Internship Opportunities

Are you a student looking to gain hands-on professional experience in the field of toxics use reduction? The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell offers exciting internship opportunities for motivated individuals passionate about environmental sustainability and public health. 

What We Offer: 

  • Meaningful Experience: Interns will engage in projects that contribute to our mission of reducing toxics used to manufacture products, gaining practical skills in research, data analysis, adult learning and outreach. 
  • Flexible Options: Our internships are designed to accommodate your academic goals. Students can earn course credit or volunteer their time, allowing for a tailored experience that fits your educational journey. 
  • Professional Development: Interns will have the chance to network with professionals in the field, participate in projects, and enhance their resumes with relevant experience. 

Who Should Apply: 

We welcome applications from students of all backgrounds who are interested in environmental science, public health, sustainability, marketing, policy, research, training and related fields. Whether you’re seeking course credit or looking to volunteer, if you’re eager to make a difference and learn more about toxics use reduction, we want to hear from you.  

How to Apply: 

To apply for an internship with TURI, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interests and goals. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early submission is encouraged. 

Join us at TURI and contribute to a healthier environment while gaining invaluable experience! For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. 

We look forward to welcoming you to our team. 

 

  • Training coordination, resource curation & outreach materials 

    Overview 

    The Toxics Use Reduction Institute offers professional education and training for adult learners, including toxics use reduction planners, environmental health & safety professionals and others. This intern will help organize events, manage training program documentation, expand TURI’s online resource guide, and refresh public-facing materials that communicate the value of the training program. 

    Responsibilities 

    • Help organize training events such as webinars, including coordinating speakers, outreach and logistics 
    • Manage continuing education certification records and attendee tracking  
    • Collect, organize, and summarize post-event feedback to help improve future offerings 
    • Identify and curate additional environmental health and safety training resources for TURI’s audience in topics such as safer chemicals and materials, occupational health and resource conservation  
    • Update existing brochures and fact sheets about TURI’s professional training program 
    • Collaborate with TURI training and lab teams throughout development 

    Ideal background 

    • Public health  
    • Science communication 
    • Communications or marketing 
    • Education 

  • Course redesign, multimedia content & outreach materials 

    Overview 

    The Toxics Use Reduction Institute’s “Beyond the Safety Data Sheet” course introduces learners to toxicology, chemical hazards and tools for finding safer alternatives. This intern will research and edit the course to better complement UMass Lowell’s laboratory training program, tailoring it for an undergraduate research audience while preserving its value for a broader public audience. There is creative latitude to develop videos, graphics, interactive elements, and other engaging content in the LearnDash learning management system. 

    Responsibilities 

    • Review the existing “Beyond the SDS” course content and assess how well it complements current UMass Lowell lab safety training 
    • Identify gaps: what do undergraduate researchers at UML need to know about safer alternatives that isn’t covered in standard lab safety orientation? 
    • Adapt existing materials with a focus on practical, research-relevant skills like navigating chemical hazard databases for undergraduates 
    • Create multimedia course content such as short videos, graphics, interactive quizzes, or scenario-based exercises suited to an online format 
    • Pilot the revised content with a small group of UML students and incorporate feedback 
    • Collaborate with TURI training and lab teams throughout development

    Ideal background 

    • Chemistry or biochemistry 
    • Environmental sciences 
    • Public health  
    • Education 

  • Curriculum development & hands-on workshop protocols 

    Overview 

    The Toxics Use Reduction Institute hosts workshops (ranging from a few hours to multiple days) and longer programs (days to weeks) for high school and undergraduate students, covering topics in green chemistry, chemicals and health, safer products and materials, and environmental health communication. TURI is seeking a student intern to help codify, organize, and formalize existing materials for these workshops and programs into reproducible, shareable curricula suitable for high school and undergraduate audiences. Work spans documentation, curriculum design and beta testing materials.  

    Responsibilities 

    • Evaluate existing teaching materials: identify gaps, suggest improvements to content, sequencing, and accessibility, and note where activities could be strengthened for specific audiences 
    • Write up clear, reproducible protocols and facilitator guides for each activity so outside organizations can replicate them with minimal support 
    • Compare TURI’s curriculum to peer offerings (e.g., Beyond Benign’s green chemistry education resources) and identify best practices or opportunities to differentiate 
    • Beta test workshop activities 
    • Collaborate with TURI training and lab teams throughout development 

    Ideal background 

    • Public health  
    • Science communication 
    • Education