Marine Mammal Jobs

applicants

Dolphin Research Center (DRC) is currently accepting applications for Research Interns for the Fall term. DRC is a not-for-profit education and research facility, home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. DRC is located on Grassy Key, in the heart of the Florida Keys.
Internships at DRC are an exciting way to develop career skills as well as an opportunity to get “behind the scenes” to see how a marine mammal facility operates. Research interns participate in DRC’s ongoing behavioral and cognitive research projects, giving them broad exposure to a variety of research methodologies. Interns receive extensive on-the-job training in observing marine mammal behavior, collecting observational data, working with research equipment, and assisting with experimental research sessions. Specific job duties include:
o Collecting observational behavioral data
o Preparing stimuli for cognitive research sessions
o Assisting in setting up and tearing down equipment for cognitive research sessions
o Operating video equipment
o Entering or scanning data into the computer for analysis
o General support of the facility through participation in the volunteer resource pool (facility maintenance, bird care, assisting with public programs, guest interactions, etc.)
Publications:
Jaakkola, K., Fellner, W., Erb, L., Rodriguez, A. M., & Guarino, E. (2005). Understanding the concept of numerically “less” by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Comparative Psychology.
Jaakkola, K., Guarino, E., Rodriguez, M., Erb, L., & Trone, M. (2010). What do dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) understand about hidden objects? Animal Cognition, 13, 103-120.
Internships require a minimum of a 16-week commitment, 40 hours per week. The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for providing their own housing. DRC will provide assistance in locating housing and/or matching up interns and volunteers desiring roommates. Successful candidates will be ready and willing to learn, self-motivated, and flexible. Prior research experience is recommended but not required.
The deadline to apply is * June 1st*. To apply, you must download the application available at www.dolphins.org. Click “Research”, and then “Internship Information”.
The application, and all associated materials (resume, transcript, and letters of rec.) must be mailed to DRC.