The Sea Watch Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine 
research, conservation, and public education is seeking applications for the 
following: 

 

RESEARCH ASSISTANT/INTERN COORDINATOR IN CARDIGAN BAY 2013 

This position is responsible for assisting the Monitoring Officer in the 
running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” and coordinating the project 
interns. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and takes care of the 
conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey 
seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, 
reproductive success and population structure using a combination of 
line-transect, photo-identification, land-based and acoustic surveys. 

 

Start Date: April 8th 2013 End Date: October 27th 2013 

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 

 Coordinate between the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer and the project 
interns – in charge of the intern shared house and the intern weekly office 
rota. 

 Assisting the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer in intern basic training 
of land- and boat based surveys, photo ID studies, Database entry and more. 

 Assisting the Monitoring Officer in all phases of the research. 

 Undertaking a personal research project supervised by the Monitoring Officer 
– research topic will be chosen according to Sea Watch Foundation requirements 
and applicants’ interests. 

 

Requirements: 

The successful applicant is expected to have a BSc degree (or higher) in 
biology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, or related field and able to 
demonstrate previous experience in marine mammal research. A strong interest 
and knowledge of British cetaceans and boating experience are beneficial. 

The applicant must be proficient with database and word processing software and 
be willing to learn new software applications. Specific experience in Access 
and/or GIS would be advantageous. 

The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team player as 
the project will involve working closely with other researchers but also must 
be able to supervise small groups of people as they will be coordinating at 
least 6 interns. They must also be self-motivated with the drive and 
determination to work independently and responsibly. This post brings the 
opportunity to submit work for scientific publication. 

 

This position is unpaid but accommodation expenses will be covered. 

To apply: 

Please send your CV, a cover letter and contact details of two references 
reporting any relevant experience you have to Daphna Feingold – 
daphna.feing...@seawatchfoundation.org.uk 

 

Deadline: 31st January 2013. 

Please specify RESEARCH ASSISTANT/INTERN COORDINATOR into your subject title. 

Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 24th February 2013. 

 

The Sea Watch Foundation 

The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research charity 
that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas 
around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of 
populations and the threats they face. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to 
raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of West 
Wales. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint 
Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we work 
closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council. 

 

Research 

The purpose of our research here is to monitor the marine mammal populations 
inhabiting Cardigan Bay, so as to gain information to aid the conservation and 
long-term well being of these animals and the local marine environment. This is 
achieved by conducting various projects including: 

 Estimating the abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins, harbour 
porpoises and grey seals within Cardigan Bay using distance sampling and 
opportunistic boat surveys 

 Maintaining and updating a catalogue of photographically identified 
bottlenose dolphins in Wales in order to study their abundance, social 
structure, movements and life histories. 

 Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in the 
Cardigan Bay SAC using automated click detectors (T-PODs) and hydrophones. 

 Setting up a library of underwater sounds in Welsh waters in order to develop 
bio-acoustic research in the area. 

 

We further aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the 
local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect 
and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future generations. We also 
run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey 
methods.

 

Danielle Gibas

Sightings Officer

See them… Report them… Save them…

 

Sea Watch Foundation 

Paragon House

Wellington Place

New Quay

Ceredigion

SA45 9NR

 

Tel: 01545 561226

www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

 

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