Internships
Hands on experience conducting research in a laboratory setting.
Intern with Plastic Ocean Project.
Joining Plastic Ocean Project as an intern means stepping into the front lines of the fight against plastic pollution — combining hands-on scientific research, community outreach, and advocacy to help protect our oceans. As an intern, you’ll get real, meaningful lab experience: testing water and sediment samples for microplastics, using tools like micro-FTIR spectroscopy, and learning proper lab protocols. On top of the science, you’ll help craft educational outreach, design social media campaigns, assist with cleanup events (with every 25 pounds of trash removed leading to a tree planted through the Trees4Trash program), and support sustainable-business efforts via the Ocean Friendly Establishment initiative. Ultimately, your time at POP isn’t just about building your resume — it’s about contributing to science-based solutions for plastic pollution and empowering communities to make lasting environmental change.
Our internships provide:
• Hands on experience conducting research in a laboratory setting
• Digital marketing and communications exposure
• Education and outreach event opportunities
• Ocean Friendly Establishment program involvement
• Trees4Trash program participation
Research
Projects focus on quantifying and identifying microplastics in environmental samples.
Interns may learn skills specific to POP’s research such as:
• How to read and conduct project protocols
• Process water samples via vacuum filtration
• Clean suspected plastic particles via sonication
• Perform chemical digestion on organic samples via wet-peroxide oxidation
• Analyze suspected plastic particles using a micro Fourier-Transform Infrared • Spectroscopy (u-FTIR) instrument
• Input and organize data
Students will also learn and apply general laboratory knowledge such as:
• Safety protocols
• Contamination mitigation
• Proper glassware cleaning techniques
Trees4trash
Through our T4T program, one tree is planted for every 25 pounds of trash removed.
Interns may be responsible for:
• Assisting with the organization of T4T events
• Attending and leading cleanups
• Managing supplies
• Tracking trash data through a spreadsheet
• Participants safety (First Aid)
Communications
Interns may:
• Gain writing experience for different types of audiences
• Prepare press releases for news channels
• Create and post social media content
• Assist with newsletter articles
• Design graphics
• Generate educational content for POP’s website
• pdate brochures as needed
Education/Outreach
Interns may attend:
• Educational tabling events at locations such as local farmers markets and concerts
• School programs
• Fundraising events
Interns may:
• Present PowerPoints
• Conduct educational activities
• Create informational tabling materials
• Recruit new members to our email list
• Gain confidence in public speaking and social engagement
Ocean friendly establishments
Ocean Friendly Establishments are dedicated to promoting environmentally sustainable business practices.
Interns may:
• Keep up with social media posting
• Recruit businesses and restaurants to the OFE program
• Manage the printer/framer to facilitate the distribution of certificates
• Review and evaluate current OFE’s status’ and ratings
• Maintain outstanding relationships between POP and OFE’s
