Ocean Field & Data Intern (COVE Internship Program)

Ocean Field & Data Intern

COVE

Dartmouth NS

Host Company:

Centre for Marine Applied Research (CMAR)
27 Parker Street
Dartmouth NS B2Y 4T5

Who is COVE

COVE is a tech hub and commercialization partner home to more than 400 organizations that use its facilitiesservicesand programs.COVE brings together industry academia and government to accelerate marine technology development and commercialization - from seabed to space - ensuring resilient supply chains built with Canadian solutions. Through its vast international network COVE has been at the forefront of providing invaluable networking opportunities fostering connections and leading discussions within the global marine technology community.

COVE spearheads programs aimed at nurturing talentexpeditingthe release of technology products and bolstering the success of emerging ventures by startups scaleups and SMEs. These initiatives coupled with COVEs ability to harness diverse skills andexpertisenationally within the innovation ecosystem serve as an enabler for overcoming industry challenges driving economic growth and delivering value to investors.

As COVE experiences rapid expansion we are activelyseekingto expand our team to further bolster our transformational influence on the marine sector. We recognize that our journey toward this goal hinges on the strength of our team-a group of individuals who collaborate innovate and continually strive for excellence. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey of discovery and advancement.

What is the COVE Internship Program

We are looking for bright talented individuals at the post-secondary level interested in the marine sector who are looking to gain valuable hands-on work experience. You will be placed with a host company in the marine sector and will be working on a core project for their business. Projects areinterdisciplinaryand students will be collaborating closely with other students and staff from different disciplines.

The COVE internship is a collaboration withnumerouscompanies that are leaders in the marine and marine technologysector. We are diligent in placing students in a role with a company that is well aligned with their discipline of study skillset and future career ambitions. Canadas marine sector is growing and thriving and contributes millions of dollars to our national economy on an annual basis. COVE is seeking interns who are Canadas best and brightest to be part of this phenomenal growth.

• Internship Eligibility:

• • Open to post-secondary students across all disciplines (i.e.Environmental Sciences Statistics Engineering Computer Science Business Marketing and Communications etc.)

• • Students must be actively enrolled in a post-secondary program at the time of the summer internship

• • Based on the required skillsets placements are typically geared towards second-year undergraduate students and above

• • Collaborative self-starter

• • Open to learning

• • Have experience or an interest in the marine sector

• • International students must be eligible to work in Canada and have a valid study/work permit

• Program Highlights:

• • 16-week full-time paid (min. $22/hr) employment from May-August 2026

• • Project-based learning opportunity with a host company in Nova Scotia

• • Professional development sessions

• • Mentorship from industry professionals

• • Networking opportunities

The Opportunity:

CMAR is an independent division ofPerenniaFood and Agriculture Corp. which leads and supports applied research projects that advance the management long-term sustainability growth and resilience of Nova Scotias marine coastal resources.

Our diverse group of scientists and specialists conduct research andparticipatein science advisory work to improve the management and development of ecologically and economically valuable marine resources. We promote innovation and science-based decision-making by collecting andanalyzingbiophysical and socio-economic data.

CMARoperatesunder a flexible hybrid work environment. The intern can expect to work in-person at CMARs COVE office2times per weeksplit between CMARs office at COVE (Dartmouth) and Dalhousie Universitys Department of Oceanography (Halifax). Remaining days may be completed remotely or in office depending on preference or operational needs.Some weeks may requireadditionalin-office days for meetings COVE networking events or project requirements.TheResearch Assistantis not required tohave access to a vehicle. There may be opportunities for them to be involved in some fieldwork throughout the internship if interested.The intern will be supported by CMARs Coastal Monitoring Program Principal Scientist withadditionalsupervisionfrom AssistantProfessor in Dalhousies Department of Oceanography.

What you will be doing:

CMAR isseekinga motivated and detail-oriented Research Assistant for a 16-week full-time summer internship as part of the COVE Internship Program. The intern willbe responsible foridentifyinglocations around Nova Scotia with concurrent-in-time data available from CMARs Coastal Monitoring Program. For these locations the Research Assistant will use statistical techniques (e.g. covariance analysis and power spectra) to examine temporal coherence of surface temperature. For sites with thermistor chains where temperature data is available throughout the water column the intern will examine seasonal variability in temperature stratification comparing across sites when possible. For stations withlongertime series the Research Assistant will examine trends over time with a focus on inter-annual variability. Where possible the Research Assistant may also consult data from nearby weather stations to explain variability and forcings responsible forobservedphenomena. This role is ideal for students with a background in oceanography marine science or data-focused disciplines such as computer science with exposure to environmental datasets.

Data Analysis & Research

• Identify Nova Scotia locations with concurrent-in-time data from CMARs CoastalMonitoring Program.

• Use statistical techniques (e.g. covariance analysis power spectra) to examine temporal coherence of surface temperature.

• Analyze seasonal variability in temperature stratification at sites with thermistor chaindata.

• Assess inter-annual variability and long-term trends at stations with extended time
  series.

• Where applicable integrate nearby weather station data to interpret variability and
  physical drivers.

• Exploreadditional analyses related to climate change signals and distinguishing biofouling from true dissolved oxygen patterns.

Project Deliverables

• Project Proposal: motivation methodsanticipatedchallenges expectedoutcomes.

• Mid-point Interim Report: progress summary methodological updates and challengesencountered.

• Final Report: full write-up including motivation methods results and broader oceanographic context.

• Final Code: clean annotated code and associated files.

• Attendweekly check-in meetings with supervisors and stakeholders.

What you will bring:

• Background in Oceanography Marine Science or Computer Science with some oceanographic knowledge.
• Experience working with tabular datasets and data wrangling.
• Coding experience in R and/or Python; experience with large datasets is an asset.
• Strong organizational communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small team environment.
• Experience using Git/GitHub is an asset.
• The successful applicant would preferably be entering the 3rd or 4th year of their post-secondary degree. Prior education or work experience in the ocean sector or in a related science field is not required but would be considered an asset.

COVE is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals who are traditionally underrepresented in the marine sector including women IndigenousPeoplesindividuals from underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds and other equity-deserving groups.

To submitan application click Apply.The deadline for submission is 11:59 pm ADTMondayFebruary 11th 2026. We thank all candidates for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Required Experience:

Junior IC