USGS Quantifying the Vulnerability of Florida's Natural Coral-Reef Resources by Evaluating the Long-Term Influence of Thermal Variability on Coral Growth
St. Petersburg, FL
Remote
1 month ago
About the role
Organization
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
Reference Code
DOI-USGS-2026-44
How To Apply
To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.
A Complete Application Consists Of
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!”
Description
USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Virtual participation is an option.
The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.
Research Project: U.S. coral reefs are ecologically and economically valuable natural resources that support >$4 billion annually in ecosystem services including shoreline protection, fisheries production, and tourism (DOI Priorities 4, 5, & 6). Yet these valuable resources are in decline. Understanding how corals and coral reefs responded to environmental change in the past is important for determining how to conserve these resources in the future (DOI Priority 6).
One important source of uncertainty about the future response of corals and coral reefs is whether and, if so, how they may be able to acclimatize to thermal extremes; however, fully quantifying the thermal limits and energetic trade-offs of coral acclimatization requires longer-term records than typically available from modern-day, ecological-scale studies. The extensive archive of centuries-long coral cores available in the U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the influence of long-term marine temperature variability on coral growth. Over the last five years, USGS researchers have collaborated to create a permanent digital archive of this unique coral-core collection using computed tomography (CT). We are now trying to extract coral-growth data from these CT scans.
The proposed internship will focus on the southwestern Florida Keys, where SPCMSC researchers have already produced 300-year-long paleotemperature reconstructions based on coral geochemistry. We will compare the coral-growth records to those reconstructions to evaluate how coral growth was influenced by long-term climate warming as well as to both high and low temperature stress events in the past.
Learning Objectives: You will develop foundational knowledge in coral-reef ecology and coral sclerochronology, along with practical skills in sample processing and basic statistical analysis. You will gain experience designing research questions, analyzing data, and interpreting results within the context of coral-reef science. You will strengthen your scientific communication skills through contributions to presentations and potential publications, with opportunities for co-authorship as appropriate. Participation in coral-reef research group meetings will broaden your understanding of current research topics and collaborative scientific practice.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Lauren Toth ([email protected]). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 1, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 10 weeks, but may be renewed upon recommendation of DOI and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.
Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
Questions: If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past four years, or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2029.
Point of Contact
Rachel
Eligibility Requirements ">12 )
Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
Earth and Geosciences (21 )
Engineering (28 )
Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
Life Health and Medical Sciences (49 )
Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
Physics (16 )
Science & Engineering-related (1 )
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
Reference Code
DOI-USGS-2026-44
How To Apply
To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.
A Complete Application Consists Of
- An application
- Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
- A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
- Two educational or professional recommendations. At least one recommendation must be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application.
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!”
Description
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Virtual participation is an option.
The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.
Research Project: U.S. coral reefs are ecologically and economically valuable natural resources that support >$4 billion annually in ecosystem services including shoreline protection, fisheries production, and tourism (DOI Priorities 4, 5, & 6). Yet these valuable resources are in decline. Understanding how corals and coral reefs responded to environmental change in the past is important for determining how to conserve these resources in the future (DOI Priority 6).
One important source of uncertainty about the future response of corals and coral reefs is whether and, if so, how they may be able to acclimatize to thermal extremes; however, fully quantifying the thermal limits and energetic trade-offs of coral acclimatization requires longer-term records than typically available from modern-day, ecological-scale studies. The extensive archive of centuries-long coral cores available in the U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the influence of long-term marine temperature variability on coral growth. Over the last five years, USGS researchers have collaborated to create a permanent digital archive of this unique coral-core collection using computed tomography (CT). We are now trying to extract coral-growth data from these CT scans.
The proposed internship will focus on the southwestern Florida Keys, where SPCMSC researchers have already produced 300-year-long paleotemperature reconstructions based on coral geochemistry. We will compare the coral-growth records to those reconstructions to evaluate how coral growth was influenced by long-term climate warming as well as to both high and low temperature stress events in the past.
- Complete training by SPCMSC scientists on how to collect coral growth records from coral CT imagery
- Apply those methods to collect coral growth records from seven new cores from the southwestern Florida Keys
- Collaborate with SPCMSC scientists to visualize and analyze the data to quantify the relationship between coral growth and temperature variability
Learning Objectives: You will develop foundational knowledge in coral-reef ecology and coral sclerochronology, along with practical skills in sample processing and basic statistical analysis. You will gain experience designing research questions, analyzing data, and interpreting results within the context of coral-reef science. You will strengthen your scientific communication skills through contributions to presentations and potential publications, with opportunities for co-authorship as appropriate. Participation in coral-reef research group meetings will broaden your understanding of current research topics and collaborative scientific practice.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Lauren Toth ([email protected]). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 1, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 10 weeks, but may be renewed upon recommendation of DOI and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.
Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
Questions: If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past four years, or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2029.
Point of Contact
Rachel
Eligibility Requirements ">12 )
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 48 months or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2029 12:00:00 AM.
- Discipline(s):
- Chemistry and Materials Sciences (
- Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
Earth and Geosciences (21 )
Engineering (28 )
Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
Life Health and Medical Sciences (49 )
Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
Physics (16 )
Science & Engineering-related (1 )
Skills
Government Administration