Internships

Start date: The ideal start date is October 1, 2024
Duration: Approximately 200 hours 
Schedule: Negotiable within Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  
Stipend: Approximately $3,658 total stipend, depending on the agreed-upon total internship hours 
Number of positions: 1 position  
Application Deadline: Friday, August 30, 2024, at 5 p.m. 
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and securing their housing 

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science maintains a research collection of approximately 1.3 million animal specimens and specimen lots in the Zoology Collections. The Zoology collections are comprised of both vertebrate and invertebrate species, providing a taxonomically diverse and scientifically valuable resource for research and education. Major taxonomic groups represented include arachnids, insects, mollusks, mammals and birds. The Integrative Collection Branch (ICB) oversees the preservation, maintenance and access to these collections, ensuring their long-term viability and usefulness. The Entomology Collections Interns will work in the ICB to improve the accessibility of Zoology’s Entomology specimen data.  

This position will participate in the data preparation activities (standardization and general cleanup) for migrating entomology specimen data into the Arctos database. Areas of data needing cleanup include agent names (people), geographies and localities (places), attributes (measurements and qualitative information) and taxonomies (species and higher-level identifications). Much of this work will be conducted in MS Excel and with existing tools in Arctos. It will also require data research activities such as verifying data from specimen labels, additional databases (EMu) or consulting original data source materials (e.g., field notes).  

Applicants from groups traditionally underrepresented in the Life Sciences are encouraged to apply. 

The Entomology Collections Interns will participate in and learn the following activities: 

• Entomology specimen data cleanup and standardization
• Taxonomic schema and organization strategies
• Best practices for specimen handling and storage
• Work collaboratively with Museum personnel
• Assist Zoology collections staff and curators when necessary.
• Option to participate in public engagement events, e.g., Science on the Spot, Member Nights, Educator Open House, etc.
• Conduct work within the Museum's safety guidelines, ensuring personal safety and the safety and security of the collections.

Qualifications 

• Must have a passion for the natural sciences and an interest in pursuing a career in Zoology and/or museums
• Completed or enrolled at a 2 or 4-year institution in the Life Sciences preferred, but not required
• Strong attention to detail, patience, and fine motor skills; excellent hand-eye coordination
• Experience with data entry and/or data management preferred
• Positive attitude and flexibility
• Ability to work collaboratively with Museum staff and volunteers

Mentors 
Andrew Doll 
Zoology Collections Manager

Genna Anderegg 
Zoology Assistant Collections Manager

Minimum Age Requirement 
18 or older and enrolled in a 2 or 4-year institution

Schedule 
Negotiable within Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Start Date
The ideal start date is October 1, 2024. The end date corresponds to the completion of 200 hours after the official start date.

Housing 
Interns are responsible for finding and securing their housing.

Application Deadline 
Friday, August 30, 2024, 5 p.m.

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 Entomology Collections Internship
4. Review the position description
5. Navigate to the Prerequisites section at the bottom of the form
6. Within the Prerequisites section, click on Entomology Collections Internship
7. Upload your cover letter and resume/CV specifically for this internship
8. Last Step! Apply for the internship by selecting the position once more using the bottom Apply Now blue button located on the bottom of the form

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

If you are a current volunteer and want to apply, complete the steps below.

1. Log into your account on the Volunteer Portal
2. At the top menu, click on Resources
3. Select Current Internships
4. Follow steps 3 to 8 above

Questions? 
For questions about the application, contact [email protected] 
For questions about the position, 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

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.