Love Wildlife Art? Xerces Society Is Hiring a Remote Science Illustration Intern Paying $24 Per Hour

Launch Your Conservation Career with a Fully Remote Science Illustration Internship

If you’re a student with a passion for wildlife art, scientific illustration and conservation, the Xerces Society is offering an exciting opportunity to gain professional experience while working remotely. The nonprofit organization is seeking a Science Illustration Intern to join its communications team for the Fall 2026 semester.

This paid internship offers aspiring scientific illustrators the chance to create educational artwork, collaborate with conservation experts and build an impressive professional portfolio—all while earning USD $24 per hour.

Internship Overview

The internship is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who want to combine artistic talent with science communication.

Position Details

• Job Title: Science Illustration Intern
• Organization: Xerces Society
• Location: Fully Remote (United States)
• Employment Type: Part-time Internship
• Duration: September–December 2026
• Work Schedule: Approximately 20 hours per week
• Compensation: USD $24 per hour
• Application Deadline: 31 July 2026

The internship is supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation and provides hands-on experience working with conservation scientists and communications professionals.

About the Xerces Society

The Xerces Society is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting invertebrates and their habitats through scientific research, education, advocacy and habitat restoration.

Its work focuses on conserving important species such as:

• Bees
• Butterflies
• Fireflies
• Dragonflies
• Mollusks
• Other beneficial invertebrates

Through science communication and public outreach, the organization helps raise awareness about biodiversity and the importance of protecting pollinators and other wildlife.

What You’ll Do

As a Science Illustration Intern, you’ll contribute to a variety of creative conservation projects, including:

• Producing detailed scientific illustrations of invertebrates.
• Creating educational graphics for print and digital publications.
• Designing animations and visual storytelling materials.
• Developing data visualizations that communicate scientific information.
• Illustrating insect anatomy, ecological interactions and conservation concepts.
• Collaborating with communications staff and conservation scientists.
• Participating in staff meetings and organizational activities.
• Presenting completed illustration projects through a Xerces Society platform.

This internship provides practical experience in communicating science through compelling visual design.

Who Should Apply?

The opportunity is ideal for students pursuing creative and scientific disciplines.

Applicants should:

• Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student during the Fall 2026 semester.
• Be studying Scientific Illustration, Fine Arts, Graphic Design or a related field.
• Demonstrate strong scientific illustration skills.
• Be able to accurately depict natural subjects using direct observation and photographic references.
• Work independently while meeting project deadlines.
• Possess excellent communication, collaboration and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

While not mandatory, the following experience will strengthen an application:

• Interest in ecology, conservation and biodiversity.
• Passion for science communication.
• Experience creating data visualizations.
• Knowledge of animation for educational content.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts through visual storytelling.

Salary and Benefits

The internship offers more than competitive hourly pay. Successful applicants will also receive:

• USD $24 per hour compensation.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued from the start of employment.
• Mentorship from conservation scientists and communications professionals.
• Opportunities to build a professional illustration portfolio.
• Flexible working hours that accommodate academic schedules.
• Experience contributing to nationally recognized conservation education initiatives.

These benefits make the internship an excellent opportunity for students interested in careers in conservation, environmental communication and scientific illustration.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare the following materials:

• A cover letter explaining how they meet the internship requirements and how the experience aligns with their career goals.
• A single PDF portfolio containing:
  • Five to ten examples of scientific illustrations featuring wildlife or natural subjects.
  • Optional examples of data visualizations or animations (three to five samples).
  • Links to digital work accompanied by brief descriptions where applicable.

Why This Internship Stands Out

The Xerces Society’s Science Illustration Internship offers a unique opportunity to combine creativity with environmental impact. Interns will help communicate important conservation messages while developing practical skills that can open doors to careers in science communication, environmental education, illustration and nonprofit conservation.

For students who enjoy drawing wildlife, translating scientific concepts into engaging visuals and making a meaningful contribution to conservation, this fully remote internship provides valuable real-world experience while earning competitive hourly pay.

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the  organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of  emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.