Webshop for the ocean
At Go Ocean, we’re committed to protecting our oceans and creating a sustainable future. We believe in the power of collaboration, innovation, and passion to drive impactful change.
If you’re looking to make a difference in marine restoration, climate action, and biodiversity, explore our job openings and discover how you can be part of our mission.
Steps to positive ocean impact
Steps to positive ocean impact
Ocean restoration projects
Other ways to support the ocean
Internships
Are you passionate about marine restoration and eager to make a real impact? At Go Ocean, our interns are valued members of the team, contributing to meaningful projects that protect our seas and marine life. Our internships include marketing and/or operational roles and offer the opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of a small team with a very strong mission!
We are happy to accept interns from a broad range of education and will work with you to adapt your internship to the needs of your education.
No open positions at the moment
The tide is quiet for now — check back soon for new opportunities.
Internship for (student) marine biologist 2026
Go Ocean’s mission is to – with the support of individuals, companies, and foundations – create a positive impact on ocean health and the well-being of coastal communities. We focus on high-quality, scientifically grounded marine ecosystem restoration (oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, coral reefs, etc.), in close collaboration with local partners. At the same time, we work to improve ocean literacy in Belgium and the Netherlands and to bring the ocean more prominently into discussions and debates.
As a young and growing organization, we must focus our restoration efforts on the right ecosystems, in the right regions, with the greatest possible ecological and socio-economic impact. Our core portfolio has been carefully composed, but with a view to further growth, we want to set clear strategic priorities.
For this exercise, we are looking for a motivated intern with a background in marine biology (or a similar field) to support us in developing a global prioritization plan for coastal and marine restoration.
During this internship, you will work independently on a research project:
- Identifying key regions for marine restoration worldwide (e.g., ocean basins, coastal zones, river deltas, open ocean, heavily degraded ecosystems).
- Analyzing where ecological degradation is most severe, and restoration has the greatest potential impact (ecological, social, and economic).
- Developing a clear framework, map, or schematic overview that helps answer which ecosystem, in which region, and with which restoration approach contributes most (and most efficiently) to global needs.
- Translating your research into short, clear texts that can be used in external communication (website, pitches, educational content).
- Working based on scientific literature, with a critical perspective on sources, assumptions, and uncertainties.
- Regularly aligning with the Go Ocean team, while having ample room for independent work.
- You are/have been enrolled in a program in marine biology, biological sciences, environmental sciences, ocean sciences, or a similar field (bachelor’s or master’s level).
- You have a strong interest in marine ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions.
- You enjoy analytical work and can structure complex information.
- You can write clearly (in Dutch and/or English).
- You are critical, including of your own findings.
- Experience with GIS, data analysis, or policy frameworks is a plus, but not required.
We offer an internship with real action and impact (no shadowing from the sidelines). You will become part of a small, driven, and multidisciplinary team with a strong mission, based in our cozy office in Ghent near Gent-Sint-Pieters train station (or possibly in a coworking space in Brussels or Antwerp). Of course, there are flexible working hours and the option to work from home.
We are happy to provide room to:
- formulate your own ideas;
- think creatively about strategy and projects;
- get to know other aspects of the organization as well (partnerships, communication, project development).
Be prepared for occasional chaos, but always with the best intentions.
- Period: flexible, to be agreed upon (preferably starting on 1 March 2026)
- Duration: negotiable (from 1 to 4 months)
- Compensation: unpaid internship, but with reimbursement of expenses
- Supervision: guidance from the Go Ocean team, with room for academic requirements (related to an internship, a thesis, etc.)
Interested?
Write a motivation letter to clarify why you are interested in the internship and how you would tackle the project (max. 1 page). Send the motivation letter and your CV to info@goocean.be (deadline: 8th of February). Please use the subject line: “Internship position for (student) marine biologist 2026”.
You may also include an example of academic or analytical work (optional).
Do you have questions, or would you like to first check whether this internship is a good fit for you? Do not hesitate to contact us.