Earth Sciences 2026 Collections Internship: Preserving and Conserving New Mexico’s Paleontology Resources

Start date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 (flexible start date) Duration: 20 weeks Schedule: Monday – Friday, 40 hours a week Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their own housing Stipend: $771.60 per week; $15,432 total Number of positions: 2 full-time positions Application Deadline: Monday, October 6, 2025

The Department of Earth Sciences at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has two 20-week vertebrate paleontology collections management internships for Winter-Spring 2026. The start and end dates are flexible, with a targeted start date of January 20, 2026. This internship will involve a wide array of experiences in the Earth Sciences Collections through the practice of collections management.

The primary focus will be curating the Late Cretaceous (76-73 Ma) Fruitland/Kirtland Formation fauna from the San Juan Basin in northwestern New Mexico. The Intern will work to sort, identify, catalog, label, rehouse, and reorganize the specimens into the Earth Sciences Collections. The intern will inventory the collections and learn to import the catalog records into the KE EMu database. Additionally, the intern will surface scan and generate 3D models of selected fossils, and upload the process scans to the open access portal MorphoSource.

There will be opportunities to develop communication and presentation skills by working alongside curators, staff, other interns, external researchers, and volunteers in a diverse, collaborative environment. Interdepartmental learning opportunities and participation in outreach events will also be expected.

Ideal candidates will be students in Earth Sciences, Life Sciences (or related), or collections management who have an interest or experience with fossil vertebrates and are looking to expand their experience with museum collections and database work.

The Earth Sciences Vertebrate Collections intern will participate in the following activities:

• This internship serves to introduce collections management as it pertains to Earth Sciences Collections.
• The Intern will learn about relational databases, data management standards, cataloging standards, locality data, collections organization, rehousing methods, and specimen handling.
• Surface scan vertebrate fossils using structured light scanners (Artec Leo and Space Spider) and use software to generate 3D models.
• Participate in public outreach programs such as Science on the Spot, summer camp experiences, Behind-the-Scenes special events, etc.

Responsibilities

• The Intern must conduct work within the safety guidelines of the museum, ensuring personal safety and the safety and security of the collections.
• Maintains prompt and frequent communication with supervisors, ensuring that instructions are understood and followed; communicates problems immediately.
• Accurate data entry, maintains and associates correct data with specimens.
• Organizes, rehouses, and catalogs Morrison Fm. specimens. Follows written instructions and documents new workflows.
• Maintains a bi-weekly progress report that will include numbers of items cataloged, imported, rehoused, imaged, and project details.
• Maintains a professional demeanor; ensures professional representation at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

• Applicants must be at least an undergraduate and have completed at least two semesters by the start of the internship.
• The ideal candidate will be pursuing or have completed an undergraduate degree in any Earth sciences, natural history, or museum studies.
• The ability to communicate effectively and work indenpendently and as a part of a team is expected.
• The candidate must have basic to intermediate proficiency in Excel.

Working Conditions

• Organization and maintenance of Museum Collections tasks will occur in the B2 (basement 2) level of the Avenir Collections Center.
• Use of ladders will be necessary.
• Lifting 10lbs. regularly and up to 50lbs. with assistance.
• Attention to detail with fine motor skills.
• Office conditions and normal office equipment.
• Working with rocks is inherently a dirty job.

Staff Mentors

Kristen MacKenzie, Earth Sciences Collections Manager

Natalie Toth, Chief Fossil Preparator

Application Instructions

If you have not previously applied to, interned at, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, click on the blue box below titled Internship Application to create an account and complete the steps below. If you have applied to, interned, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, please contact [email protected] to have your account reset. Do not create another account.

• Create an account
• Update Your Profile
• Select the Earth Sciences 2026 Collections Internship: Preserving and Conserving New Mexico's Paleontology Resources
• Review the position description
• Navigate to the Prerequisites section at the bottom of the form
• Within the Prerequisites section, click on Internships Earth Sciences 2026 Collections Internship: Preserving and Conserving New Mexico's Paleontology Resources
• Upload your cover letter and resume/CV specifically for this internship
• Last Step! Apply for the internship by selecting the position again using the Apply Now blue button at the bottom of the form.

Please make sure to complete both steps, complete the prerequisites, and then apply for the position. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.