Research Internships
Description
The U.S. National Arboretum’s mission is to enhance the economic, environmental, and aesthetic value of ornamental plants through research, conservation, and display. Pending funding, the Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit (FNPRU) offers internships in areas such as molecular biology, plant pathology, plant breeding, horticulture, taxonomy, and production for summer 2026.
Interns will work in Beltsville, MD; at the Arboretum in northeast Washington, DC; or in McMinnville, TN, depending on their project. Mentored by Arboretum staff, interns work on independent projects that contribute to the research mission. Interns also participate in educational programs and field trips and conclude their internship with a staff presentation of their work.
All FNPRU internships are paid at $20/hour (either hourly or stipend) and generally last three months. Housing is not provided. College credit for most research internships may be possible if arranged in advance. We can also offer internships and mentoring as described above for qualified students who are able to provide their own funding.
Qualifications
Applicants should have at least 18 hours of relevant course work or demonstrate at least one year of practical experience in a horticultural or laboratory setting. Attention to detail and the ability to follow directions and work independently are very important. Applicants must be US citizens. We are unable to make exceptions.
Duties & Working Conditions
Duties and working conditions vary depending on the project. Projects requiring fieldwork will necessitate working outdoors in hot and humid weather. Duties could include: plant propagation, seed germination, pollinations, transplanting, herbarium tasks, DNA/RNA extraction and analysis, sequencing, PCR, and other laboratory, greenhouse, or nursery procedures.