Marine Physical Laboratory Summer Internship Program 2026

The Marine Physical Laboratory (MPL) is an organized research unit of the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and lab at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO).

Originally established as a Navy-orientated research laboratory in 1946, MPL has maintained a strong multidisciplinary research program consisting entirely of sponsored projects, with a large sponsorship from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

MPL is currently seeking applications for its 2026 Summer Intern Program. Applicants should be inquisitive and motivated second or third year undergraduate students with a strong background in quantitative science with majors in Marine Science, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Summer Intern salary will be $18.25 per hour, not to exceed 40 hours per week. The program will last approximately 8 consecutive weeks and will take place at SIO in beautiful La Jolla. Deadline for applications is Friday, Jan 23, 2026 at Midnight Pacific time. Additional information about the MPL Summer Internship Program and requirements is available via the MPL internship website at https://mpl.ucsd.edu/internships.

Applicants Should:

• be currently enrolled as a 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate student at a college or university with a major applicable to research done at MPL -- such as marine science, applied mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering -- and should not be in your senior year
• be considering a career in scientific research
• Must be available to start at MPL in La Jolla, California, on June 22 and work for the full 8-week duration through August 17.
• be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and not have already been an MPL intern
• be at least 18 years old as of the internship start date

Applications will be accepted until Friday, Jan 23, 2026 at Midnight Pacific time.