Careers at the Lake Superior Reserve

Student Monitoring and Stewardship Technician

The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve in Superior, WI, seeks an undergraduate student to assist with water quality research, monitoring, and stewardship projects on the St. Louis River and Lake Superior. Gain professional experience working in a laboratory. Learn several technical skills that will propel a career in the natural sciences. Assist with outdoor field work on boats and in wetlands and forests, laboratory analyses, and data entry. Position is open to all majors and international students.

This job opportunity provides extensive on the job training. No prior technical expertise is required. All the primary duties, including assisting with laboratory analysis, field research, and data entry, will be taught. Some examples of skills learned on the job include calibrating water quality computers, collecting water samples, identifying plants, and land management techniques. The technician is supervised but occasionally works independently once they are comfortable performing routine tasks.

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until April 1st, 2026.

Contact:
Hannah Nicklay
Interim Research Coordinator

Lake Superior Freshwater Fellow

The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve in Superior, WI is excited to announce the seventh year of the Lake Superior Freshwater Fellowship Program. The Freshwater Fellowship presents an exciting opportunity for an undergraduate student to independently craft and conduct research under the guidance of a mentor at the Lake Superior Reserve.  With a focus on the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the surrounding community, this Fellowship provides a professional development experience that trains students in coastal and estuarine research, education, training, and stewardship. One student will be selected each year to conduct and communicate research to a variety of audiences.  Research will align with the Reserve’s ongoing projects and research. This year, we are especially interested in finding a student eager to conduct muskrat surveys, but other projects can range across disciplines, so all majors are encouraged to apply.  

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until April 1st, 2026.

Contact:
Hannah Nicklay
Interim Research Coordinator

Seasonal Lake Superior Estuarium Outreach Assistant

Application deadline April 1.

The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve in Superior, WI, seeks a seasonal Lake Superior Estuarium Outreach Assistant to assist with community-learning opportunities about and with the St. Louis River and communities along its shores.

Work seasonally on the Reserve Education team as the hub of drop in visitor experience– host community events and listen to, educate, and communicate with people of all ages and life experiences in a public, interpretive exhibit hall setting. The Estuarium Outreach Assistant works full time for 12 weeks from early May through early September as the lead staff in the Lake Superior Estuarium – a public exhibit hall with free admission that tells stories of the St. Louis River Estuary & Lake Superior. Oversee the daily operation of the Lake Superior Estuarium, coordinate and train docent and staff volunteers, greet and engage visitors, assist with Reserve education efforts like teaching educational programs for young children or visiting groups, do light upkeep of the exhibit spaces, communicate about projects at the Lake Superior Reserve and upcoming events, promote the Estuarium, update and maintain exhibit hall curriculum, and coordinate or co-host community outreach events.

Contact:
Luciana Ranelli,
Lake Superior Reserve Education Coordinator