Internship opportunity (unpaid but accommodation provided):
Sea Watch Foundation (SWF) are looking for a Research Assistant & Intern
Coordinator to assist with the running of the Cardigan Bay Monitoring
Project. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and supports 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 vessel-based and land-based surveys. SWF has been
monitoring these populations on behalf of the Welsh government (through
funding provided by Natural Resources Wales) for two decades. Cardigan
Bay contains Britain’s largest coastal population of bottlenose
dolphins, for which two Special Areas of Conservation have been
established under the EU Habitats Directive. Internships with Sea Watch
have frequently led to established posts in national and international
research and conservation bodies, as well as providing a stepping stone
for students to undertake doctoral studies in marine mammal science.
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Coordination between the Monitoring Officer and project interns – in
charge of the intern shared house and the intern weekly office rota.
Assisting New Quay staff in training interns and other volunteers in
land- and boat based surveys, photo ID studies, database entry, and
more.
Liaising closely with Education Officer and Education Assistant
Assisting the Monitoring Officer in all phases of the research.
Optional opportunity to undertake a personal research project supervised
by the Monitoring Officer. Research topic will be chosen according to
Sea Watch Foundation requirements and applicant’s interests.
Requirements:
The successful applicant is expected to have completed 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 experience are
beneficial.
The applicant should ideally have some experience using DSLR cameras.
Practical experience of photo-identification (both photography and
matching) is desirable. Experience with other equipment regularly used
by Sea Watch Foundation such as hydrophone, polecam, theodolite,
digiscope and aerial camera drone is advantageous.
The applicant must be proficient with database and word processing
software and be willing to learn new software applications. Specific
experience in use of Access and GIS would be advantageous.
The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team
player since the project will involve working closely with other
researchers, but must also be able to supervise small groups of people
given that they will be coordinating a team of at least 8 interns. The
Research Assistant and interns live and work together on a daily basis
which requires a high degree of interpersonal skills to maintain
relationships and team morale. Previous experience working successfully
in similar roles is essential.
Applicants must be self-motivated, with the drive and determination to
work independently and responsibly without direct supervision. The work
load is varied and therefore a high degree of organisation, attention to
detail, and ability to prioritise are essential.
If a personal research project is undertaken, this brings the
opportunity to submit work for scientific publication, and for
presentation at the European Cetacean Society Conference.
The Research Assistant is expected to work 5 days a week with office
hours running from 9AM to 6PM with an hour lunch break although field
work regularly falls outside of office hours.The Research Assistant is
also entitled to one week’s holiday during the season, the dates of
which should be agreed upon at the start of placement if at all
possible.
Currently we anticipate the internship to go ahead as planned. However,
please note that if new restrictions are imposed in 2022, on-site
internships may need to be postponed or suspended although there are
various opportunities to take on home based volunteering roles should
this occur.
This position is unpaid but (shared) accommodation will be provided in
the intern house free of charge.
The Research Assistant will be responsible for their own travel expenses
to New Quay for the 2022 field season. Due to the touristic background
of New Quay, part-time paid evening work is generally easy to find if
required by the applicant. There are also a number of external
organisations that may offer grants to partially cover living expenses
(see below).
International applications are welcome but it is the applicant’s
responsibility to ensure visa requirements are met and the chosen visa
option should be highlighted in the application form.
To apply:
Please send your CV and Research assistant application form, and contact
details of two referees, reporting any relevant experience you have, to
Katrin Lohrengel- [email protected]
Deadline: 17th January 2022.
PLEASE NOTE THAT INTERNSHIPS WILL BE SUBJECT TO WHATEVER COVID
RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE AT THE TIME
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