments to evaluate factors influencing A6 activity.
• Supporting data recording, sample handling, and preliminary data interpretation.

By the end of the internship, students will:

• Gain an understanding of PFAS chemistry, AFFF contamination, and microbial remediation strategies.
• Develop practical laboratory skills in environmental microbiology, anaerobic culturing, and biogeochemical analysis.
• Learn to design and conduct batch and column experiments, and gain a deeper understanding of how laboratory findings can be applied to field-scale remediation.
• Understand how microbial metabolism contributes to PFAS defluorination.
• Strengthen scientific reasoning, data interpretation, and technical communication skills.

Applicants should have completed introductory or intermediate courses in general chemistry and basic laboratory methods. A background in molecular biology, environmental science, microbiology, or engineering is preferred.

Students should be familiar with standard laboratory techniques such as solution preparation, pipetting, sample handling, and data recording.

• Students will meet with internship mentors in the spring, prior to the internship start date. Reading materials may also be provided.
• 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.