EPIC: Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) – Koror, Palau

Job Title: Palau International Coral Reef Center Intern

Department/Team: Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) with support provided by the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS)

Location: The position will be based in Koror, Palau for the 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

Reports to: King Malsol Sam (Palau National Marine Sanctuary Program Manager) in close collaboration with Imade Tellei (Outreach Director), Geraldine Rengiil (Research Director), and under the guidance of the PICRC Chief Executive Officer. Depending on the project, other PICRC staff may serve in a mentorship capacity. Preceding the time in Palau, 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, monitoring), data visualization, resource management, large ocean states

Summer 2023 Fellows:

Summer 2024 Fellows:

Summer 2025 Fellows:

Office Description

The Palau International Coral Reef Center is Palau’s leading research and aquarium institution with a mission to guide efforts supporting coral reef stewardship through research and its applications for the people of Palau, Micronesia, and the world. This includes the coordination of research and education and outreach in support of managing the Palau National Marine Sanctuary. Our vision is people empowered with science and knowledge for effective marine conservation and management. Our work is locally and internationally relevant and contributes to better informed decisions regarding the management and conservation of our marine resources.

Mission: To be a center of excellence that produces high quality and impactful research, education and opportunities to support the stewardship of Palau’s ocean resources.

Vision: Empowered Ocean Stewardship that Sustains People and Inspires the World

The Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) catalyzes research, innovation, and action to improve the health of the oceans for the people who depend on them the most. A part of the Woods Institute for the Environment at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, COS capitalizes on Stanford’s broad expertise in ocean science and in the many other disciplines crucial to developing ocean solutions including engineering, computer science, political science, design, and business. Our core team of researchers and fellows partner with other research institutions, national and international non-governmental organizations, businesses and governments, as well as established and emerging leaders in the data revolution.

In advance of departing for Palau, the student intern will meet with COS staff to gain insights into the background of Palau’s ocean resource management history as well as the details of Stanford’s engagements with local partners in the region. These initial weeks will be a significant investment into being able to provide value to PICRC early in the internship while also providing for a more meaningful experience for the student.

The PICRC research portfolio includes fisheries, coral reef monitoring, coral restoration, ocean acidification, community education, and marine protected areas—including the Palau National Marine Sanctuary. The staff include field researchers, communications officers, and administrative or operational staff totaling more than 30 people.

In recent years, PICRC has collaborated with Stanford faculty, staff, and students through a range of collaborative efforts. For example, they previously hosted a three-week BING Overseas Program for students interested in coral reef system monitoring. In addition, the COS staff have collaborated with PICRC on efforts relevant to the full implementation of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary as well as a project to enhance monitoring of the nearshore and pelagic environments through environmental DNA analysis. COS researchers also recently co-developed a Data Visualization and Management Training specifically focused on PICRC datasets utilizing PICRC staff input.

Description of the Work

The student intern will conduct applied and policy relevant research and analysis with PICRC researchers and managers. The topic(s) of interest will be co-determined between PICRC staff and the student intern to ensure alignment towards a shared objective. At the beginning of the internship, COS staff will support the student in the background context regarding ocean resource management in Palau as well as the implications of the project. While in Palau, PICRC staff will supervise and mentor the intern through direct oversight and engagement with relevant partners in the community.

List of Potential Projects:

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

Environmental DNA monitoring data analysis, synthesis, and visualization
Analysis of biophysical and socioeconomic data for local, national, and regional reporting through development of a data repository
Strategic outreach and education projects with local communities in Palau
Dashboard development for public engagement using spatial information and monitoring results
Translation of existing literature and resources into community-facing products

Examples from previous remote student research projects:

Marine eDNA Data Analysis and Synthesis to Support Palau’s National Marine Sanctuary
The Role of Large Scale Marine Protected Areas in Sustainable Development: Analyzing Fisheries Supply Chains in Palau
Survey Development and Analysis for Local Perspectives on a Small-scale Fishery Marketplace in Palau

Desired Skills

Detail-oriented work methods
Familiarity with ocean dynamics in the nearshore, reef, or pelagic systems
Experience conducting primary or secondary research and synthesis of findings for policy or management relevance
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 and database development experience (e.g., R, Python, GIS)
Ability to work independently, while also knowing when to seek guidance from colleagues
Experience working with communities outside of the U.S.; particularly with island or coastal communities
Enthusiasm about unpacking complex, multi-dimensional problems

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.
The duration of the internship is 10 weeks, to be conducted between the time period starting June 16, 2025 and ending September 12, 2025 (13-week window). The preferred start date is June 16 or 23, 2025.
Round-trip flight expenses to and from Palau will be supported through gift funds supporting student engagement with Pacific island communities.
The position will be based in Koror, Palau for the 10-week internship. While in Palau, the student intern will be based at the PICRC main office.
Lodging in Palau will be arranged and supported by PICRC at their on-site apartments in the Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. building (map link).