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Marine Animal Response Intern

If you are a degreed or degree-seeking individual engaged in fields of study such as marine biology, ecology, ocean sciences, or related fields, we offer internship opportunities in HMAR programs such as Field Support & Outreach, Marine Debris, or Education & Engagement.

This internship period will run from December 15-March 31.

As an intern, it is important to note:

All internships are unpaid positions that do not include housing or living expenses.
Internships require a minimum of 20 hours per week of work for at least 3 months, and access to a personal and reliable car or truck. Full-time internships are also available.
Internships can be applied as college credit if your institution allows. Interns are responsible for coordinating the requirements for college credit.
Interns are responsible for acquiring their own needs equipment such as binoculars, hiking shoes, vehicle, fuel, camera, and other materials outlined in our application.
Interns must be 18 years of age, be a U.S. citizen or hold applicable visas, and be fluent in the English language.
Interns must be capable of certain physical requirements due to the nature of field activities. Interns should be able to walk for at least 2 miles in sandy/rocky shorelines, able to carry 75 pounds for at least 100 feet, be able to swim, and capable of working in variable weather conditions.

You will need to submit a CV/resume, cover letter, and provide three references as part of your application process.
Due to the nature of HMAR’s activities, it’s essential that interns can maintain a calm demeanor in stressful situations, enjoy communicating with the public, are able to work as part of a team, and are eager to learn new skills.

To apply please submit application to h-mar.org/jointheteam

FWC Florida Manatee Photo-identification Internships

Manatee Photo-identification Internships

The manatee photo-identification program is based in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). FWRI is the research arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a state agency. For more information about FWRI, please visit: https://myfwc.com/research/. FWRI’s manatee photo-identification research focuses on long-term monitoring of Florida manatees in southwest Florida. The program’s primary goal is to document individual manatees, which allows us to estimate annual adult survival and reproductive rates and to model population dynamics for state and federal assessments of Florida manatee status and recovery. Photo-identification data also provide insight regarding manatee movements, site fidelity, habitat use and behavior.

Interns will primarily assist staff members with photographing manatees and collecting behavioral and environmental data at sites around Tampa Bay. Interns will also be responsible for a number of lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images, entering information into databases, scanning data sheets and matching images to known animals. Interns often collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Most field work is land-based; however, during the winter session opportunities are available to assist with boat-based manatee photo-identification. Other responsibilities may include but are not limited to data entry, assisting with manatee genetics research, special projects and outreach activities. This internship provides a great opportunity to gain valuable field and lab experience at a government agency.

Two positions are available each year: one in winter (November to March) and one in summer (May to September). Start and end dates are flexible; however, a minimum commitment of four weekdays per week for four months is required. Work hours are typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the institute. Positions are open until filled, and priority will be given to candidates who can commit for longer periods.

Qualifications:

· Computer proficiency; Microsoft Access literacy preferred.

· Working knowledge of SLR digital cameras, filters and lenses preferred but not required.

· The ability to lift approximately 50 pounds of equipment.

· A valid U.S. Driver’s License.

· Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab based research methods.

If you are interested in applying for an internship with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the following information is required:

· A cover letter describing the internship you are applying for; area(s) of academic/research interest; and the dates, days, and hours of availability.

· A resume (or curriculum vitae) describing your relevant training and experience.

· Current academic transcripts. (unofficial are sufficient)

· Names and contact information for three references.

Please submit application items as an e-mail attachment to: Interns@MyFWC.com

If electronic submission is not possible, hard copies can be mailed to:

Internship Coordinator

FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

100 Eighth Avenue SE

St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020

Applicants may contact FWRI’s Manatee Photo-identification Project Manager, Kari Rood, (Kari.Rood@MyFWC.com, 727-502-4737) with questions regarding the internship.

Virginia Aquarium – Stranding Response Intern

The Virginia Aquarium’s Research & Conservation Division is now accepting Stranding Response Intern applications for summer 2021. The application deadline is February 12, 2021. Internships will be approximately three months long, starting between May and June. Internships will be fulfilled in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines and positions are subject to change based on the most current recommendations. Please note that all positions are non-compensatory and housing is not provided by the Virginia Aquarium. Interns are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit.

Position Overview
Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) interns promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, rescue, rehabilitation, and education. Once accepted, interns will be assigned to a focus area of either necropsy or rehabilitation. Interns will be cross-trained in all aspects of stranding response, however, daily tasks will be assigned to interns according to focus area. Stranding work is unpredictable, therefore experiences will vary by internship session. VAQS staff will provide as many learning opportunities as possible during each session.

Duties
– Respond to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles in the field.
– Participate in all aspects of post-mortem examinations: cutting and sampling, data collection, photographing, carcass removal, and cleaning.
– Perform daily husbandry tasks, including food preparation, feeding, and cleaning the rehab area, kitchen and associated supplies.
– Assist staff with new admits and daily treatments of patients. Restrain animals for exams, collect vitals (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) and morphometrics, take photographs, administer medications, and perform wound care.
– Ensure response preparedness by stocking response bags, fueling vehicles, and cleaning gear.
– Assist with releases of rehabilitation patients, public outreach events, and volunteer/cooperator trainings.
– Assist staff with daily administrative tasks, including answering hotline calls, data entry, and completing response paperwork.
– Complete other projects and tasks as assigned by VAQS staff.

Qualifications
– Must be at least 18 years old.
– Must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or have recently graduated (within last two years).
– Must be physically fit with the ability to lift 50lbs and walk long distances on the beach in adverse conditions such as extreme heat and cold, humidity, rain, and wind.
– Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team.
– Should be comfortable around dead and decomposing animals.
– Should be comfortable driving large pick-up trucks and vans (preferred). Willing to learn how to drive response vehicles, if accepted (required).
– Background in biology and familiarity with stranding response (preferred).
– Experience with DSLR cameras and Microsoft Access (preferred).

Position Requirements
– Attend VAQS orientation and City of Virginia Beach Defensive Driving.
– Possess a valid driver’s license.
– Pass a City of Virginia Beach background check.
– Wear a mask and comply with all organizational COVID-19 preventative measures.

Internship Learning Objectives
Develop fundamental hands-on stranding response and rehabilitation skills:
– Perform post-mortem examinations on sea turtle and marine mammals.
– Perform basic health assessments of rehabilitation patients, including vitals collection, wound treatment, administering medications, and blood processing.
– Complete Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) and Level A forms.
– Enter stranding data in Microsoft Access.

Intern Schedule
Intern is expected to be available 3-4 days per week, 8am-4:30pm. Weekend and holiday coverage is expected.

Minimum Commitment Required
24 hours per week for the duration of the internship.

Intern Supervisor/Mentor
VAQS Volunteer Manager and project supervisor.

Work Location
Virginia Aquarium’s Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center

Application Requirements
If applying via email, please send application to interns@virginiaaquarium.com and copy vaqstranding@gmail.com. A complete Stranding Response Intern packet must include the following components. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
– Cover letter including preferred focus area (necropsy or rehabilitation) and internship expectations. While we will do our best to accommodate intern preferences, staff will make the final focus area determination. There is some flexibility with internship start/end dates; please include any known schedule conflicts in your cover letter.
– Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center internship application form.
– Two letters of recommendation; one must be an academic reference. Letters can be sent separately to vaqstranding@gmail.com
– Resume
– College transcript(s)

For more information about the application process, please visit: https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/about-us/Pages/internship-application.aspx

Ex-situ Research Volunteer Positions at Ocean Park Hong Kong

Ex-situ Research Volunteer Positions at Ocean Park for Biology, Marine Science and Engineering students

What we do?
Ocean Park accepts local and international students to join its research internship and volunteer programme. The research team of Ocean Park aims to build a strong bridge between scientific advancement, animal welfare, conservation and education. Our current projects are all designed with special attention to these four pillars of ex-situ research efforts focusing on various aspects of animal behaviour, cognition and perceptions that maybe keys to the survival of the species. As a member of AZA, Ocean Park continuously thrives to provide the best possible environment and care, using scientific approach for behavioural monitoring and analysis for both marine and terrestrial species. Moreover, our cognitive experiments investigate the ability of problem solving, shape recognition, associative learning as well as on mutualistic and altruistic cooperation.
For more information:
https://www.oceanpark.com.hk/en/education-conservation/conservation/animal-care-and-welfare/research
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/zoo.21536
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376635718304431

How to get involved?
Applications are not restricted from the above-mentioned fields. The selection is based on both academic results and extracurricular merits, but most importantly on the candidates’ dedication and self-motivation.

We have full time (5 days/week) and part-time (min. 1.5 days/week) On-site volunteer positions and Off-site positions for Behavioural and Acoustic data analysts. All positions are unpaid with a minimum commitment of 3-months. Successful candidates receive specific training according to the assigned positions.

