Hatchery Intern Opportunity
The internship application period has closed for 2026. Check back next year!
Quick Links: Internship Description | Key Dates | Go to Application Download Links
The internship application period has closed for 2026. Check back next year!
2026 Oyster Hatchery Internship Opportunity
The oyster culture program at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory is accepting applications for a spring or summer internship in 2026.
Oyster aquaculture in Maryland is a rapidly growing industry with countless opportunities for innovative ideas and for those with a strong work ethic to make a meaningful difference. Since the revision of the lease laws in Maryland during 2009, the state has seen a strong increase in aquaculture operations. With this surge comes and increased demand for a workforce who is trained in unique aquaculture job skills.
Where: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory Oyster Hatchery located at 2020 Horns Point Road in Cambridge, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
When: Candidates should be able to work for 12-28 consecutive weeks within the timeframe of April 2026 and October 2026. Spring and summer internships will be considered. Most work is conducted Monday-Friday 8am-3pm, occasionally irregular hours may occur. Weekend and holiday work is required. A total of 40 hours will be worked per week including weekend shifts.
What you’ll do:
- Become part of the hatchery team and learn all aspects of oyster culture
- Complete rotations and become competent in all aspects of oyster cultivation
- Collect data
- Basic troubleshooting
- Earn digital badges
- Give back to the Chesapeake Bay
Qualifications:
- Able to lift and carry at least 50 pounds, this job is extremely physical and is comprised of manual labor
- Commitment to working in a wet, muddy, and humid environment.
- Numerous weekend shifts required to work.
- Interest in aquaculture, fisheries, biology, environmental sciences or a related field
- Be prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for wet and muddy conditions.
- Commit to arrive on time
- Reliable transportation
Pay: $15/hour before taxes paid biweekly, limited housing may be available.
Rotations
Interns will rotate through various aspects of the hatchery and should be capable of working independently after training.
Broodstock Management
Broodstock is our stock of mature adult oysters that are used for breeding (or spawning). Our broodstock are managed in various locations (floats in boat basin, holding tanks and broodstock conditioning tables). Interns will help move, sort, clean, and manage broodstock.
- Collecting, maintaining, and cleaning broodstock oysters
- Learning the conditioning process
- Processing oysters for assessment
Spawning
Reproduction of adult oysters by the release of gametes (eggs and sperm) into the water column is known as broadcast spawning. Interns will learn how to spawn oysters in a controlled environment.
- Setting up/breaking down
- Determining sex ratio
- Fertilizing eggs
- Learning microscope techniques
Larval Rearing
Once oyster eggs are fertilized, they are transferred into large tanks. While in the large tanks, oyster larvae are free-swimming animals that feed on algae and grow to maturity in 2-3 weeks. Interns will learn all aspects of growing and caring for developing oyster larvae.
- Filter operation and how to fill tanks for culture
- Cleaning larval rearing tanks
- Sorting larvae and assessing maturity
- Performing larval counts
Algae Production
A standard hatchery diet of at least 4 species of different types of algae, or phytoplankton, is grown at our hatchery to feed the oyster larvae and seed. We process algae in a semi-continuous manner where cultures start in flasks and scaled up with sterile media into glass carboys and then into larger tanks. Interns will learn all aspects of sterilizing water, transferring algae cultures, and maintaining cultures to produce high quality algae to feed production runs.
- Maintaining carboy cultures
- Cleaning and inoculating tanks
- Operating various equipment
Setting & Planting
Setting is the process of introducing mature pediveliger larvae into outdoor tanks and allowing them to attach to oyster shell to produce spat-on-shell. Our setting pier holds 52 setting tanks, filled with cages full of oyster shells. Once attached, the spat will be deployed to restoration/industry locations in the Bay. Interns will learn how to properly prepare setting tanks, introduce larvae, collect and count samples, and participate in planting rotations as the spat leave the pier.
- Filling/draining tanks
- Collecting samples and processing data
- Introducing larvae to setting tanks
- Accurately determining spat on shell numbers
- Early morning sampling on deployment days
Seed Production
Cultchess seed is primarily used for the half-shell market, but can be used for research in aquaculture advancements. Interns will learn all aspects of seed production from setting up the downwelling tanks to grading and packaging mature seed for sale.
- Setting larvae on ground cultch
- Sorting and counting seed
- Upweller and downweller operation
Demonstration Farm
The HPL Oyster Hatchery fosters working relationships with other research institutions. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has a longline system at HPL where families of oysters are held. The HPL Hatchery helps maintain these lines during the year. Interns will be required to assist in the operation.
- Maintenance of oysters growing on long line system
- Learning how to work in non-ideal weather conditions
Externship Opportunity
The HPL Oyster Hatchery fosters working relationships with oyster farmers to provide a real-world experience in the aquaculture industry. Interns will be required to experience life on a working oyster farm for at least one rotation, but may return if they would like. Local farms include the Choptank Oyster Company and Madhouse Oysters.
Other
- Basic laboratory skills
- Data collection using hand-held scientific instruments
- Answering phone calls in a professional manner
- Assisting with large hands-on experiences for tour groups
Timeline
November 19, 2025 Applications are now being accepted
Nov 26- Nov 30, Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 *HPL Closed for Holidays*
January 22, 2026 1:00 PM In Person Intern tour (virtual by request)
February 6, 2026 COMPLETED applications due by 11:59:59 PM
Feb 9 – Feb 27, 2026 Applications under review
March 2 – March 13, 2026 Applicants notified of their status, interviews scheduled
March 16- March 25, 2026 Applicant interviews
March 27, 2026 Internship offers made
April 3, 2026 Offers must be accepted no later than 11:59:59 PM
April – June 15, 2026 Interns start
Application Submission Instructions and Deadline
If you have any questions about this opportunity, need assistance filling out this application, or you would like to attend our virtual intern tour, please contact Stephanie Alexander at tobash@umces.edu or (410)221-8310.
Applications can be downloaded from our website (below), but all materials must be submitted through the University of Maryland’s Workday Platform.
Workday Platform Application Link
Applicants must submit the following to the Workday Platform:
1. Cover Letter
2. Application Form
3. A copy of your most recent transcript that lists all courses you have taken to-date and the grades you have received. Both unofficial and official copies are accepted.
4. A minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation from an individual capable of commenting on your academic qualifications and work ethic. These letters may be emailed directly to Stephanie Alexander at tobash@umces.edu
5. A resume or curriculum vitae describing any relevant jobs, internships, volunteer work, scholarships and/or other activities that you have held or participated in and other skills or accomplishments that you wish to identify.
Workday Platform Application Link
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been uploaded to Workday before the deadline. All materials, including application, transcript, letters of recommendation, and resume or CV are expected to be completed and submitted by February 6, 2026 11:59:59 PM. We will not consider applications that are incomplete. We strongly encourage applicants to attend the in-person tour of our facility offered on January 22, 2026 (virtual tour by request only). Please email Stephanie Alexander at tobash@umces.edu to add your name to a list for the virtual tour.
Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without discrimination because of sex, marital status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, or the presence of a non-job-related handicap.
Application Form Download Links – choose your desired format
Application as PDF | Application as a Word Doc (.docx)