Sea Watch Foundation 2015 VOLUNTEER Research Internships Opportunities for Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, New Quay, Wales Field season: 13th of April 2015 - 18th of October 2015 Application deadline: 31st of January 2015 On behalf of Sea Watch Foundation (SWF) staff (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/> ), I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting internship applications for our field season 2015. SWF is a registered marine environmental research charity whose mission is to achieve a better understanding and conservation of the marine mammal populations in the seas around Britain and Ireland. Led by Director Prof. Evans since 1991, the Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, provides invaluable scientific information about the natural history, distribution, habitats and short and long term conservation threats of marine mammal populations (bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal), through continuous research and education. SWF Director, received the European Cetacean Society Award for his research in 2012 and SWF was the recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS Outreach and Education Award in 2009. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund. We work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council, and have the support numerous volunteers in the office and in the field. 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 To apply: -Download the research internship application form from our web page www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/internships/ -Send your application together with a cover letter and CV to Dr. Dussán-Duque- salome.dussan-duque@seawatchfoundation.org.uk Please specify NEW QUAY INTERN APPLICATION 2015 into your subject title. ONLY successful applicants will be notified of the results of their application by the end of February 2015. Kathy James Sightings Officer Sea Watch Foundation Paragon House Wellington Place New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9NR Tel: 01545 561227 www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk