Internships

Start date: mid-March/early-April 2025
Duration: 16 weeks
Schedule: Monday – Friday, some weekend work required; 40 hours/week
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their own housing
Stipend: $752.40 per week; $12,038.40 total
Number of positions: 2 full-time positions

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science hosts a rigorous field paleontology program that supports national and international curatorial research. Dinosaurs comprise nearly 80% of the fossils collected and prepared in the Earth Sciences Preparation Labs; however, crocodylians, turtles, mammals, and paleobotanical specimens are also integrated into the workflow. The Department of Earth Sciences (DES) oversees four preparation labs: two behind-the-scenes, one visible to museum guests as part of the Museum’s permanent Prehistoric Journey exhibit, and another front-facing lab as part of the Teen Rex Experience. Additionally, the Dept of Earth Sciences is home to the Digital Research Lab (DRL), which facilitates the imaging, modeling, virtual reconstruction, and animation of both zoological and paleontological specimens. 

The intern in this role will work in the Fossil Preparation Labs throughout DMNS to clean, stabilize, surface scan, and re-house vertebrate and leaf fossils collected from Mesozoic and Paleocene rocks across the American West.

Internship Activities
The FOSSIL PREPARATION INTERN will participate in the following activities:

• Prepare, stabilize, repair, and re-house vertebrate fossils using specialized equipment, tools, consolidants, and adhesives
• Build archival cradles for oversize specimens (e.g., sauropod limbs, mammoth sacra, etc.) for long-term storage in collections
• Surface scan vertebrate fossils and use software to generate 3D models
• Assist with the management of supplies and equipment for the Dept of Earth Sciences
• Collaborate with other interns, lab volunteers, and Museum staff on preparation, 3D surface scanning, and field projects
• Support field work logistics; participate in regional field efforts—prospecting for new fossil localities, quarry and excavate vertebrate and plant fossils, assist with camp dynamics and camp management
• Provide direct assistance to DES collections staff, curators, and preparators as necessary
• Participate in public outreach programs such as Science on the Spot, summer camp experiences, Behind-the-Scenes special events, etc.

Qualifications

1. Must have a passion for the natural sciences and an interest in pursuing a career in museums.
2. Completed or enrolled at a 2- or 4-year institution in the Earth or Life Sciences preferred
3. Strong attention to detail, patience, and fine motor skills; excellent hand-eye coordination.
4. Positive attitude and flexibility.
5. Ability to work collaboratively with museum staff and volunteers.
6. Organized; ability to self-start and maintain a balance between several projects.
7. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
8. Ability to lift 50 lbs

Applicants representing groups typically underrepresented in paleontology (e.g., women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+) are encouraged to apply.

Mentors
Natalie Toth
Chief Fossil Preparator

Salvador Bastien 
Fossil Preparator

Sadie Sherman
K-Pg Boundary Project Preparator

Evan Tamez-Galvan 
Jurassic Giants Preparator

Alex Polich
Teen Rex Fossil Preparator

Schedule
16 weeks, 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, some weekend work required

Stipend 
$752.40 per week x 16 weeks = $12,038.40

Application Deadline 
The application will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024

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.

1. Create an account
2. Update Your Profile
3. Select the Earth Sciences Fossil Preparation Lab Internship Spring 2025
4. Review the position description
5. Navigate to the Prerequisites section at the bottom of the form
6. Within the Prerequisites section, click on Internships Earth Sciences Fossil Preparation Lab Internship Spring 2025
7. Upload your cover letter and resume/CV specifically for this internship
8. Last Step! Apply for the internship by selecting the position again using the bottom Apply Now blue button at the bottom of the form.

Questions? 
For questions about the internship contact [email protected].

For questions about the application, or to have your account reset contact [email protected].

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science hosts a rigorous field paleontology program that supports national and international curatorial research. Dinosaurs comprise nearly 80% of the fossils collected and prepared in the Earth Sciences Preparation Labs; however, crocodilians, turtles, mammals, and paleobotanical specimens are also integrated into the workflow. The Department of Earth Sciences (DES) oversees three preparation labs, two behind-the-scenes and one visible to museum guests as part of the Museum’s permanent Prehistoric Journey exhibit. Each lab specializes in specific preparation activities, including mechanical preparation, micro-preparation, molding and casting, air abrasion, archival cradle construction, preparation of exceptionally large vertebrate fossils, and rock billet cutting and embedding. 

Interns will learn and participate in the following activities:

• Prepare and stabilize vertebrate fossils using specialized tools, equipment, and chemicals
• Build archival cradles for oversize specimens to be used for long-term storage in the collection
• Assist with the management of supplies and equipment for the Earth Science Department
• Collaborate with other interns, lab volunteers, and Museum staff on special projects
• Support fieldwork logistics; participate in regional fieldwork
• Provide direct assistance to DES collections staff, curators, and preparators when necessary.
• Participate in public outreach programs such as Science on the Spot, summer camp experiences, Museum Member Open House, Behind-the-Scenes, etc.

Qualifications 

• Must have a passion for the natural sciences and an interest in pursuing a career in museums
• Applicants must be at least an undergraduate and have completed at least two semesters by the start of the internship
• Strong attention to detail, patience, and fine motor skills; excellent hand-eye coordination.
• Positive attitude and flexibility
• Ability to work collaboratively with Museum staff and volunteers
• Organized; ability to self-start and maintain a balance between several projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
  Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite products

Mentors

• Natalie Toth
  Chief Fossil Preparator
• Salvador Bastien 
  Fossil Preparator
• Sadie Sherman
  K-Pg Boundary Project Preparator
• Evan Tamez-Galvan 
  Jurassic Giants Preparator
• Alex Polich
  Teen Rex Fossil Preparator

Application Instructions 
If you have not previously applied, interned, or volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, click on the blue box below-titled Internships for School Credit Application to create an account and complete the steps below.

If you have previously applied, interned, or volunteered at DMNS please contact [email protected] to have your account reset.

Questions?

For questions about internships for school credit contact [email protected]

For question about the application or to have your account reset contact [email protected]