The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI), a marine science education centre, invites applications for thesis projects in a dynamic, international, and qualified research environment. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION - Writing a thesis with the BDRI can help you take your ideas and your passion for marine mammals to the next level. At BDRI, interns are an important part of the team. BDRI is a place where students develop laboratory and field research skills and get hands-on experience working with a professional team of marine mammal scientists. Becoming part of our research team, you will get a unique perspective on our research work. This is more than just a training experience - it is a great opportunity to get your resume off to a marvellous start, have fun, and gain experience that will last a lifetime. As an intern, you will be encouraged to work hard and gain an insight of what it is actually like to work as a marine mammal researcher. Interns will be trained to participate with multiple research projects involving a combination of boat-based and land-based surveys, laboratory work (photo-identification, GIS, data transcription, bioacoustics, diet analysis, diving behaviour, video analysis, database work, etc), and strandings (response, rescue, necropsy, and data collection). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English. THESIS RESEARCH TOPICS - This post brings the opportunity to be trained by the BDRI' researchers in all the steps of your thesis work from the selection of the most adequate topic of research, data collection and processing to analysis and final writing. When you apply for an internship you can work on different research projects along the North-western coast of Spain. The main research topics of the BDRI include cetacean’s ecology, ethology, and bioacoustics but also we offer new research studies about marine birds ecology and distribution. A thesis dissertation will be the most prominent piece of your graduate work up to this point, and a pertinent thesis question that forms the spine of this research work elevates it from the prosaic to the significant. The BDRI has an already developed methodology for data collection in the field, we collect different types of variables that will be used to answer questions regarding the studied animals and their surroundings. You will be expected to think for yourself and work hard in order to apply the theory you have learnt in your university, but also to learn new things through the process of performing your work. The role of the BDRI supervisor is to guide you during your thoughts and work. Helping to shape, refine and direct you in your choices and different steps of your dissertation. LOCATION - The project is based in the North-western coast of Spain (Galicia), an important hotspot for cetaceans. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and an important area of upwelling, Galicia is considered to be one of the most productive oceanic regions on the world; nor surprisingly this is Spain's main fishing region. No fewer than 22 cetacean species and more than 20 marine bird species have been recorded in Galician waters over the years. HOW TO APPLY – A strong interest in marine biology and conservation, self-motivation, and the desire to spend long hours in the field and office are required. If the intern intends to receive academic credit, he/she will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions. Internship start and end dates are flexible but the position requires a minimum duration in relation with the subject of the thesis selected sometime between 8th January 2018 through to end November 2018. The BDRI is a private and self-funded centre, hence, there is a tuition fee including the training, supervision, accommodation in an apartment, use of research equipment, use of facilities and research vessels, and other expenses derived of your participation (access to wifi in the apartment, kitchen utensils, etc). Successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from the research centre (O Grove, Galicia, Spain). Interested candidates should submit an application with the following: - A cover letter including your availability and preferred research topics (1 page only); - A resume describing training, experience and relevant skills (2 pages only); - BDRI's application form, you can download from <www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/applicationinternships.doc> Please send these items as e-mail attachments (PDF preferred) to: severine@thebdri.com Approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Positions are open until filled. For more information about BDRI's research and conservation work, please visit www.thebdri.com or our Facebook page. Best regards, and see you in Galicia! Bruno Díaz López Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain www.thebdri.com 0034 684 248552 This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation.