Assistant Systems Operator – Internship Program

Assistant Systems Operator – Internship Program

COVE

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Host Company: Aquatron Laboratory, Dalhousie University

Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2

Who is COVE?
Since our launch in 2018, COVE has been on a mission to connect people, ideas, resources, and assets to propel solutions and sustainable growth for Canada’s marine sector. COVE has been central to the creation of a large cluster of companies and generating a best-in-class start-up ecosystem.  COVE provides strategic network-building opportunities, connections, and thought leadership amongst the global ocean tech community and runs programs to foster the development of the workforce, the acceleration of ocean tech product releases, and the success of new ventures by start-ups, scaleups, and SMEs. These programs and COVE’s ability to nationally harness multi-disciplinary skills and capabilities within the marine ecosystem is an enabler in solving industry challenges, generating economic benefits, and providing value to investors. To support new talent entering the sector we facilitate a summer internship program for students from across Canada.

What is the COVE Internship Program?

We are looking for bright, talented individuals at the post-secondary level, interested in the marine sector, who are looking to gain valuable, hands-on work experience. You will be placed with a host company in the marine sector and will be working on a core project for their business. Projects are interdisciplinary and students will be collaborating closely with other students and staff from different disciplines.

The COVE internship is a collaboration with numerous companies that are leaders in the marine and marine technology sector. We are diligent in placing students in a role with a company that is well aligned with their discipline of study, skill set, and future career ambitions. Canada’s marine sector is growing and thriving and contributes millions of dollars to our national economy on an annual basis. COVE is seeking interns who are Canada’s best and brightest to be part of this phenomenal growth.

Internship Eligibility:

• Open to post-secondary students across all disciplines (i.e. Environmental Sciences, Statistics, Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Marketing and Communications, etc.)
• Students must be actively enrolled in a post-secondary program at the time of the summer internship
• Based on the required skillsets, placements are typically geared towards second-year undergraduate students and above
• Collaborative Self-starter
• Open to learning
• Have experience or an interest in the marine sector
• International students must be eligible to work in Canada and have a valid study/work permit

Program Highlights:

• 16- week full-time paid (min. $22/hr) employment from May- August 2025
• Project-based learning opportunity with a host company in Nova Scotia
• Professional Development sessions
• Mentorship from industry professionals
• Networking Opportunities

The Opportunity:

Host Company- What is the Aquatron Laboratory?

The Aquatron Laboratory at Dalhousie University is the largest university owned aquatic research facility in Canada supporting and conducting a large array of research from university, government and industry. The Aquatron has specialty facilities such as wet labs and mesocosm tanks which are unmatched anywhere in the world.

What you will be doing:

The Intern will work alongside the Aquatron Mechanical Operations Team assisting them in their day-to-day responsibilities but also helping them review and update Aquatron Mechanical Operations Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These SOPs were developed several years ago under a similar program but now need review to be updated, and to include instrument calibration and new Aquatic Life Support Systems. Aquatron is also developing tools for its small ROV (remote operated vehicle) so if time permits, the intern will assist in the development and testing of these tools.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Become familiar with the operation of Aquatron’s Mechanical Systems and Aquatic Life Support Systems, review and update SOPs.
• Develop SOPs for new Aquatic Life Support Systems (new in 2025).
• Develop operation guidelines and training materials for Aquatron’s small ROV (BlueROV).
• Day-to-day operation and maintenance of Aquatron Life Support Systems, Seawater pumping and treatment system and computer control systems including but not limited to maintaining and calibrating sensors, meters and other instruments
• From time to time, the intern may assist in marine field operations such as animal collection and small boat operations.
• Other work may include small ROV operation for tank inspections and seawater intake line inspections.

What you will bring:

• Enrolled in the NSCC- Ocean Technology program or similar Marine science program with a strong mechanical aptitude
• Background in mechanical engineering technology or equivalent
• Small vessel operation and certifications (asset)

COVE is seeking to improve the diversity and inclusion of our sector and would therefore strongly encourage those who are traditionally underrepresented in the marine sector (women, BIPOC, immigrants, etc.) to apply.

Interested in gaining valuable work experience within the marine sector? Please apply online by clicking “Apply”.  The deadline for submission is 11:59 pm ADT, Sunday, February 2nd, 2025. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.   

Tagged as: Communications, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Statistics