Temporary Blueberry Research Internship - Castle Hayne, NC

This internship offers students and recent graduates meaningful, hands-on experience in
applied horticultural research at the NCSU Horticultural Crops Research Station in Castle
Hayne, NC, located near Wilmington.

Selected candidates will support an active blueberry breeding program focused on developing
varieties suited for mechanical harvest. Day-to-day responsibilities span greenhouse, shade
house, and field environments and include plant care, pollination, transplanting, pruning,
weeding, fertilizing, harvesting, and field data collection. Interns will also contribute to inventory
management and office-based tasks such as data entry and image labeling in support of an
ongoing machine learning project — making this a well-rounded opportunity for those with
interests in both plant science and data.

Attention to detail, comfort with repetitive tasks, and a willingness to work outdoors in varying
conditions are important for success in this role. Scheduling is flexible between 7 am and 6 pm
on weekdays. Hours begin at 10–20 per week from September through March, increasing to
20 or more per week from April through August. Candidates who can commit through the core
blueberry season (May–July) are especially encouraged to apply.
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Preference will be given to candidates pursuing degrees in horticulture, biology, or related fields,
and to those who demonstrate a strong commitment to learning and collaboration.