The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute, a research institution dedicated since 2005 to the understanding and conservation of marine mammals and the marine environment in which they live, is now accepting applications for its Internship Program 2020.?
Our scientific research experience and commitment to research, education, and conservation make our center an important source of knowledge about marine biodiversity and the environment for scientists, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and the public. This training experience provides the opportunity for highly motivated individuals to work with and learn from a multidisciplinary team of marine mammal scientists, including internationally renowned investigators. We offer participants their first experience of a marine megafauna long-term project by involving them in the routine activities associated with different research projects. The position is located in O Grove (Galicia, NW Spain). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION – An internship period at the BDRI offers an excellent opportunity for interested and motivated people to obtain field and laboratory experience in marine megafauna (cetaceans, marine birds, sharks, and otters) field research methodology and data analysis. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, participants are trained to get involved with multiple research projects involving a combination of boat-based surveys onboard research vessels, land-based observations, laboratory work (photo-identification, GIS, bioacoustics, diet analysis, diving behaviour, video analysis, database work, etc), and strandings (response, rescue, necropsy, and data collection). While you’ll benefit from specialized research training, you’ll need the drive to make the most of our research programs working side by side with the chief biologist (Dr. Bruno Diaz Lopez), and other experienced researchers (Severine Methion, Ph.D. candidate & marine ecologist and Oriol Giralt, Ph.D.
candidate & marine biologist). The incredible diversity of cetaceans present in Galician waters allows the BDRI team to have several ongoing research projects focused on the study of the ecology and behaviour of cetaceans (bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, Risso’s dolphins, common dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales, humpback whales, minke whales, sei whales, fin whales, and blue whales), marine birds, Eurasian otters, and sharks.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – Internships are open to applicants 18 years of age or older. An academic background in biology, veterinary or natural science, coupled with motivation and interest in marine research make the most qualified individuals. Start and end dates are flexible depending on the needs of the institute and the intern?s availability, but the position requires a minimum of 30 days continuous commitment sometime between January 2020 through to November 2020. Approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. BDRI internships are not paid and this training experience requires a tuition fee which is used to off-set the cost of training, use of research equipment, facilities and research vessels, shared accommodation, and other expenses. The fee reflects the real-world costs and expenses that go into making the research program possible and the BDRI Internship Program worthwhile.
HOW TO APPLY – Interested candidates should submit an e-mail to info@thebdri.com, and we will provide you further information about the program. Approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Positions are open until filled (maximum 15 vacancies).
For more information and details, please visit: <https://www.thebdri.com/internships.html>
Some of our ex-interns shared their BDRI internship experience at <https://youtu.be/UAuO2XasBnw>
For regular updates with photos and videos about our programs and research activities feel free to visit <https://www.facebook.com/thebdri/>
BDRI’s reputation for success rests solidly on its ability to carry out studies published in prestigious scientific journals. Scientific articles published by the BDRI team in 2019 (for a full list of publications please visit: <https://www.thebdri.com/papers.html>):
– Methion S, Diaz Lopez B (2019) Individual foraging variation drives social organization in bottlenose dolphins. Behavioral Ecology. doi:10.1093/beheco/arz160
– Diaz Lopez B, Methion S (2019) Habitat drivers of endangered rorqual whales in a highly impacted upwelling region. Ecological Indicators 103, 610-616.
– Methion B, Diaz Lopez B (2019) First record of atypical pigmentation pattern in fin whale Balaenoptera physalus in the Atlantic Ocean. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 135:121-125.
– Diaz Lopez B, Methion S, Giralt Paradell O (2019) Living on the edge: Overlap between a marine predator?s habitat use and fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic waters (NW Spain). Progress in Oceanography 175, 115-223.
– Methion S, Diaz Lopez B (2019) Natural and anthropogenic drivers of foraging behaviour in bottlenose dolphins: influence of shellfish aquaculture. Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 29(6), 927-937.
– Giralt Paradell O, Diaz Lopez B, Methion S, (2019) Modelling common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) coastal distribution and habitat use: insights for conservation. Ocean and Coastal Management 179, 104836.
– Diaz Lopez B (2019) “Hot deals at sea”: responses of a top predator (Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus) to human-induced changes in the coastal ecosystem. Behavioural Ecology 2(3), 291-300.
Bruno Diaz Lopez Ph.D
Chief biologist and Director
The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI
Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain
www.thebdri.com
0034 684248552
Like us on Facebook (thebdri). Follow us on Instagram (thebdri). Mention us on Twitter (thebdri).