Internships Opportunities for Humpback Whale Research
Two internships in Puerto Rico, USA, are available for the winter of 2012 to assist in PhD dissertation research focusing on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) wintering off Puerto Rico.
General description: Research for this project includes occupancy, habitat use, and movement of humpback whales wintering off Puerto Rico. Examination of reaction to vessel traffic from land based platforms using theodolite tracking will be included in data collection. We anticipate a minimum of 1-3 days/week of vessel based data collection, 2-3 days/week land based data collection, and inclement weather days spent managing data at the base station. Acoustic data will be analyzed during days when field excursions are not practical or possible.
Commitment: Interns are required to be available full time from the end of December 2011 until the middle of May 2012. It may be possible to split the internship positions between people (effectively creating a maximum of four internships lasting half the season). Preference is given to senior undergraduates and recent graduates with a BSc. Two positions will be aimed at students from Puerto Rico. Interns must stay at the base station in Guayanilla and be prepared for very long days. We typically rise well before sunrise and finish well after sunset each day. Breaks (“days off”) are infrequent. This is a low density area for humpbacks. The ability to maintain land based observations for hours (or even a full day) without seeing a whale requires commitment and patience.
Responsibilities: Interns are fully involved in all aspects of this project including preparation and maintenance of equipment, data collection, and mentoring students who join our team during the field season. We interact with the public and peers frequently. Interns will be involved in outreach opportunities (impromptu and scheduled).
Provisions & Accommodations: You will be provided with a place to sleep at the base station and transportation to all field sites from the base station at no cost. Interns pitch in for food. Please visit the website and read the entire description of the base station (see below for link).
Travel: Interns are responsible for transportation to and from Ponce, Puerto Rico. We will get you from the Ponce Airport and bring you to the base station in Guayanilla. Residents of Puerto Rico are required to live at the base station with the team during their internship.
Qualifications: Priority is given to students with an upbeat, hardworking and positive attitude. The ability to take direction and live in close quarters with 6-8 people is also a must. A stellar academic grade average is a plus, but is not a requirement and should not discourage interested people with lower academic scores from applying. A strong desire to learn new skills, mentor other students, and promote a positive attitude towards stewardship is essential for candidates.
Interested senior undergraduates (with majors in marine biology or related field), recent graduates seeking to gain experience in marine biology/ecology, and graduate students are encouraged to look over the website (compusafe.biz/humpbacks_off_puert_rico) and submit a letter of interest, CV, and availability to mithriel.mackay@gmail.com. Please place "Humpback Whale Internship" in the subject bar for questions and applications.