Internships

Learn about the Museum’s Kirtlandia Research Internship Program.

The Kirtlandia Research Internship Program offers summer internships to college students earning a degree in the natural sciences. Students selected to participate have the opportunity to spend eight weeks working with Museum scientific staff on research projects. 
 
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History Kirtlandia Society (now Friends of CMNH) has sponsored this program since 1980. The group raises money to cover each intern's salary, expenses, and tax obligations. To support the Kirtlandia Research Internship Program, donate now.

 

Program Goals 

The Kirtlandia Research Internship Program allows students to gain hands-on experience in fields in which they may be considering careers. The program gives them a sense of what working at a professional level in these areas requires. Students also receive the satisfaction of knowing they have made real contributions to science through their summer's work. They present the results of their research at the Friends of CMNH annual August luncheon meeting. 

General Information 

  • Duration: Eight weeks; exact dates to be arranged with direct supervisor 
  • Compensation: $15 per hour, plus up to $200 for expenses for materials required by the project, minus payroll deductions  
  • Who May Apply: Students who are currently attending an accredited college or university as an undergraduate (college sophomores, juniors, and seniors), or who have graduated from college within the current calendar year 

Please Note 

  • Each intern must present the results of their project in a 5-minute talk and poster display at the August Friends of CMNH meeting. 
  • Projects may not be offered in all Museum areas each year.  
  • Most projects, but not all, require fieldwork and lab work.  
  • Several projects require students to provide their own transportation.  
  • Students must provide for their own housing. 
 

Available Positions 

Apply to the coming year's opportunities when they are posted in February. 

 

When to Apply 

Completed applications are due in March. Intern supervisors for summer projects will interview candidates in March and April. Successful candidates will be contacted in April. 

 

How to Apply 

1. Complete the Kirtlandia Research Intern application after it is posted to our Employment page. 
 
2. Write a brief statement that: 

  • Explains your choice of preferred research areas, 
  • Mentions your interests, previous work experience, and other pertinent information that might support your application, and  
  • Indicates how you expect to benefit from your experience as a Research Intern. 

3. Obtain two letters of recommendation from your professors or instructors.

 

Questions? 

Contact Hannah Driscoll at hdriscoll@cmnh.org with any questions.