Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Summer 2026 Student Research Opportunities at the Upper Midwest Water Science Center

By Upper Midwest Water Science Center May 27, 2026

Students! Are you interested in joining USGS scientists this summer to survey America's water resources?

The Upper Midwest Water Science Center, in partnership with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Program, is offering three new summer research participation program opportunities for recent graduates and current students interested in gaining hands‑on experience in environmental science.
 
Participants will train alongside USGS chemists, microbiologists, and hydrologists while contributing to active research projects. They will engage in both fieldwork and laboratory analysis, gaining practical experience with USGS scientific methods and mission‑driven research.
 
This summer research program is funded by ORISE and is not considered federal employment.

Available projects include:

  • Environmental DNA for wildlife monitoring — Lansing, Michigan
  • Microplastics in groundwater — Madison, Wisconsin
  • Stream and river ecology assessment — Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Participants will engage in both fieldwork and laboratory analysis, gaining practical experience with USGS scientific methods and mission‑driven research.

To be eligible, applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree within the past 48 months or expect to receive their degree by June 1, 2029.

Anticipated start date: June 15, 2026

Apply through the links below:

USGS Using eDNA to Monitor Wildlife Communities Associated with the Presence of Zoonotic Viral Pathogens - Lansing, Michigan

USGS Optimizing Methods for the Detection of Microplastics in Groundwater and Drinking Water - Madison, Wisconsin

USGS Watercourse Corridor Study: Ecological Assessments of Stream Sites in Milwaukee Area Waterways - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

Media
Two scientists in white lab coats preparing samples at a lab bench
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Michigan Bacterological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) microbiologists prepare samples for analysis to determine bacteria load and the concentration of E. coli and enterococci.
Media
Scientist on boat holding microplastics sampler
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Scientist sampling lake for microplastics in surface water and benthic sediment.
Media
A USGS technician in a bright green safety jacket takes a photo of a flooded river
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
A USGS technician conducts an assessment of a stream in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Was this page helpful?