Interns are invited to assist the Sea Watch Foundation (SWF) with the running of the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project. The project is based in the picturesque town of New Quay, West Wales, and supports the conservation management of one of only two semi-resident bottlenose dolphin populations in the UK. Interns will gain experience in the following areas: -Conducting land-based surveys for marine mammals -Conducting boat based line transect surveys for marine mammals -Performing photo-identification matching -Using equipment such as DSLR cameras, GPS units and other field equipment -Data entry using Excel and Access based databases -Public speaking -Running and organising public awareness and outreach activities Fieldwork is weather dependent but interns are scheduled on a daily land based watch and a full day of wildlife boat trips once a week. In addition to this, full day line transect surveys for bottlenose dolphins are conducted regularly within the Cardigan Bay and Pen Llyn a’r Sarnau Special Areas of Conservation. Interns are required from early April until the end of October 2024. The research season is split into four separate periods lasting between 7 and 8 weeks. The research periods for the 2024 season are: Period 1: April 1 - May 26 (8 weeks)
 Period 2: May 27- July 14 (7 weeks) Period 3: July 15 - September 1 (7 weeks)
 Period 4: September 2 - October 27 (8 weeks) Interns will be trained in boat survey protocols, and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins but the following skills are advantageous: -Strong team player with a sense of humour as you’ll be living and working with a small team in the changeable Welsh weather! -Ability to work independently -a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar, prior fieldwork experience is beneficial -Good IT skills -Good written and verbal communication skills Interns will be based in New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales. Accommodation is provided by a private landlord through rental of a house that interns share at a rate of around £82 per person per week. If you are interested in this position, please contact Katrin on katrin.lohrengel@seawatchfoundation.org.uk with a completed Research Intern application form (available on the Sea Watch website) and CV by 28th January 2024. Decisions will be made by 25th February 2024. For a snapshot of what to expect, why not check out our social media profiles! Facebook: shorturl.at/QS568 Instagram: @seawatchfoundation TikTok: @seawatchfoundation