*Cetacean monitoring in the North Western Mediterranean Sea – INTERNSHIP 2013 CIMA Research Foundation is a private non-profit research organization aimed at the advancement 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 interns to fill 4 marine mammal observer internship positions for the field season 2013. 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 costs related to the internship including accommodation and traveling to-from departing harbors. Interns will be responsible for their own travels to Italy. Interns will assist researchers during the whole internship, being directly involved in survey planning, during surveys and for the post-survey processing. Infield surveys aim to collect data on the distribution and behavior of the eight cetacean species commonly inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, interns will be responsible for data collection 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 part 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 , Corsica and Thyrrenian Seas onboard of a 18m long dedicated research sailing vessel. Each survey usually last 3 to 5 consecutive days. Interns will assist researchers with data collection, photo-id as well as actively participating in life on-board. Interns will work 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 fulltime project: all interns will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in line-transect survey protocols and photo-identification. Qualifications - Applicants 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; - Applicants 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; - Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and previous experience with GIS. - Previous field experience is preferred. If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a cover letter, a reference letter and your CV via email to: paola.tepsich@cimafoundation.org Application deadline is 28th February 2013 * -- Non stampare questa mail, pensa all'ambiente!! Before printing, think about the environment! Avant d'imprimer, pensez à l'environnement!