The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (DDPSC) is offering competitive paid summer internships for high school students interested in plant and agricultural sciences. These internships will take place on-site, providing hands-on experience in various settings such as traditional laboratories, outdoor field plots, greenhouses, or through computational work and educational activities. Interns will collaborate closely with mentor scientists, who will provide guidance and support throughout the internship. The duration of the program will vary based on the specific needs of each laboratory and the interns’ availability.

This opportunity is ideal for motivated high school students eager to explore careers in science and gain practical experience in a dynamic research environment.

 Responsibilities: The responsibilities vary among labs, but all interns are expected to:                  

• Receive training
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Participate in lab meetings and activities
• Collaborate with team members
• Disseminate their results
• Follow safety guidelines

 Requirements:                                                                                                                                

• Students must be 16 years or older
• Employment eligibility to work in the United States
• Students must be enrolled in a high school program or graduated from high school in spring 2025
• Prefer work schedule of at least 15 hours per week for a minimum of 4 weeks during the summer
• Attention to detail
• Follow instructions
• Communication skills

 Submission:                                                                                                                                      

• Students must complete an application that should be submitted by midnight (central time) on February 28, 2025.

• To apply complete the application and attach your resume. The application instructions include a link to a questionnaire where you will be able to provide: 

1. information about your preferences for the type of activities, internship settings, and research interests, as well as your availability during the summer

2. a personal statement that is divided into two sections about your goals and any relatable experiences

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center:

Founded in 1998, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Our focus is scientific research at the nexus of food, energy, and the environment to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. We assemble interactive teams of scientists and develop unique platforms to discover underlying principles about how plants work. We then convert that knowledge into useful crops and products, and partner with organizations that are best positioned to solve problems where they exist around the world. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is proudly an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions at the Danforth Center are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It is our policy that the Danforth Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin and status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities.