Marine Mammal Internships & Research Opportunities in the Aegean Sea

We are excited to announce internship opportunities in marine mammal research. Students, recent graduates and scientists can join Archipelagos' research and conservation efforts in Eastern Aegean.

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is a Greek non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to researching and defending the rich biodiversity of the Greek seas and islands, as well as of the NE Mediterranean region overall. This region of rare biodiversity is in desperate need of protection as is being increasing threatened by harmful anthropogenic activities!

The Eastern Aegean region is home many rare and endangered species, including some of the most important remaining populations in the Mediterranean of several marine mammals.Research surveys can focus on:
- Dolphin populations, including: D. delphis (common dolphin), T. truncatus (bottlenose dolphin), S.coeruleoalba (striped dolphin) and G. griseus (Risso’s dolphin);
- Whale populations, including: P. macrocephalus (sperm whale), Ziphius cavirostris (Cuvier’s beaked whale) and occasional visitors B. physalus (fin whale);
- The Mediterranean monk seal (M. monachus), an important and critically endangered marine mammal specie found in the region.

Aims
• Efficient conservation of the marine mammal populations from anthropogenic threats
• Monitoring of habitat use, abundance and distribution
• Study of population structure and dynamics
• Study of behavioural ecology & communication
• Study of factors of impact (with a focus on interactions with fisheries).

Responsibilities:
• Boat-based surveys (weather dependent)
• Photo-identification and matching techniques
• Collecting environmental and anthropogenic data
• Gathering acoustic data
• Data entry and analysis
• Raising awareness
• Utilizing ArcGIS to map populations
• Questionaire-based surveys
• First aid of stranded animals (e.g., cetaceans, seals and sea turtles)
For more information please click here

Other internship/ research topics:
Marine/ Fisheries Research & Management
Research & Conservation of Island Flora and Fauna
GIS Mapping of Biodiversity
Laboratory Assessment of Environmental Impacts
Illustration, Graphic & Animation Design
Environmental Photography & Film Production
Environmental Education,
and many more
Click here for more information.

Placement details:
Duration: 3-12 months (shorter duration is consider on a case-by-case basis)
Location: Archipelagos’ research bases and stations in the eastern Aegean Sea (Samos, Lipsi, Ikaria, Arki, Marathi islands). Placements may also include working on board one of the two small research boats.
Costs: Placement fee of 650euros/month
Covers: accommodation, full board and all placement costs.
(frequently placement fee and travel etc expenses are covered by grants such as Erasmus+, or other equivalent)

Extras: Participants have the option to obtain (at no further cost):
a) Sailing skipper license – includes a log book noting the miles traveled
b) PADI Open Water scuba diving certification – free during summer months- at discounted rate for the rest of the year (cost of equipment rental is not included)
c) Greek language lessons

Please pass this along to faculty members and students who may be interested in this opportunity.

For further information you can contact admissions@archipelago.gr

We hope to see you in the Aegean islands!