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UNOLS-MATE Marine Technical Internship Program

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The UNOLS Office coordinates internships with the U.S. Academic Research Fleet and its supporting organizations. This is an incredible opportunity to be exposed to a wide range of marine technologies, equipment, and marine technical professionals. Interns receive hands-on training and assist with projects ranging from chemical oceanography to marine biology, seafloor mapping surveys, geological studies, ROV missions, and much more!

The UNOLS-MATE Marine Technical Internship Program is funded by the National Science Foundation. The program was started in 1999 by the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center and transferred to the UNOLS Office in 2023.

PROGRAM MISSION:

  • Provide opportunities for students to receive training by marine technical professionals;
  • Improve marine technical education and prepare the future ocean workforce; and
  • Help meet the demand for multi-skilled marine technicians.

 

A UNOLS-MATE Internship is an excellent opportunity to help you:

1.) DEFINE YOUR CAREER GOALS: There is no better way to determine if a marine technical career is right for you than to experience it first-hand!

2.) PLAN AND PREPARE FOR YOUR CAREER: Work alongside and learn from a network of marine technical professionals conducting and supporting oceanographic research on board research vessels at-sea, in the shipyard, and shore-based workshops.

3.) APPLY YOUR SKILLS TO MARINE TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS: Develop the technical, troubleshooting, and critical thinking skills required to succeed in the marine workforce while working with cutting-edge technologies, oceanographic instruments, and shipboard equipment. Many past interns have been hired as:

  • Marine Technicians
  • ROV Technicians
  • Electronics Technicians
  • Ocean Engineers

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APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE 2025-2026 MARINE TECHNICAL LONG-TERM INTERNSHIP:

 

Internship Dates: November 3, 2025 through May 22, 2026

HOSTING INSTITUTION: This is an incredible opportunity to intern with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) providing land-based technical support during the HOV Alvin overhaul period. Alvin is the world’s most renowned human occupied submersible, continually operating since its commissioning in 1964. For over five decades and 5000+ dives, Alvin has advanced our understanding of the Earth’s ocean environments, uncovering many significant scientific discoveries along the way. Alvin was recently certified to 6500m and now has the ability to explore over 98% of the ocean floor. 

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION: The selected intern will work full-time with engineers, technicians and other team members at the WHOI facility in Woods Hole, MA. The Alvin Group is interested in hosting a technically-inclined and responsible intern who enjoys understanding about and working with marine instruments and technologies. The ideal candidate for this internship is mature, motivated, and has a positive attitude. A foundational understanding and skill in electrical and mechanical engineering are highly desirable. UNOLS will pay a $600 per week subsistence stipend, a $200 per week meal plan, lodging, and pre-approved travel expenses. Internship projects will correspond with the objectives set by the hosting institution. A work plan will be established at the start of the internship and updated as needed.

 

How to Apply:

To apply, read the requirements listed below, contact professional references, prepare your documents in advance, and complete the online application:

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

NOTE: we recommend typing/saving short responses in a Word document, then copying/pasting them into the application form when you are ready to submit.

 

 

 

 

Requirements: 

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or U.S. permanent residents. 

  • Applicants must be enrolled in or a recent graduate from an accredited higher education institution in the U.S. 

  • Applicants should demonstrate a high interest in the field of Marine Engineering & Technology in support of oceanographic research.  

  • Applicants must be available full-time during the internship period. 

  • This is a long-term internship. Former MATE Interns who have completed a short-term internship may apply.

Required references and supporting documents (in PDF or Word format only):

  • Contact information for three (3) professional references.

  • Your most current professional resume (2-page maximum).

  • A letter of recommendation from an instructor or a supervisor, preferably someone who has knowledge of your engineering/technical skills. If your professional reference prefers to submit a letter directly to the Program Manager, please share this link with them: 2025-26 UNOLS-MATE Internship Recommendation Form

 

Download a PDF copy of the announcement:

2025-26 UNOLS-MATE Marine Technical Long-term Internship Announcement

 

General Program Logistics:

Internships last from 2 weeks to 6 months each and are scheduled throughout the entire calendar year. The program pays a weekly stipend plus airfare, lodging and other approved travel expenses. Most interns work, eat, and sleep aboard research vessels. For land-based internships, lodging off ship and an additional meal stipend are provided. Internship projects vary and correspond to the objectives set by each specific host organization or research cruise.

 

What past interns have to say about the program:

  • "It was a real life changing experience for me. I feel it has greatly enriched me and inspired my goals even further."
  • "Because of this program, I have traveled all over the world and participated in some of the most interesting projects imaginable."
  • "I learned how to operate and trouble shoot a wide range of equipment and instrumentation that are standard across most research vessels."
  • "I learned from my mentor how to become more involved in the marine technical community and find other job offers in the field." 

 

MARINE TECHNICAL INTERNSHIP BLOG 

 

Learn about the Career Paths of former interns who are now working as Marine Technicians:

gisler

Sarah Gisler (2024 UNOLS-MATE Intern), MARSSAM Technician, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University  

Read Sarah's career path here.
nastya

Anastasia Elmendorf (2022 UNOLS-MATE Intern), Marine Technician, Shipboard Scientific Services Group, R/Vs

Armstrong & Atlantis, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Read Anastasia's career path here. 
kait

Kaitlyn Beardshear (2020 UNOLS-MATE Intern), Engineer II, HOV Alvin Pilot, National Deep Submergence Facility, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Read Kaitlyn's career path here.
shimada

Emily Shimada (2018 UNOLS-MATE Intern), Marine Technician, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University. 

Read Emily's career path here.