*Cetacean monitoring in the Ligurian Sea (North Western Mediterranean) – Internship 2012* * * * * CIMA Research Foundation is a private non-profit research organization aimed to the advance of science and engineering in environmentally related fields, focusing on public health and safety, civil protection and the preservation of terrestrial and water-related ecosystems. CIMA RF is based in Savona, Italy, and it is seeking *4 interns* for the field season 2012. This is a full-time position requiring a* 5 months commitment from May through September.* This internship is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing a career in marine mammal research to strengthen their skills and above all to gain practical experience in the field. We also encourage the use of this internship as the basis for the development of bachelor as well as master thesis. This is an unpaid position but CIMA RF will cover expenses related to the internship like accommodation, food expenses, traveling to-from departing harbors. Interns will be responsible for their own travels to Italy. Housing will be offered in the Savona University Campus (accommodation will be in a double room with other intern). Interns will assist researchers during the whole internship, being directly involved in surveys at sea as well as in post-survey data entry. The projects aim to collect baseline data on the distribution and behavior of the eight different cetacean species inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, interns will be responsible for data collecting and data entry of two projects: i) *Monitoring Cetaceans from Ferries* – this project is held in collaboration with a national ferry company. Interns will be on board of ferries operating between Italy and Corsica / Sardinia at least twice a week and they will be responsible of the Marine Mammal Observer team working on the ferry. ii) *Ziphius Project* – this project is focused on the local Cuvier’s beaked whale population and it foresees weekly surveys in the Ligurian and Corsica Seas on board of a 18m long sailing vessel. Each survey usually last 2 to 4 consecutive days. Interns will assist researchers with data collecting, photo-id as well as actively participate in life on-board. Interns will work equally on both projects. The internship foresees also a large amount of time to be dedicated to data entry and data analysis in the office. Because of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit to the project fulltime: all interns will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in line-transect survey protocols and photo-identification. *Qualifications : *Applicant must be reliable, motivated and team oriented, have a positive attitude as well as a genuine interest in marine mammal science; Applicants should possess or be enrolled in a BS or MS course in biology, environmental sciences or a related major; Applicant must be adaptable and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. This means a lot of data-entry work during bad weather and long consecutive days in the field when weather permits; Knowledge of MS Office software and data entry skills are highly desired; Previous experience in the field is advantageous but not required. If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a cover letter and your CV via email to Paola Tepsich paola.tepsich@cimafoundation.org *Application deadline : 29th February 2012* Do not hesitate to contact us for any further information! -- Non stampare questa mail, pensa all'ambiente!! Before printing, think about the environment! Avant d'imprimer, pensez à l'environnement!