2018 Summer Intern Noah tests a submarine in Lake Tahoe

Internship Opportunities

UC Davis TERC is currently accepting applications for our 2025 summer internship program. If you have any follow-up questions, please contact antoy@ucdavis.edu. Scroll to the bottom of this page for full application instructions. APPLICATION REVIEW for the Summer 2025 begin February 1, 2025. 

UC Davis TERC Internships for Scholars

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) has led the continuous investigation and monitoring of Lake Tahoe for over 50 years. Known for its beauty and remarkable transparency, Lake Tahoe is a natural jewel in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. However, the lake and its watershed continue to face numerous challenges from eutrophication, food web alterations, aquatic invasive species, wildfires, population pressures, and more. TERC’s research is directed toward finding solutions for these and future challenges as well as working with government agencies and other partner organizations to see these solutions implemented.

The TERC Internship for Scholars program offers a cohort of students a unique opportunity to be a part of this applied research experience. This program runs for eight weeks beginning late June and ending in late August. Interns are required to be present during the entire period. This competitive and highly selective program is limited to a maximum of 8 participants. Interns will be chosen based on a combination of their academic records, their career aspirations, and the needs of the TERC program. Interns will work with TERC faculty, staff and graduate students on current projects related to limnology, hydrology, aquatic chemistry, forest ecology or science education. In addition, each Intern will be expected to complete an independent project related to their work tasks.

After selection, Interns will be assigned a mentor. Mentors will provide an outline of the summer work that will be completed by the end of the program. Each week will include a professional development Seminar featuring expert speakers. Interns will have the opportunity to attend the Annual Tahoe: State of the Lake Presentation and the Annual Lake Tahoe Federal Summit, where State and Federal elected leaders convene at Lake Tahoe.

Summer Stipend: $3500 per student

Check out the summer intern projects from 2024

Peter Webster's poster: "Bathymetric Mapping of Donner Lake"
Soffia Ramsey's poster: "The Search for the Native Western Pearlshell Mussel in the Truckee River"
Meera Putz's poster: "Improving Sugar Pine Restoration: Exploring Relationships Between Vegetation and Seedling Survival"
Maddy Mouw's poster: "Citizen Science: A Valuable Research Tool at Lake Tahoe"
Ingrid Peters' poster: "Solving the Mystery of the Elevated Phosphorus Data"
Sofia Nawaz's poster: "Active Hope for Tahoe's Environmental Future"

 

Full PDF versions of 2024 posters are available for download here

Full PDF versions of 2023 posters are available for download here

Expectations:

A minimum of 32 hours/week, timing will be determined with the mentoring researcher.

Adhering to an established work schedule.

Attending all Program events (seminars, events, final poster presentations, etc.)

2024 Eligibility Information:

Must be available June 25 - August 15

Minimum age requirement: 18

U.S.A. Citizenship or Permanent Residency

Example Opportunities (coming soon)

How to Apply:

Send the following documents to antoy@ucdavis.edu.

  1. Cover letter - Specify career aspirations
  2. Resume
  3. Unofficial College Transcripts
  4. Contact information for 3 references

2024 Timeline:

February 1: Application review begins, incomplete applications will not be considered

February 19-29: Applicant Interviews

March  8: Award Notification

March 15: Official Acceptance

June 25: Start date and Orientation at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village

August 15 (tentative): Final Poster Session

August 15: End Date