Department of Civil Service

Description:

The NY DEC DLF BISEH's Invasive Species Coordination Section is seeking an intern to assist with a study that will use environmental DNA samples collected to help determine the distribution of invasive fish. Additionally, the intern will help to collect and process samples for a food web study within the Upper Hudson River. The intern will assist with other sampling or aquatic invasive species survey and management as time permits. The intern will be responsible for processing samples for molecular analyses. The intern will also process collected samples for stable isotope analysis which will include, freeze drying samples, homogenizing those samples and then weighing those samples into tin capsules for the stable isotope analysis. The intern will coordinate with regional DEC staff on this project. Use of Microsoft Office, Program R and ArcGIS will be incorporated into the project. The intern will work with the DEC Aquatic Invasive Species Section to complete these tasks. Daily tasks include sample processing, data entry, data manipulation, data visualization, field sample collection and analysis. The objectives of this work will be to compare the diet of fish obtained through visual identification of gut contents and molecular identification techniques as well as to prepare stable isotope samples for analysis. Hours will typically be 20 hours per week Monday through Friday between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM

Skills:

Lab Protocols

Bioinformatics Analyses

Statistics and Data Analysis

Writing

Field Work

Internship Areas: Environmental Conservation, Planning/Analysis/Research, Scientific Research