Right whale Internship posting: Provincetown Center for
Coastal Studies 

The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies is seeking an intern for
the upcoming 2010 right whale survey season. This person will work with
both the aerial survey and habitat survey teams, who operate between
January and May every year, documenting the abundance, distribution and
behavior of North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay. The intern will
primarily assist staff members with photographing right whales and
collecting behavioral and environmental data at sites in Cape Cod Bay.
The successful applicant will also be responsible for a number of
lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images,
database entry, and matching images to known animals using an online
catalog.  He/ she will be required to work a minimum of four full
days per week. The intern will often collect data independently in the
field, thus responsible, detail-oriented applicants are encouraged to
apply.
Fieldwork will likely involve one to two surveys per week, between
January 2 and May 15. Applicants must be available for the full field
season. 

Requirements: 


A degree, preferably in biological/ environmental sciences
(required).

Experience with digital SLR cameras.

Experience in photo-identification of marine mammals, and matching of
photographs (required).

Data entry; basic computer skills in programs such as Excel and Word
(required). 

Experience of working on boats. Must not suffer from seasickness.

Must work well in a team. Field hours can be long and the winter
fieldwork conditions are cold. 

Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab-based research
methods.

A valid US drivers license would be beneficial but is not
essential.   


Housing will be provided, as well as a stipend of $1000 for the whole
internship period. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone wishing to
expand their skills in marine mammal survey techniques, and will offer
the successful applicant the unique chance to work with one of the
world?s most endangered cetacean species, the North Atlantic right whale. 

PCCS has a long history of conservation and research work with the North
Atlantic right whale. This internship will afford the successful
applicant an invaluable opportunity to work within a well-established
institution, with highly-qualified scientists, and to gain experience in
photo-identification, matching, data entry and analysis. Some experience
in plankton sampling may also be gained. Details of our work can be found
at the following links:  

Habitat program: 

http://www.coastalstudies.org/what-we-do/right-whales/vbhabstudies.htm
 
 
Aerial program:

http://www.coastalstudies.org/what-we-do/right-whales/aerialsur.htm 
 
Application process:  
Please submit your cover letter, resume, college transcripts (unofficial
are sufficient), and the contact information for three references via
email to rleeney@coastalstudies.org ; please compile these into one pdf
file if possible. 
The closing date for applications is November 15, 2009.