Computer Science Internship

Project Description:

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) and Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) seek a summer intern for late May through mid-August 2026 (12 weeks) to assist with the continued development data management processes and updating the capabilities of a data visualization application for the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS) and Hypoxia stations. The data visualization application is envisioned to have the capability to visualize environmental observation time series data, climatological data (synthesis of multiple years of data), vertical water column data and vector data (winds, currents) using open matplotlib in python. Web based plotting is also and options using a library like Chart.js. Integrating the quality control values in the plotting is an important component of the data presentation. 

The position involves working with stakeholders in the Chesapeake Bay office to figure out how the data can be interpreted to enhance their programs and align with products like the Seasonal Summaries Report and State of the Ecosystem.

In addition to supporting thorough quality control of past CBIBS data there are 3 areas of work that the intern will have the opportunity to be involved in based on interest, experience and capacity. These areas are

  1. Continue work on Hypoxia Vertical Profile data plotting. This involves creating time series plots with quality control flags.
  2. Continue the CBIBS plotting data. This project would result in the creation of static plots from CBIBS data and has a web front end to view them. 
  3. Combining the long term historical data with the current vertical profiling data to create climatology plots. 

Opportunities

This internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the NOAA mission of providing high-quality observations in the Chesapeake Bay. There are opportunities to program in the full stack from the database, middleware up to the web presentation layers. There are also opportunities to go out on the NCBO boats for buoy maintenance. This internship offers the opportunity to develop skills in application development in support of data analysis and visualization used by internal NOAA audiences and ultimately members of the science community, education community and general public.  Additionally this position will provide insight into careers at the intersection of environmental science, programming, and systems engineering. This internship also provides an opportunity to apply these skills in the field and to expand the intern’s knowledge of Chesapeake flora and fauna.

Deliverables 

  • Support data management and the development of plots using python to display the data
  • Review, document and enhance automated and manual quality control
  • Creating a web based front end to display the data using HTML and PHP
  • Presentation to NCBO staff at the conclusion of the internship summarizing the experiences gained and work conducted 

Eligibility

  • Must be a resident and/or attend a college/university within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (NY, PA, MD, DE, DC, VA or WV)
  • Must be a college-level student entering junior, or senior year of undergraduate study
  • Must be a U.S. citizen and willing to undergo a security background check

Required Qualifications 

  • Willingness to engage in physically demanding work, typically taking place outdoors on a boat
  • Motivated self-starter with ability to work and reason independently
  • The candidate must be familiar with python and general programming methodologies.

Desired Qualifications

  • Working familiarity with the basics of python (SqlLite, matplotlib, numpy), Chart.js and HTML
  • Customer service experience
  • Optional: experience with postres (pl/pgsql)

Work Location and Duration 

We envision that this position will be an in-person position and will be based out of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office or NCBO Warehouse in Annapolis, Maryland. 

The position will begin in mid-May and conclude in mid-August and will be in pace for 12 weeks. We plan on providing interns with access to a NOAA computer,email and phone services (in the office).

Compensation 

The intern will be reimbursed at the end of each month, for a total of up to $6,500 for the equivalent of 12 weeks (422 hours). Funds are available to compensate interns for occasional work-related travel. Additionally a $1000 housing allowance is available upon request and with demonstrated need. Candidates should expect to follow a normal weekday work schedule (roughly 9-5, M-F) with occasional variations for possible field work or other activities. No benefits are provided. 

Application Instructions 

Applicants are instructed to register with the Chesapeake Jobs online application website: https://chesapeake.org/ncbo/ to apply. You will be instructed to submit a resume detailing your education and work experience and a cover letter that details your interest in this position and describes how your skill set will contribute to the work described above. Please include your first and last name in the file name for both your resume and cover letter. You will also be asked to provide the review team with three references. The deadline for applications is February 8, 2026.

Applicants are instructed to register with the Chesapeake Jobs online application website: https://chesapeake.org/ncbo/ to apply. You will be instructed to submit a resume detailing your education and work experience and a cover letter that details your interest in this position and describes how your skill set will contribute to the work described above. Please include your first and last name in the file name for both your resume and cover letter. You will also be asked to provide the review team with three references. The deadline for applications is February 8, 2026.

Application Form