CRITFC​/OSU Summer Tribal Internship in Coastal Oceanography

Are you a tribal college student interested in hands-on oceanography research? This paid summer internship offers the opportunity to work with ocean observing technologies and datasets, support tribal stewardship of coastal and estuarine ecosystems, and build research and professional skills through a mentored summer research program.

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) and Oregon State University (OSU) are offering two paid summer undergraduate research internships in coastal oceanography. Interns will be funded by CRITFC's Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction (CMOP) program and will conduct research in the OSU Seascape Ecology Lab, led by Dr. Maria Kavanaugh. Interns will take part in the OSU College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) Summer Internship Program, a supportive learning environment that includes field trips, seminars, and social events.

The internship runs from June 15 to August 14, 2026.

About the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC)

Founded in 1977, CRITFC is the technical support and coordinating agency for fishery management policies of the Columbia River basin's four treaty fishing tribes: the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and the Nez Perce Tribe. With a team of more than 150 employees in multiple locations in Oregon and Idaho, CRITFC works to put fish back in the rivers, protect treaty fishing rights, share salmon culture, and provide direct services to tribal fishers along the Columbia River.

CRITFC's conservation and restoration efforts have historically focused on watersheds, which have been degraded by hydrosystems and other human disturbances. However, salmon also depend on healthy estuary and ocean environments. In 2020, CRITFC assumed stewardship of the Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction program ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).), recognizing its potential to expand CRITFC's engagement in coastal and ocean science and to support climate resilience in these regions.

CRITFC is committed to supporting tribal workforce development opportunities that will increase the representation of tribal members in professional careers protecting natural resources, including oceanography. As part of this effort, CRITFC is proud to sponsor this coastal oceanography and ocean observing internship.

Working with the OSU Seascape Ecology Lab and CRITFC's CMOP program

The OSU Seascape Ecology Lab, led by Dr. Maria Kavanaugh, studies how ocean conditions shape the landscapes of the sea-called seascapes- including the communities of microscopic plankton that form the base of the ocean food web and ultimately support healthy fish populations. The lab combines fieldwork, measurements from ocean water, and satellite data to understand how coastal and ocean ecosystems change over time.

As part of this internship, students will conduct guided independent research in the Seascape Ecology Lab at OSU and travel to Astoria, Oregon, to work with CRITFC CMOP staff and participate in hands-on fieldwork in the Columbia River estuary. Interns will also travel to CRITFC's Portland office to learn about the mission, structure, and work of CRITFC and its member tribes, gaining insight into tribal fisheries management, treaty rights, and the role of science in supporting tribal stewardship of natural resources.

Program Benefits

Interns will receive travel support to and from Corvallis, on-campus housing and meal plan for the duration of the internship, and a salary of $20 per hour for a 40-hour work week.

Eligibility and desired qualifications

Students pursuing an undergraduate degree at a two- or four-year college who have completed at least one year of their degree and are not graduating seniors are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Preference will be given to applicants who are enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe (see below).

Ideal candidates will demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for coastal and estuarine oceanography and ocean observing. Students with experience working with lab equipment, sensors, microscopes or plankton imaging systems, as well as those with experience conducting fieldwork, are encouraged to apply.

Experience with , or willingness to learn, data analysis software is preferred.

Application and Deadline

The online application is available now and applications are due March 6, 2026. Application materials include:

• Basic information about yourself.
• Short answers to questions about academic background and interests, relevant experience and skills, tribal affiliation and cultural connections, and career goals.
• One recommendation letter from a professional reference. Examples of professional references include teachers, professors, employers, and tribal community leaders. The application will ask you to provide the name, job title, organization, and contact…