*Research assistant position at Archipelagos Institute– Aegean Sea -Greece* Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is currently looking for research assistants to join our Marine Mammal Team, for the Winter Season 2017/2018 as well the Spring and Summer Season 2018. The applicants will provide scientific support for our projects and gain valuable experience in hands-on Marine Mammal Conservation. Available projects are based on the islands of Samos, Lipsi and Ikaria, in the eastern Aegean Sea. This region supports important populations of Common, Bottlenose, Stripped and Risso’s dolphins, as well as Sperm whales and Cuvier’s beaked whales, which we study with the use of 3 research boats. This project offers a unique opportunity to improve your research skills and utilise your knowledge to make a difference in a targeted conservation project. *What you will gain* Archipelagos internship is a unique opportunity to make a positive contribution to marine and terrestrial conservation and meet new people who share the same interests. You can gain experience in field work, research methods, data processing, writing of publications and reports, public awareness and education programmes. The data you collect will contribute to long-running research studies. *Research projects* *- Cetacean behaviour, abundance and distribution studies* Knowledge of abundance, trends and distribution of cetacean population is needed to increase marine conservation efforts, ecosystem models and spatial planning. Land-based and visual line-transect surveys, conducted along pre-defined track lines, on ships with dedicated observers, will be the method to monitoring cetacean behaviour and occurrence. The aim of this study is to identify how the anthropogenic activities can affect the life of marine mammals and to map important habitats, for example, those used for feeding, resting and nursing. *- Photo-identification* A Photo-ID mark-recapture method is applied to identify individuals and to investigate movement patterns, residency patterns and social structure. Thanks to this method, it is possible to have a complete census of the presence of a population in a specific area helping to create a Photo-ID catalogue for each year. *- Bioacoustics research* The bioacoustics research aims to estimate the noise level and to record the cetacean species calls in different areas of the Aegean Sea. The objective aspires to show a direct correlation between the difference in cetacean communication sounds and the increase in marine traffic in the waters around Samos using bioacoustics. *- Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary* The under-construction Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary aims to be the first refuge in the world providing a solution for the long-term retirement of formerly captive dolphins. It will set the standards for rehabilitation in semi-natural conditions, while also it will operate as a rehabilitation centre for marine mammals and turtles found in strandings. *Qualifications* The ideal candidate has to show great motivation and enthusiasm, strong work ethic, high attention to detail, a positive attitude as well as a genuine interest in wildlife science, self-motivation and availability to work in a team of volunteers independently. Prior experience is not required. This is an unpaid position - see fees, terms and conditions at: http://archipelago.gr/en/get-involved/placements-and-internships/. *Extras*
From 2018 Archipelagos will offer a free scuba diving course to research assistants who join for over 3 months during the winter, spring and autumn (apart from the PADI fees).
*To Apply* Send resume, motivation letter (no more than two pages) to Dr. Guido Pietroluongo: guido.p@archipelago.gr *Description of Archipelagos Institute* Archipelagos, Institute of Marine Conservation www.archipelago.gr/en/ is a Greek non-profit, non-governmental organization. Since 1998, Archipelagos has been committed to the scientific research and conservation of the marine and terrestrial environments of the Greek seas and islands, as well as of the North-East Mediterranean region overall. Archipelagos’ work focuses on the combination of multi-disciplinary scientific research with effective conservation work, in which the local communities share an active part. Since 2001, our educational activities have hosted over 2,500 participants from around the world. *-------------------------------------------------------* *Dr. Guido Pietroluongo* *Marine Mammals Team Supervisor* *Doctor in Veterinary Medicine* *Environmental impacts and scientific communication expert* *Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation* *www.archipelago.gr <http://www.archipelago.gr/>* *guido.p@archipelago.gr <m.panagiotou@archipelago.gr>* Marine Research Base: P.O. Box 42, Pythagorio, Samos 83103, Greece Telephone: +30 22730 61191 Fax: +30 22730 37533 [image: Archipelagos] <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>