Four Internships Available for 2014 Humpback Whale Field Season in Puerto Rico, USA! Deadline to apply: September 30, 2013 Four full time internships are available for the winter of 2014 to assist in PhD dissertation research focusing on seasonal occurrence patterns and social strategies of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) wintering off Puerto Rico, USA. Two interns will organize and analyze data. Two interns will be involved in mentoring students and data collection in the field. One of the four selected interns will be team leader and all interns must be available for the entire field season. This is the 4th year for accepting interns for this long term study. General description: 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 and mentoring students at the base station. Photographic and acoustic data will be analyzed during days when field excursions are not practical or possible. There may be opportunity for aerial survey experience. Commitment: Interns are required to be available full time from January 01-May 01, 2014. Preference is given to recent graduates with a degree in marine biology. Previous participation in an MCERC program is an advantage. Interns must stay at the base station in San German, Puerto Rico, USA 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. All interns must speak conversational English. Responsibilities: Interns are fully involved in all aspects of this project including preparation and maintenance of equipment, data collection and management, up keep of the field house, 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). Two interns will be dedicated to organizing and analyzing photographic and acoustic data. Interns in these positions will work Monday- Friday (long days with weekends off) at the field station. These are not field positions. A laptop computer is required and must run a Windows based operating system (not Mac) to be able to run necessary software. Training will include Mysticetus tracking software, Ishmael acoustic analysis software, and programs associated with managing photographic data. Two interns will be dedicated to mentoring students participating in the Humpback Whale Field Intensive. These positions are Sunday-Friday with Saturdays off. One “Education Specialist Intern” will be the team leader for all four positions and will have the ability to oversee all tasks and the basic routine of the field station. “Education Specialist” interns will be trained in collection of data from small vessel and land based platforms as well as effective teaching methods. All interns will receive training specific to their roles in the project and can expect to learn a great deal from this internship including humpback whale ecology, field methods, and cetacean behavioral ecology in exchange for a long field season. Final candidates will be provided contact details of previous interns and be expected to engage in a conversation via Skype before the final selection to assure new interns are clear about our winter schedule. This provides candidates an opportunity to ask questions from peers. Provisions & Accommodations: You will be provided with a place to sleep at the base station and transportation to all field sites (for education interns) from the base station at no cost. Interns will pitch in for food. Please visit the MCERC website and read the entire description of the base station (www.Marine-Eco.org). There is no stipend or salary for these positions. Travel: Interns are responsible for transportation to and from San German, Puerto Rico, USA. Interns are responsible for determining and acquiring necessary travel documents, including visas, to the USA. MCERC will provide a letter stating intern’s involvement with the project. Qualifications: Priority is given to students with an upbeat, hardworking and positive attitude. The ability to take direction and live in close quarters with 8 (or more) people is a key to a successful field season. Previous participation in an MCERC program is a helpful, but not required. A stellar academic average is a plus, but is not a requirement and should not discourage interested people with less than perfect academic scores from applying. A desire to learn new skills and mentor students, a strong work ethic, and the ability to promote a positive attitude towards stewardship of marine habitats 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 (Marine-Eco.org) and submit a letter of interest, CV, and availability to Mithriel@Marine-Eco.org together in one email. Candidates should be familiar with the associated website at www.Marine-Eco.org prior to applying and interviews. Applications are only accepted for one internship position to assure interest is matched with tasks and support interns in maintaining high quality research. Applications for both the “data management-analysis” position and the “education-data collection” internship cannot be considered. The team leader will be selected after all interns are accepted. Candidates for internships will complete an interview via Skype or in person prior to being accepted for a position for the 2014 field season. Notification of acceptance is expected before September 30, 2013. Candidates offered an internship will be required to purchase travel to Puerto Rico, USA within 2 weeks as a sign of commitment in January 2014. A waiting list may be created. Please feel free to distribute this call for interns to other lists and individuals that may be excited to participate in humpback whale research and fit the description of our team member! Mithriel M. MacKay Ph.D. Candidate Marine Mammal Research Program Department of Marine Biology Texas A&M University, Galveston (830) 688-9878 mithriel.mackay@gmail.com and Director of Research and Education Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center San German, Puerto Rico, USA and Pipe Creek, Texas 78063 www.Marine-Eco.org MCERC.mail@gmail.com