There is a significant amount of work to be done in order to create a science culture where all voices and life experiences are included. Here at MSI, we believe that one important action is to use our resources and expertise to create opportunities for others, especially early career scientists who are under-represented in the geosciences.
To this end, one of the main activities MSI researchers are engaged in is providing research experiences to undergraduates, both UCSB undergrads and those from other campuses. UC Santa Barbara is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and we are very focused on creating positive experiences for our students here, providing a welcoming and exciting on-ramp in the marine science.
Opportunities
Explore the many established research opportunities at MSI, along with currently available research experiences.
Programs
Other opportunities at UC Santa Barbara
The Promise Scholars Program
The Promise Scholar program at UC Santa Barbara empowers high-achieving, first generation students from low-income households.
Gorman Scholar Program
The Gorman Scholars Program provides UCSB undergraduates across all STEM majors with an opportunity to receive invaluable mentoring from faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students mentors while pursuing innovative interdisciplinary research projects.
IGPMS
Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science
The Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science at the University of California Santa Barbara is a multidisciplinary program bringing together marine faculty from across campus to train the next generation of oceanographers and marine scientists.
The CAMP Program
The CAMP program (California Alliance for Minority Participation) provides resources and research internship opportunities to UCSB undergraduates in STEM who identify as an under-represented minority. The program is part of the UC statewide CAMP program. CAMP has several programs including Summer and Academic year Research Internships, and the CAMP Scholars program that provides support towards successful completion of a degree in STEM.
Education and Outreach
Hands-on experience with the natural environment
The REEF
The Research Experience & Education Facility
Oceans-to-Classrooms (O2C) and the REEF endeavour to provide “An Ocean View of the World” to people of all ages to increase science literacy and inspire environmental stewardship of our Ocean resources through education.
Open Positions
Latest opportunities for an immersive involvement in Marine Science
2025 Docent Recruitment Notice
Entity: The REEF
Deadline: December 20th, 2024 at midnight
The REEF, UCSB’s teaching aquarium located at Campus Point Beach has provided Our Maritime Community, from K12 and undergraduate and graduate courses to the general public, an “Ocean View of the World!”
Docent Program
Love Teaching?
Informal Science Educators (ISEs) are responsible for supporting online and in-person programs. These programs introduce students from kindergarten to the graduate-level as well as local community members to Our Maritime Community, current research at UCSB, and a variety of marine organisms.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the REEF has Open Door hours where we educate and inform campus and community members about Our Maritime Community!
Love Marine Life?
Become a part of the Marine Organism Support Team (MOST), and assist REEF Aquarists with husbandry (feeding, cleaning, etc) and facility maintenance! Aquarium Facility REEF Organism Care
This is a part-time internship for 2025. Working hours are Monday-Saturday.
Late applications will not be considered.
To apply, please email the following materials to msi-outreach@ucsb.edu with the subject “REEFGuideWinter, 2025” by midnight on December 20th, 2024:
Cover letter
Resume
Winter quarter schedule (rough schedule okay)
One-minute video
Make sure your application materials are shared via Google Drive with outreach@msi.ucsb.edu, AND scott.simon@ucsb.edu as well.
Format your application materials as follows:
Title files with your first initial and last name, for example: X_Xxyyzz_coverletter.pdf, X_Xxyyzz_resume.pdf, X_Xxyyzz_schedule.pdf, X_Xxyyzz_video.mp4
Send documents in PDF format and video in MP4 or MOV format
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Interviews will be held, daily, in person during the fi rst and second week of Winter Quarter from 8AM–1PM. You must be available during that time.
Address all application materials to Scott E. Simon, scott.simon@ucsb.edu.
Entity: SBC LTER
Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research (SBC LTER) internships are for students interested in kelp forest ecology, marine science and/or scientific SCUBA diving.
If helping run laboratory experiments and participating in field research, including beach surveys and scuba diving, is something of interest to you, apply at SBC LTER Volunteer Application and Waiver.
We encourage all motivated students to apply if you hope to gain invaluable hands-on experience in a marine science lab!
Paid: No
If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to email Darrin Ambat, dambat@ucsb.edu.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Jordan Ng
The REEF
Lead Informal Science Educator
Jordan is a third year aquatic biology major with an education minor from Simi Valley, CA. At The REEF, he oversees programs and assists with aquarist tasks. Outside of the REEF, he is an assistant in the Crab Lab, the percussion principle of the wind ensemble here at UCSB, and a emergency department volunteer at Cottage Health.
Being able to express my passion for marine life while being a part of the MSI community has been one of the most rewarding experiences here at UCSB.
