New York State Water Resources Institute

About WRI

At the New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University (NYSWRI), we support robust science and dialogue between researchers, managers, policymakers, and the general public to improve water management through:

Original research and outreach on topics of local, state, and national importance.
Grant and funding opportunities for the higher education community.
Outreach and education, related to state-of-the-art research, to various stakeholders throughout New York state.
Relationship-building with state agencies, professional organizations, and citizen stakeholder groups.

Work with us

Check below for our current open positions. If there are none below, continue to check back or learn about other ways to get involved with WRI.

Photograph of a stone path on the left running right along a small creek with a bright green canopy of trees. — WRI staff hike up Cascadilla Gorge on a spring morning.

Temporary Aquatic Invasive Species Strike Team Technician

As the Temporary Aquatic Invasive Species Strike Team Technician, you will contribute field experience and regional knowledge to monitoring site prioritization effort. Conduct surveys for submerged aquatic vegetation using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)/underwater drone or snorkeling with a main focus on detection of hydrilla. Assist with general calibration and maintenance of pesticide application equipment.

Work location: Cortland, NY

Learn more and apply here

Accepting Internship Applications for Summer 2026

The New York State Water Resources Institute (housed in Cornell's Biological and Environmental Engineering Department) is recruiting summer 2026 interns!

Learn more and apply here.

Photograph of a young man wearing a hat looking at a small aquatic plant in a greenhouse.

Unique Projects

This unique set of paid summer intern projects deal with issues such as micropollutants and emerging contaminants, watershed resilience to climate change, water resource governance, sustainable water infrastructure, and environmental justice.

Current Project Proposals

Details

Dates: May 26 - July 31, 2026

Location: Ithaca, NY

Application Due: March 13, 2026

Learn more about the opportunity here.

Who can apply?

The internships are open to undergraduate and graduate Cornell University students across all majors. Prior experience is not required for participation.

WRI in the News

Applied Water Research in New York State 2026 Seminar Series

Every year, the New York State Water Resources Institute (NYSWRI) at Cornell supports applied research that address critical water resource problems in the New York State and the nation. This seminar series brings together researchers who work with NYSWRI and state agency partners to support and improve water management in the state. Speakers will present on a broad range of water related topics including water engineering and infrastructure, climate and flood resilience, water quality monitoring and assessment and aquatic ecosystems. The seminar will focus on ways in which robust science can support and influence on-ground management and policy outcomes, and center collaborative and interdisciplinary work between academics, water resource scientists, educators, managers, and policymakers in New York State.

BEE 4670/6670 | Thursdays, 2:30-4:25PM ET From January 22 - March 5, 2026 | Registration for all speakers here

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January 22 - Day in the Life of Oswego River-Finger Lakes - Integrating Indigenous and Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Kaeti Stoss (RIT) w/introduction by Emily Fell (NYSDEC & WRI)

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January 29 - Measuring the Biological Productivity of Hudson River Tributaries with Respect to Potential for Restoration: Professor Dan Stich and Billy Benedict (SUNY Oneonta) w/introduction by Matt Best (Riverkeeper)

Photograph of a man with dark hair and glasses posing outside in the winter.

February 5 - Anticipatory Detection and Characterization of the Hydraulic Signatures of Urban Flood Risk: Alex Young (Cornell University PhD Candidate) w/introduction by Kristen Hychka (WRI)

Photograph of a young woman standing in a stream holding a test tube.

February 12 - FLX PFAS Project: Professor Damian Helbling FLX PFAS Lab (Cornell University) w/introduction by Rassil Sayess (WRI)

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February 19 - Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport Modeling in Support of Fisheries Sustainability in Eastern Lake Erie: Professor Joseph Atkinson (University at Buffalo) and Jason Robinson (NYSDEC) w/introduction by Ryan Elliott (NYSDEC & WRI) & Rewa Phansalkar (WRI)

Trout Unlimited graph which has a fish at the top middle with the words trout unlimited below.

February 26 - Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity: Tracy Brown and Kyle Glenn (Trout Unlimited) w/introduction by Jared Popoli (WRI)

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March 5 - Characterization of PFAS in Foam Forming on the Surface of the Finger Lakes: Professor Yuxin Wang (Binghamton University) w/introduction by Lexie Davis (NYSDEC & WRI)

Applied Water Research in New York State 2025 Seminar Series

Below are the recordings from Spring 2025.

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Contact Us

New York State Water Resources Institute

B60 Riley-Robb Hall
Cornell University,
Ithaca, NY 14853-5701

Email: nyswri [at] cornell.edu (nyswri[at]cornell[dot]edu)
Phone: 607-254-7163
Fax: 607-255-4449

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram @cornell_nyswri

A large flowing waterfall in the distance, framed by trees on both sides. — Cohoes Falls near the mouth of the Mohawk River. Photo provided.

Great Lakes Program

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
700 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209

Hudson River Estuary Program

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, NY 12561

Mohawk River Basin Program

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, New York 12233-3502