Prince Undergraduate Internship Digitizing plant fossils

Prince Internship undergraduate - Digitizing plant fossils from Mazon Creek Illinois

The Mazon Creek fossil beds southwest of Chicago preserve a diverse flora and fauna from the Pennsylvanian Subperiod (310 million years ago) when Illinois was located along the equator and a forest grew along the ancient coastline. Mazon Creek plant fossils are preserved in beautiful detail and the recent implementation of state-of-the-art techniques by FMNH paleobotany researchers has revealed never-before-seen internal anatomy surface features and architecture. X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT) is a powerful technique used to visualize specimens in three dimensions and expose details of the internal anatomy increasing our understanding of the structure and function of the plants and indicating possible higher floral diversity than previously recognized.

The undergraduate intern will process CT scan data using Avizo software to make 3D models of fossil plant specimens including seeds and cones from the Field Museums collection. These models will then be used to interpret the morphology and ecology of the plants.

The intern will also catalog specimens in the collection database (EMu) photograph specimens process photographs and learn how to properly curate both physical fossils and associated digital data.

Salary of $17.75 per hour; 35 hours per week for 10 weeks with a desired start date of June 1st or 8th 2026. Applications must be received by May 8th 2026. Candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted by May 15th 2026.

Applicants must apply through the Field Museum website. Applications through other websites will not be considered.

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