Earth Sciences Madagascar Collections Internship 2026

Earth Sciences 2026 Madagascar Collections Internship

Preferred Start Date: mid-late May 2026 (flexible) Duration: 18 weeks Schedule: Monday – Friday, some weekend, evening work required Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their own housing Stipend: $771.60 weekly x 18 weeks = $13,888.80 Number of Positions Available: 1 full-time position Application Deadline: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and completed applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.

Description

The Department of Earth Sciences at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) has one paid (stipend) vertebrate paleontology collections management internship for up to 18 weeks in Summer 2026. The targeted start date for this position is May 12, 2026, but the start and end dates are flexible.

This internship will involve a wide array of experiences in the Integrative Collections and Earth Science departments through the practice of paleontology collections management. The primary focus will be on Late Cretaceous fossil vertebrates from Madagascar. This collection is the result of over 30 years of field work in Madagascar and has supported a wealth of research. Key discoveries include vegetarian crocodiles, giant frogs, and cannibal dinosaurs, but the collection includes specimens from across the taxonomic tree. We’ve got fish, sharks, rays, frogs, snakes, turtles, lizards, crocodiles, birds, mammals and dinosaurs!

The Intern will primarily work to organize, catalog, label, and rehouse these specimens, and import the catalog records into the KE Emu and Symbiota databases. This work will help us reach our goal of returning over half the collection to Madagascar. During the latter part of the internship, interns may also shift to working full-time with our prep team, learning preparation, housing, and field techniques. Throughout the internship, there will also 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 encouraged.

Ideal candidates will have completed or nearly completed an undergraduate degree in earth science, museum studies, biology, environmental science or similar. They’ll also be eager to learn, passionate about museum work, and a team-player. The DMNS is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to contribute to our commitments to co-create a museum-wide DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Inclusion) strategy, and to find ways for diverse communities to engage with the Museum in meaningful ways.

Interns will receive a stipend of $771.60/week, free bus/rail passes, and will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of collections and outreach activities while growing their museum experience in a large, outwardly focused institution.

The Earth Sciences Madagascar Paleontology Project intern will participate and learn the following activities:

• Working with relational databases and learning about data management standards and data integrity.
• Cataloging specimens and uploading them to our databases.
• Physically reorganizing and rehousing specimens, including creating archival cavity mounts.
• Participating in educational outreach events such as Science on the Spot and Member Night.

Responsibilities

• Conduct work within the safety guidelines of the museum, ensuring personal safety and the safety and security of the collections.
• Maintain prompt and frequent communication with supervisors, ensuring that instructions are understood and followed and communicating problems immediately.
• Maintain and associate correct data with specimens.
• Organize, rehouse, and catalog specimens.
• Follow written instructions and document new workflows.

Minimum Qualifications

• An interest in working in museums or other natural history collections.
• Ideal candidates will have completed or nearly completed an undergraduate degree in earth science, museum studies, biology, environmental science or similar.
• Basic knowledge of vertebrate anatomy (familiarity with vertebrate fossils and handling of specimens is preferred).
• The ability to clearly communicate and be flexible between independent work and team projects or tasks.
• Basic to intermediate proficiency in Excel.

Working Conditions

• Organization and maintenance of Museum Collections tasks will mostly occur in the B2 (basement 2) level of the Avenir Collections Center.
• Preparation will take place in the 3rd and 1st floor preparation labs.
• There is a possibility of field work for this internship, which will involve working outside.
• Use of ladders will be necessary.
• Lifting 10 lbs. regularly and up to 50 lbs. with assistance.
• Office conditions and normal office supplies and equipment.
• Working with rocks is inherently a dirty job.

Staff Mentors

Kristen MacKenzie

Earth Sciences Collections Manager

Sierra Swenson

Earth Sciences Assistant Collections Manager-Madagascar

Natalie Toth

Earth Sciences Chief Preparator

David Krause, PhD

Senior Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology

Stipend

$771.60 per week for 18 weeks = $13,888.80

Schedule

• 18 weeks (720 hrs)
• Monday to Friday, 8 hours/day with a 30-minute to 1-hour lunch, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Some weekend or evening work may be required for special events or field activities

Approximate Start Date: Mid/Late May, 2026

Application Deadline

Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and completed applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.

Age Requirements

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older

How to Apply

If you have not previously applied, interned, or volunteered at the D