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Science Research Mentor

Wave Hill Incorporated
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Since 1980, Wave Hill has provided hands-on learning experiences for youth in forest restoration and natural sciences, nurturing human connection to the natural world and inspiring life-long dedication to urban ecology. Wave Hill is seeking working scientists to mentor students in our Woodland Ecology Research Mentorship (WERM), a unique and immersive 14- month paid internship program for motivated New York City high school students to engage in ecological restoration and science research in the city’s natural areas. Students spend approximately ten months with Wave Hill staff doing formal and informal coursework, fieldwork and training in ecology and geographic information systems (GIS). WERM interns are then placed with mentors to design and carry out a research project. The research project, based on the mentor's research, will be completed during summer 2026. Wave Hill staff actively support mentors throughout the project. Guided by our team, WERM interns work independently on days that they are not meeting with their mentors. For more information on Wave Hill, please visit www.wavehill.org.  

Responsibilities 

  • Serve as a Science Research Mentor to a small group of high school students 
  • Work with students to design a research project relating to the ecology of NYC natural areas and connected in some way to your own research. 
  • Commit approximately 100 hours to the program. This includes mentoring time and contact time with students, as well as prep, communication with Wave Hill staff, and attending planning meetings 
    • About 40 hours between March and June: Mentors will engage in mentorship training and planning sessions, introduce their research to students, and take preliminary steps with their groups for the research process. 
    • About 60 hours between July and August: Mentors will supervise the project, making sure it is moving along, reviewing skills, methods, and concepts, and introducing your field of science 
    • When not meeting with students, mentors must ensure that students are prepared to work independently on parts of the project 
    • It is expected that mentors will communicate actively with Wave Hill staff regarding students’ progress, performance expectations and schedules. 

Requirements 

  • Must be an active scientist, researcher or field technician involved with natural areas in and around NYC. A strong preference will be given for Bronx and northern Manhattan research sites. 
  • Master’s Degree in a field related to ecology, biology, conservation, or GIS preferred. A graduate student or experienced researcher/field technician participating in ecological research will be considered. 
  • Willingness and desire to work with urban youth 
  • Comfortable working outdoors during field work in spaces with mixed-material pathways and varying elevations.   
  • Experience in educational settings a plus. 

Compensation: $5,000 stipend                          Dates: March – August 2026 

If you are interested, please email a CV/Resume to youthprograms@wavehill.org by January 31, 2026.