EPIC: Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) - Republic of the Marshall Islands

Job Title: Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority Intern

Department/Team: Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) with support provided by the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS)

Location: The position will be based on Majuro Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) for a 10-week internship. Please see the Logistics section for details on housing and other expenses.

Duration: 40 hours per week for ten weeks over the summer academic quarter

Reports to: Alicia Edwards (RMI Protected Area Network Coordinator) in close collaboration with Florence Edwards (Deputy Director), and under the overarching guidance of MIMRA Executive Director, Glen Joseph. Depending on the selected project, other MIMRA staff may serve in a mentorship capacity. Preceding the time in Majuro, mentorship will be provided by Eric Hartge (COS Research Development Manager) under the guidance of the COS Co-Directors, Fio Micheli and Jim Leape. Depending on the specific applied research, other COS research staff may serve in a mentorship capacity.

Areas of Interest: Oceans (pelagic, reef, atoll systems, monitoring), research lab techniques, data visualization, resource management, large ocean states

Summer 2023 Fellows:

Summer 2024 Fellows:

Summer 2025 Fellows:

Office Description

The MIMRA internship will be hosted within a dynamic, multidisciplinary team dedicated to the sustainable management and conservation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ marine resources. Day-to-day guidance will be provided by the Protected Area Network Coordinator and the Deputy Director, with overall direction from the Executive Director. Depending on the selected project, additional mentorship and supervision may be provided by technical staff within relevant divisions.

MIMRA operates through five core divisions: Legal Affairs, Coastal & Community Affairs, Oceanic & Industrial Affairs, Competent Authority (CA) and Finance & Corporate Affairs, that work collaboratively to fulfill the Authority’s mandate. The divisions oversee areas including fisheries management, research and monitoring, licensing, enforcement, marine conservation, and community engagement. This integrated approach allows interns to gain exposure to both scientific fieldwork and policy development processes.

MIMRA’s staff of more than 30 professionals include marine biologists, fisheries officers, economists, policy analysts, communications specialists, and administrative staff who work closely with regional and international partners such as the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), SPC, and other technical agencies.

Interns will be encouraged to engage across divisions to better understand how data, research, and policy intersect in real-world fisheries management. Collaboration, mutual respect, and a strong sense of community are central to MIMRA’s workplace culture. Interns will be treated as contributing team members and are expected to participate actively in meetings, planning discussions, and field or community activities relevant to their project.

The internship directly supports MIMRA’s statutory mandate to promote research and sustainable management of the marine environment under the MIMRA Act 1997 and related fisheries legislation.

All data and research outputs generated during the internship will remain the property of MIMRA unless otherwise agreed in writing. The intern is expected to maintain confidentiality regarding all internal information, datasets, and institutional processes encountered during the placement.

List of Potential Projects:

The project topics will be collaboratively developed through dialogue with MIMRA staff, while considering the student’s interests. Example research topics include:

Feasibility analysis of implementing and maintaining MARS (Micronesia Atoll Research Station), a field research site on neighboring Arno Atoll - including initial technical lab arrangements.
Analysis of coral reef monitoring data for local, national, and regional reporting
Review and analyze available socioeconomic data on how communities use resources and create infographics to help communicate findings for resource management planning.
Compilation and integration of MPAs and Resource Management Plans (RMPs), including GIS maps, into the Micronesia Challenge Marine Database to support regional coordination and data sharing.
Translation of existing literature and resources into community-facing products
Strategic outreach and education projects with local communities in Majuro and neighboring atolls

Description of the Work

Under the supervision of MIMRA staff and in coordination with Stanford COS mentors, the intern will:

Collaborate with the assigned mentor/supervisor to develop a detailed internship work plan that links each task or project to specific expected outcomes, deliverables, and timelines.
Assist in the collection, review, and synthesis of marine and fisheries-related data relevant to MIMRA’s ongoing projects.
Assist in research and reporting activities related to marine resource management, environmental monitoring, or policy development.
Contribute to the development of outreach and educational materials for community engagement.
Prepare draft analyses, maps, or visualizations using available datasets and MIMRA guidance.
Participate in meetings, field visits, or stakeholder consultations as appropriate.
Collaborate closely with CMAC’s Marine Working Group to support ongoing coordination with RMI’s marine conservation partners.
Maintain organized records of research activities and ensure data confidentiality as required.
Submit periodic progress updates and a final summary report or presentation of findings to MIMRA.
Adhere to MIMRA’s workplace protocols and safety procedures while representing the organization professionally.

Desired Skills

Detail-oriented work methods
Familiarity with ocean dynamics in the nearshore, reef, or pelagic systems
Experience working with communities outside of the U.S.
Demonstrated intercultural competence and sensitivity to Pacific Islands contexts; prior experience working with island or coastal communities is highly valued.
Experience conducting primary or secondary research and synthesis of findings for policy or management relevance
Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to both expert and non-expert audiences.
Knowledge of environmental policy, marine governance frameworks, or regional fisheries management (e.g., WCPFC, FFA) is beneficial.
Interest in sustainable ocean management, climate resilience, and marine policy innovation.
Familiarity with snorkeling; SCUBA certification is highly beneficial, yet not essential
Strong communication and technology skills (e.g., Microsoft suite, Google suite); additional preference for data analytics experience (e.g., R, Python, GIS)
Ability to work independently, while also knowing when to seek guidance
Enthusiasm about unpacking complex, multi-dimensional problems
Ability to work effectively and sensitively in multicultural, interdisciplinary settings and to engage respectfully with local communities.
Professionalism, adaptability, and respect for local customs and institutional protocols.

Logistics:

EPIC fellows are required to work full-time (40 hours per week) for 10 weeks over the summer, and will receive a stipend of $8,000 - $9,500, depending on financial need. Standard working hours at MIMRA are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
The duration of the internship is 10 weeks, to be conducted between the time period starting June 15, 2026 and ending September 11, 2026 (13-week window). The preferred start date is June 15 or 22, 2026.
The position will be based in Majuro, RMI for the 10-week internship. While in Majuro, the student intern will be based at the MIMRA main office in Delap.
Round-trip flight expenses to and from Majuro Atoll will be supported through gift funds supporting student engagement with Pacific island communities.
Lodging in Majuro will be collaboratively facilitated by MIMRA staff. Lodging expenses in Majuro will be paid for by the student.
MIMRA will provide an orientation on local work protocols, cultural norms, and health and safety guidelines upon arrival in Majuro.