Field Museum Chicago - Forensic Botany Internship

The Field Museum - Forensic Botany Internship – Documenting the “Green Clues” Forensic Collection
 

Position Title: Botany, Forensic, Museum Science

Location: The Field Museum Chicago - Botany Collections

Fixed Pay Per Semester: $4500

Hours: 15 hours per week on site; Weekdays during business hours of 9am-5pm.

Start & End Date: January 20, 2026-May 15, 2026

Experience Level: Entry Level

Number of openings: 1

Application Details: Apply on Handshake - CV & Cover Letter required. 

About Us

The Field Museum fuels a journey of discovery across time to enable solutions for a brighter future rich in nature and culture. We house close to forty million objects representing zoology, botany, geology, and anthropology, and these collections form the foundation of the Museum’s exhibitions, research, and education programs.

Description of Internship

The Field Museum’s Botanical Collections is offering a unique internship opportunity to work with specimens associated with the landmark study Green Clues: Unveiling the Role of Bryophytes in Forensic Science. Interns will process, document, and digitally capture images of specimens used in the “Baby Kate” case and other forensic investigations. Their work will help archive these materials for future generations, ensuring this extraordinary story—and the broader role of tiny plants in forensic science—remains accessible to researchers, law enforcement, and the public.

This internship provides a rare chance to gain hands-on experience in museum collections and to contribute to preserving a groundbreaking story where science and law intersected in the pursuit of justice.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Documenting and processing specimens associated with a forensic investigation.
• Capturing high-quality digital images of plant fragments for research, outreach, and archival purposes.
• Archiving specimens and related data to preserve the story of how tiny plants contributed to solving a high-profile case.
• Contributing to the long-term curation of the Forensic Botany collection at the Field Museum.

Qualifications 

• Interest in natural history, forensic science, or museum studies.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Experience with digital imaging or photography is a plus

This internship is funded through IBHE grant (Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program): #26ICWS15.