The project offers the participants the opportunity to learn and practice techniques used in scientific data collection and the study of marine mammal populations (e.g. land observations, boat-based surveys, photo-identification, line-transects, theodolite, cybertracker and acoustic monitoring).
The interns’ responsibilities will be to support the SWF staff by taking part in the following tasks:
- Daily land-based surveys
- Daily two hours boat-based surveys conducted with the support and generosity of “Dolphins Spotting Boat Trips”
- Weekly boat based dedicated surveys, including line-transect (weather dependent)
- Photo-identification studies
- Acoustic monitoring
- Theodolite and digiscope surveys
- Data entry
- Awareness raising
- Education initiatives
- Assist with and participate in training courses and public talks.
Research interns can expect to gain a solid foundation in collecting scientific data to be used by our staff in peer reviewed publications. This is an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into the work conducted by marine mammal scientists. SWF staff is committed with the importance of giving the participants of our internship programme the knowledge and experience necessary in their continuation towards higher education or a future job in the field of marine mammals research.
The field season will be split into four separate periods of seven weeks each (the first period will consist of six weeks). Preference will be given to those who can stay for more than one period. Accommodation will be provided in the interns’ house at a rate of approximately £60/week. Interns will be responsible for their own travel expenses, visa requirements and living expenses. Due to the touristic back-ground of New Quay, part-time paid work it is generally easy to find if required by the intern. Interns will generally have two days off per week, although not necessarily consecutive days and usually just one during each weekend.
Intern periods for summer 2015:
Period 1 13/04 – 24/05, Period 2 25/05 – 12/7, Period 3 13/07 – 30/08, Period 4 31/08 – 18/10
Essential requirements:
- background in Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science or similar
- willingness to work long hours outdoors sometimes in harsh weather conditions
- strong commitment to volunteer work
- self-motivated with the drive and determination to work responsibly and independently
- an ability to get on well with others in a shared office and home