Internship - Ocean Microplastics Research

Mission to Metrics

In our mission to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, we rely on a thorough understanding of the ocean plastic pollution problem. The research team at The Ocean Cleanup aims to refine our understanding of the sources, transport, and fate of ocean plastics. An important aspect of our research is understanding the formation of ocean plastic garbage patches in the global ocean. To this end, our team is conducting research on the spatiotemporal distribution of floating plastic debris and neuston in the North Pacific Ocean.

You will be responsible for the analysis of trawl samples collected from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in our laboratory in Rotterdam. Your results will be used to elevate our understanding of plastic transport and fate in the marine environment.

Taking on responsibility of the sample analysis and working independently in the laboratory is an important part of this internship. The success of this project relies on delivering high-quality data to achieve the objective of mapping the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and, in turn, guiding our cleanup efforts.

“As a scientist at The Ocean Cleanup, you will be able to perform innovative research on ocean plastic pollution. Your findings will directly be used to optimize our cleanup efforts. Come join our diverse team of scientists and help us understand and solve this pressing environmental issue.” Dr Peter Puskic, Senior Field Scientist Oceans.

Responsibilities

Responsible for manual counts, polymer ID and image segmentation of plastic particles and identifying plankton collected from Manta trawl samples in our laboratory in Rotterdam. You will follow protocols to deliver high-quality data on the amount and type of plastics and marine life present in The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Other responsibilities include:

• Familiarizing yourself with the different techniques used to extract and analyze plastics from trawl samples
• Using FTIR spectroscopy to identify the polymer types of the extracted plastics
• Using our automated quantification system to infer plastic types and dimensions quickly and efficiently
• Conduct data analysis and present your exciting new findings to the wider research team in a presentation or report (or both!)

Professional Qualifications

• Have completed or are undertaking a bachelor's degree in; Marine Sciences, Marine Biology, Chemistry, or pursuing post-graduate science education in a related field
• Experience with laboratory protocols, procedures, and safety measures is desired
• Experience with plastic pollution research is desired
• Experience with chemical and biological research in the laboratory is desired
• Basic knowledge of plankton taxonomy is a plus
• Demonstrated experience in science communication, addressing both researchers and a wider audience
• Fluent in spoken and written English

Personal Qualifications

• Able to perform well in a fast-paced and challenging environment
• Comfortable with the demands of laboratory work
• Curious, creative, and determined to deliver
• Ability to work independently
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Intrinsic motivation to work towards our ambitious and meaningful goal

Additional Details

• Staring date: March 1st, 2025
• Duration: 6 month
• WORK PERMIT NEEDED: European Union
• At The Ocean Cleanup, we believe we are stronger together, while harnessing the uniqueness each individual brings. That is why we take a fair, equal opportunity, and transparent approach to hiring and welcome special needs requests.

Curious to hear how it is to work at The Ocean Cleanup? Listen to our team members explain their work in our podcast.