COVID-19 UPDATE: Please note that due to COVID our volunteer projects are on hold for the time being. We encourage you to submit your name and interest, and we will be in touch as soon as we return to regular operations.


Volunteer Opportunities

Scientist showing visitors experiment.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Based on interest and requests from the community, we are excited to have developed a new volunteer program.

Bigelow Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit institute. We rely on a community of supporters who generously donate their resources and time to make our mission possible.

Please see descriptions of our current openings below, and fill out the form at the bottom of the webpage with your contact information and interests. If you have any questions, contact Valerie Young at (207) 315-2567 ext. 107, or vyoung@bigelow.org.

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to welcoming you to the Laboratory!

Current Volunteer Openings


Gardening

Description: Provide some much-needed help to our facilities staff by regularly weeding both the front and back gardens. An opportunity for some exercise, meditation, and volunteer work in a gorgeous setting!

Training/Tools/Skills needed: Your own gloves and weeding tools if you can, or let us know and we can provide them.

Schedule: Work can be done at any time, any day. Regular shifts (i.e. once/week) would be extremely helpful.

Event Assistance

Description: Serve as bartenders or greeters at our popular Café Sci series. Help to set up the bar prior to the event, serve drinks during, and break down at the end. Or act as a friendly face to welcome guests to the events, helping them to sign up for our newsletter or answering basic questions.

Training/Tools/Skills needed: A pleasant demeanor and ability to stand for about 1-2 hours at a time. For those bartending, we require volunteers to be age 21+.

Schedule: 4:00-7:00 p.m. on the evenings of July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14, 2018.

Laboratory Docent

Description: Join our new, elite group of Laboratory Docents! You will conduct tours of the facilities for groups ranging from small children to adults. With your help, we’ll be able to offer tours to more school groups, as well as offer regular public tours. This position will offer volunteer docents a behind-the-scenes look at our laboratories, an in-depth look into the science that Bigelow Laboratory conducts, and a close connection to our scientists.

Training/Tools/Skills needed: Docents will need to attend an all-day training; multiple dates will be offered (dates TBD). Materials will be provided, such as tour script, more information about our highlights, and suggested routes.

Schedule: As needed and when available. We hope to offer a monthly tour once the program is up and running. Otherwise, we generally know about tour dates at least a few weeks in advance.


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