Description of InternshipArchbold Biological Station (Archbold) is seeking an artist to work as a Science Illustration Intern for a period of four months. The intern is expected to live and work at Archbold for at least two or a maximum of three months. Free accommodation will be provided for the intern during their stay on-site at Archbold.
The Scientific Illustration Intern will create a series of at least eight illustrated factsheets (infographic-style) focused on the relationship between fire, Florida scrub ecosystems, and rare species persistence. These engaging, visually driven factsheets will educate public and private land managers about the critical role of prescribed fire in Florida scrub ecosystems and communicate the need for appropriate fire management to ensure the persistence of rare species.
These illustrated factsheets will include accessible, plain language summaries of scientific information describing relationships between prescribed fire regimes and rare species ecology. Content will also include management recommendations, supported by original illustrations, addressing appropriate fire return intervals and fire seasonality for rare species conservation.
The series will cover a suite of rare, fire dependent species studied at Archbold, including Florida Scrub-Jays, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Florida Grasshopper Sparrows, Gopher Tortoises, and several rare plant species. The illustrated factsheets will also compare and contrast fire management needs across multiple rare species to highlight potential tradeoffs among species with differing ecological requirements.
Through side-by-side illustrations and plain language explanations, the series will communicate how land managers can address these tradeoffs using adaptive strategies, such as varying fire return intervals across space and time to support multiple species within working landscapes. This comparative approach will train the intern to synthesize complex ecological information and translate multispecies tradeoffs into clear, decision relevant visual communication.
In addition, the series will include an overview of Archbold's prescribed fire management program, how land managers evaluate the effectiveness of fire management, and the importance of fire in working ranch landscapes, drawing on Archbold's agroecology research.
Living at an active research site during the internship will allow the intern to experience the research first-hand and find inspiration through immersion in the unique Florida Scrub environment. We hope that this internship will build a bridge between artists and researchers, and help researchers spread awareness about Archbold's conservation work through unique and eye-catching artwork to be used in public outreach and science communication.
The intern will have significant creative freedom over these illustrated factsheets while also incorporating input and receiving mentorship from researchers, artists, science illustrators, and species specialists.
Qualifications:To qualify for this internship, you must be currently enrolled in, or be a recent graduate of, an art-focused, undergraduate or graduate level program.
Compensation: $2500/month
Start Date: Summer 2026, Flexible.
Duration: 4 months with at least 2 months on-site at Archbold.
Application Deadline: 06/15/2026
Applying:If you're interested in applying to this internship with us, please apply with a cover letter describing your interest in this internship, your CV/resume, and a link to your art portfolio by June 15, 2026.
Archbold is an equal opportunity employer. We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected status. Archbold will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and stands proud of its collaborative culture
Archbold's mission is to build and share the scientific knowledge needed to protect the life, lands, and waters of Florida, and beyond. Archbold's footprint encompasses the ancient scrub habitats of the Lake Wales Ridge; the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape; the vast, open ranchlands of Central Florida; and the many waterways that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and then drain to the coasts, touching the lives of millions of Floridians. Archbold studies and protects these natural wonders as ecosystems: as complex networks shaped by measurable natural processes. Our dozens of research sites encompass the pristine sand dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge; the ranchlands and wetlands that make up much of Central Florida; and the rivers that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and beyond.
Today Archbold stewards a rich mosaic of natural habitats, native ecosystems, working lands, and historic buildings at Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch. The Station and the Ranch serve as the place-based crucible for our innovative science, conservation, and education programs. These draw from a long, deep history, dating back from our beginnings, founded by Richard Archbold in 1941.
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