Volunteer Internship Opportunities Falkland Islands Coastal Dolphin Research Programme (SAERI, Stanley, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic) The South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (SAERI) is offering two volunteer internship positions to assist with summer field work as part of the two-year research project "Dolphins of the kelp: Data priorities for Falklands' inshore cetaceans". The interns will be based in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic and will assist with cetacean surveys from November to March. Two intern positions are available for 5 months in the first year (2016/17) and 3 months in the second year (2017/18). Applications are currently sought for the first summer field season from 01 Nov 2016 to 31 March 2017 approx. Applications will preferably be considered from interns who are available for the entire five month placement period. This is an unpaid position, but assistance with flight costs and living expenses will be provided. The internship positions are ideally suited to a graduate or a Masters post-graduate seeking to develop experience and field research skills and to apply previously gained theoretical knowledge in a practical environment. Interns will participate and be mentored in a range of field-based cetacean research techniques including; . Island-wide boat-based surveys to determine the distribution and abundance of cetaceans in the inshore waters of the Falkland Islands; . Focal, small boat surveys to collect photographic identification data and information on habitat use of Commerson's dolphins and Peale's dolphins; . Data processing including image processing, cataloguing and database entry; . Passive Acoustic Monitoring using moored C-Pods; . Biopsy dart sampling for genetic analysis; . General field work planning and equipment maintenance; The internships provide unique opportunities to gain hands-on research skills while also experiencing the diverse wildlife of the Falkland Islands ranging from coastal dolphins, whales, seals and sea lions to vast penguin and albatross colonies. You will live and work as part of a small team of highly enthusiastic professionals and local volunteers, and be immersed in the island life style of the remote Falkland Islands. We are looking for interns who are: - enthusiastic about marine research and conservation - adaptable and able to cope well with change - self-motivated and able to learn quickly - respectful, responsible and reliable team players - meticulous and dedicated hard workers - able and willing to endure basic living conditions in cold and wet field work environments - able to maintain a calm and positive attitude throughout Ideally Interns will also: . Have some theoretical knowledge of cetacean biology and field survey techniques either through practical experience, under-graduate (BSc) or post-graduate (MSc) study . Hold a full and clean manual driving licence . Be fluent in written and spoken English and demonstrate good communication skills. About the Internships The positions are un-salaried. However; . Funding is available to assist with return flight costs to the Falkland Islands. . Accommodation and basic subsistence costs in the Falkland Islands will be met by the project. . Essential fieldwork equipment (boat-suits, etc) will be provided by the project. Interns need to be able to cover all costs incurred from additional expenses such as entertainment, sightseeing, personal spend etc. Project Partnership The internships will be based in the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute's (SAERI) head office in Stanley. SAERI's objective is to be a world class academic institute, based in the Falkland Islands. The institute's mission is to advance environmental understanding in the South Atlantic through research excellence and innovative scientific leadership in the natural and physical sciences (www.south-atlantic-research.org ). This project is a joint initiative with 5 partner organisations: Falklands Conservation, Austral Biodiversity Ltd, Shallow Marine Surveys Group (SMSG-Falklands), Oregon State University, and the University of St. Andrews. Contacts and Further Information For more information, a detailed description and application form please contact: Zoe James (officemanager@env.institute.ac.fk) For job specific detail please contact Dr Marina Costa (mcosta@env.institute.ac.fk) or Tara Pelembe (tpelembe@env.institute.ac.fk). Submitted by, Grant Munro ( <mailto:munro@horizon.co.fk> munro@horizon.co.fk)