PROVINCETOWN CENTER FOR COASTAL STUDIES

RIGHT WHALE PROGRAM INTERNSHIP

The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies is seeking an intern for the upcoming 2013 right whale survey season. This person will work with both the aerial survey and habitat survey teams, who operate between January and May every year, documenting the abundance, distribution and behavior of North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay Massachusetts. The intern will primarily assist staff with boat-based photography of right whales, recording of behavioral data, and collection of zooplankton samples and environmental data at stations in Cape Cod Bay. The successful applicant will also be responsible for a number of lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images, database entry, and matching images to known animals using an online catalog.  He/ she will be required to work a minimum of four full days per week. The intern will often collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail-oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Fieldwork will likely involve one to two surveys per week, between January 2 and May 15, 2013. Applicants must be available for the full field season.

Requirements:

• A degree, preferably in biological/ environmental sciences.
• Experience with digital SLR cameras.
• Data entry; basic computer skills in programs such as Excel and Word.
• Experience working on boats, and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
• Must work well in a team.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab based research methods.
• A valid US drivers license would be beneficial but is not essential.

Housing will be provided and a stipend to cover general living expenses. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone wishing to expand their s experience in marine mammal surveys and plankton sampling methods, and will offer the successful applicant the unique chance to work with one of the world’s most endangered cetacean species, the North Atlantic right whale.

PCCS has a long history of conservation and research work with the North Atlantic right whale. This internship will afford the successful applicant an invaluable opportunity to work within a well-established institution, with highly-qualified scientists, and to gain experience in photo-identification, matching, data entry and analysis. Experience in oceanographic sampling will also be gained. Details of our work can be found on our website www.coastalstudies.org

Please submit your cover letter, resume, college transcripts (unofficial are sufficient), and contact information for two references to:

Stephanie Richardson

Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies

115 Bradford Street

Provincetown, MA 02657

Email: srichardson@coastalstudies.org

Deadline for Submissions: September 30, 2012