RESEARCH ASSISTANT/INTERN COORDINATOR IN CARDIGAN BAY 2014

This position is responsible for assisting the Monitoring Officer in the running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” and coordinating the project interns. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and takes care of the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination of vessel-based, land-based, photo-identification and acoustic surveys.

Start Date: April 11th 2014      End Date: October 26th 2014

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate between the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer and the project interns – in charge of the intern shared house and the intern weekly office rota.
• Assisting the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer in intern basic training of land- and boat based surveys, photo ID studies, Database entry and more.
• Assisting the Monitoring Officer in all phases of the research.
• Undertaking a personal research project supervised by the Monitoring Officer – research topic will be chosen according to Sea Watch Foundation requirements and applicants’ interests.

Requirements:

The successful applicant is expected to have a BSc degree (or higher) in biology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, or related field and able to demonstrate previous experience in marine mammal research. A strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans and boating experience are beneficial.

The applicant must be proficient with database and word processing software and be willing to learn new software applications. Specific experience in Access and/or GIS would be advantageous. 
 
The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team player as the project will involve working closely with other researchers but also must be able to supervise small groups of people as they will be coordinating at least 6 interns. They must also be self-motivated with the drive and determination to work independently and responsibly. This post brings the opportunity to submit work for scientific publication.
 
This position is unpaid but accommodation expenses will be covered. 

To apply:

Please fill in an ‘application form’ which can be downloaded from our website by following this link and email to Daphna Feingold daphna.feingold@seawatchfoundation.org.uk

Deadline: 2nd January 2014.

Please specify RESEARCH ASSISTANT/INTERN COORDINATOR into your subject title.

Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 2nd February 2014.

RESEARCH INTERN Opportunity in Cardigan Bay for 2014

Interns are invited to assist the Sea Watch Foundation (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk) with the running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project”. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and supports the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination of vessel-based, land-based and acoustic surveys. Sea Watch has been monitoring these populations on behalf of the Welsh government (through funding provided by the Countryside Council for Wales, now called Natural Resources Wales) for over a decade. Cardigan Bay contains Britain’s largest coastal population of bottlenose dolphins, for which two special areas of conservation have been established under the EU Habitats Directive.

Interns will help the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings Officer by taking part in the following tasks:

· Land-based surveys

· Boat-based surveys

· Photo-identification studies

· Database entry

· Awareness raising

· Education initiatives

· Acoustic data collection

· Assistance with and participation in training courses and public talks.

Interns are required from mid April until mid October 2014. The research season is split into four separate periods of 7 weeks each (the first period will consist of 6 weeks).

Preference will be given to those applying for more than one period, including the whole 6-month field season.

Interns will be based in New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales. Accommodation is provided through rental of a house that interns share at a rate of around £55/person’week. Interns are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required.

Important notes for long-term applications (those applying for more than two periods):

· Those applying for longer periods of time will be able to take on a personal project potentially leading to a publication

· Successful applicants applying for the whole 6-month research season will receive a grant from the Sea Watch Foundation covering their rent for the entire last period (7 weeks). These grants are limited to two persons.

Period dates for summer 2014:

Period 1: 14/04 – 25/05, Period 2: 26/05 – 13/7, Period 3: 14/07 – 31/8, Period 4: 01/09 – 19/10

Important skills/qualifications

Essential:

· an ability to work in a meticulous and reliable manner

· strong commitment to volunteering work

· willingness to work long hours outdoors in often changeable Welsh weather

· good IT skills (Office package)

· an ability to get on well with others in a small team and in shared accommodation

Desirable:

· a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans

· a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar

· prior experience in boat-based survey work

· good verbal and written communication skills and in public speaking

· experience in interacting with the public

All interns will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in boat survey protocols, and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins and grey seals.

Internships with Sea Watch have frequently led to established posts both within the organisation and in other national and international research and conservation bodies, as well as providing a stepping stone for students to undertake doctoral studies in marine mammal science.

To apply:

Please fill in an ‘application form’ which can be downloaded from our website by clicking on this link.

to:

Daphna Feingold – daphna.feingold@seawatchfoundation.org.uk

Deadline: 10th January 2014.

Please specify NEW QUAY INTERN APPLICATION in your subject title.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 10^th February 2014.

Sea Watch Foundation – Voluntary Education and Awareness Assistant opportunity in Cardigan Bay for the 2014 summer season

The Sea Watch Foundation is seeking an education and awareness assistant for the 2014 season. This position will suit a volunteer who has a strong interest in marine conservation and recognises the importance of educating and raising awareness by involving the public.

The assistant will be responsible in aiding the Sightings Officer with the following duties:

· Promoting and organising the National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2014 event (26^thJuly to 3^rd August)

· Participating in presentations and creating activities to take to local schools

· Researching and writing articles

· Creating educational/promotional materials (posters, displays, flyers)

· Assisting in the organisation of training courses

· Social networking (Facebook, Twitter, website)

· Raising Sea Watch Foundation profile within the New Quay community (organising events, manning the Sea Watch stand on the pier at weekends etc.)

· Representing Sea Watch at public events around the UK (boat shows etc.)

· Liaising with the Adopt a Dolphin Coordinator for the promotion of Sea Watch Foundation and Adopt a Dolphin

The education and awareness assistant will also have the opportunity to be involved in the field work aspects of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” (land-based and boat-based surveys). This project manages the conservation of a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, the largest in the UK. Monitoring of harbour porpoise and grey seal populations is also part of the project.

The field season will run from April to October 2014 and has been split into one period of 6 weeks followed by three periods of 7 weeks. One assistant is required for each period however preference will be given to those who can stay for more than one period, including the whole seven month field season. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of approximately £55/week in a house sharing with the research interns. The assistant is responsible for their own travel and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required.

Intern periods for summer 2014:

Period 1: 14/04 – 25/05, Period 2: 26/05 – 13/7, Period 3: 14/07 – 31/8, Period 4: 01/09 – 19/10

Important skills/qualifications

Essential:

• a strong interest in marine conservation and education
• confidence to interact with the public
• good verbal and writing skills
• must have initiative and bring their own ideas and personality to the position
• strong commitment to volunteering work
• an ability to work in an organised and reliable manner and to manage a variable workload
• an ability to get on well with others in a small team and shared accommodation

Desirable:

• a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar
• a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans
• good IT skills (Office package)
• prior experience in public speaking
• prior experience in boat-based survey work
• willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather

To apply:

Please send your CV, covering letter reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for and contact details of two referees, to Danielle Gibas (danielle.gibas@seawatchfoundation.org.uk)

Deadline: 10^th January 2014.

Please specify EDUCATION ASSISTANT APPLICATION into your subject title.

Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 31^st January 2014.