I am a PhD student from the Graduate Program in Acoustics at Penn State. I am seeking an intern to assist me in collecting behavioral and acoustical data on killer whales located on an island off Vancouver Island North, BC. The field season will last approximately 6-7 weeks from the second week of July thru the end of August; the internship itself will be from the approximately July 24 to the last week of August. All observations and data collection will be conducted from shore, but travel by boat to the island is necessary.

This internship is an excellent opportunity for an individual working toward a career in marine mammal science to acquire field experience. An ideal candidate would be dedicated to the marine environment and committed to collecting data to further our understanding of killer whale group dynamics.

Skills intern will learn:

How to distinguish between individuals within a matrilineal unit, subpod or pod

How to estimate group size and composition

How to record and distinguish between different killer whale behaviors

How to record and retrieve acoustic information

How to estimate distances of killer whales to the observation site

How to assess and record environmental conditions and sound speed profile information

Prior knowledge of marine mammal behavior or acoustics is an asset

Must be able to rise early and work long hours

Must be able to camp and work in a remote coastal environment

Capable of hiking daily with equipment from the campsite to the observation cliff (~5km/2.5 miles each way)

Interns will be responsible for travel to the location. Intern will need to supply their own tent, tarp and sleeping gear. Though it does not cost anything to live on the island, a weekly food/water supply fee of $70 will be necessary to participate in the camp.

Please contact me with your interest, background experience and if you would like more information.

Graduate Program in Acoustics

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