Research Internships 2023

Applications for the 2023 internship season have now closed.

Description

Intern with crapemyrtle

Pending available funding, the U.S. National Arboretum’s Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit may have several internships available in areas such as molecular biology, plant pathology, plant breeding, horticulture, taxonomy, and production.

All interns participate in educational programs and field trips, work on independent projects that benefit the Arboretum, and are supervised and mentored by the Arboretum’s professional staff. All internships are paid positions through an hourly wage or a stipend, depending on the position.

We can also offer internships and mentoring as described above for qualified students who are able to provide their own funding. For most research internships, college credit may be possible if arranged in advance by the student, university mentor, and Arboretum staff.

Qualifications

Intern with cuttings

Applicants should have at least 24 hours of relevant course work or one year of practical experience in a horticultural or laboratory setting. Experience in horticulture, plant science, or laboratory work and the ability to work independently are very important.

Duties & Working Conditions

Positions are located in the Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit in Beltsville, MD, at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC, or at our worksite in McMinnville, TN. Depending on the project, duties could include plant propagation, seed germination, pollinations, transplanting, herbarium tasks, DNA/RNA extraction and analysis, sequencing, PCR, and other laboratory, greenhouse, or nursery procedures.

To Apply

Please send a cover letter stating your educational goals and research interests, a resume, a list of references, and transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) via email to USNA.Internships@usda.gov.

Questions? Contact the internship office at (202) 245-4563 or USNA.Internships@usda.gov.

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