What will You learn?
 Learn what it takes to work in the field of research
 Hands on experience with experimental setup and data analysis
 Understanding of animals’ physiology and behaviour
 Team work, coordination and independent responsibilities
 Research planning and execution
 Research communication
 Basic foundation for your future career
Qualifications and requirements
On-site volunteers:
• Have a positive attitude and strong willingness to learn 

• Good oral/written communication skills in English 

• Basic computer knowledge 

• Able to work independently as well as in a team 

• Must be responsible for food, accommodation and transportation 

• Past experience with animals is desirable 

• Able to comply with OP volunteer rules and regulations 

Off-site working volunteers – Behavioural data analyst: 

• Have a positive attitude and strong willingness to learn 

• Self-motivation 

• Good oral/written communication skills in English 

• Computer knowledge: Excel, Word, QuickTime Player 7, BORIS 

• The ideal candidate will have strong attention to details and ability to work precisely 
and accurately 

• Able to comply with OP volunteer rules and regulations 

Off-site working volunteers – Acoustic data analyst: 

• Have a positive attitude and strong willingness to learn 

• Self-motivation 

• Good oral/written communication skills in English 

• Basic programming knowledge of signal procession and filtering

• Experience with MATLAB and Audacity 

• The ideal candidate will have strong attention to details and ability to work precisely 
and accurately 

• Able to comply with OP volunteer rules and regulations

How to apply?
To apply please submit the following (same for all positions):

• Statement of Interest • Academic Records
• Period of Availability • Letters of Reference
• Preferred Position • Curriculum Vitae

Starting date: September 2020

Please send applications to Ms Eszter Matrai, eszter.matrai@oceanpark.com.hk with "Dolphin Research Volunteer" in the subject line.

Research Department
Ocean Park Corporation

Marketing and Media Internship

Seal Rescue Ireland: Marketing and Media Internship

Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI) is a charity organisation which operates a busy marine animal rescue and rehabilitation centre located in Courtown, Co. Wexford. As the only facility that fully rehabilitates seals within the Republic of Ireland, SRI responds to strandings nationwide. Most reports are for young grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and common seal (Phoca vitulina) pups found sick, injured or orphaned across the Irish coastline. In addition, SRI pursues understanding and public engagement of ocean conservation and sustainability through education, community outreach and research programmes. SRI has a growing social media presence, and is gaining international recognition for our work.

SRI is currently accepting applications for their Marketing and Media Internship position. This high paced, full-time position is for a minimum of 12 weeks, but longer time commitments are encouraged. After completion of initial training, interns who excel may be invited to stay longer and offered higher levels of responsibility.

Due to Covid-19, Seal Rescue Ireland is only considering applications from Irish residents until further notice. All offers of internship positions with Seal Rescue Ireland may be subject to change depending on government regulations and advice, as well as SRI’s decisions on what is best for the health and well-being of our team. We thank everyone for their flexibility and understanding during this crisis.

Reports to: Operations Manager

Job Summary: This position will provide the intern with work experience in all aspects of a rescue and rehabilitation centre with a primary focus on producing quality media content, digital design, written content, photos and video for use on our website, social media, monthly newsletter, adoptions programme, marketing, educational and fundraising projects. The intern will assist with marketing and advertising projects, fundraising programs and events, and other administrative tasks. This position requires a skilled photographer who will be responsible for capturing consistent photographs and videos of the animals in care, daily activities at the centre, and events on and off-site (i.e. rescues, releases, educational talks, outreach events, etc.), as well as developing content consistent with SRI’s message of ocean conservation and sustainability. Partial involvement in assisting in husbandry care of rehabilitation animals is an option if interested.

Requirements: Applicants must have a keen interest in marine conservation, and environmental stewardship. Skills in developing media content and photography are a must, with examples of your work to be submitted with your application. Applicants must have effective communication skills, the ability to represent SRI in a professional manner and work well in a team setting. Applicants must possess the ability to adapt to an ever-changing work environment, and be available to work nights, weekends and holidays. Public speaking, graphic design and website maintenance skills are encouraged. A degree or pursuit of a degree in business management, communication, marketing, public relations, or a similar field is preferred. Applicants must be fluent in English, since this role involves communicating with the public and developing written content. For non-native English speakers coming from European countries, we require a C1 level of English.

Duties Include:

Participate in educational talks and tours.
Assist in design, development and maintenance of the SRI website
Keep up to date photographs and video of the seals in care
Photograph events and daily tasks for use in media, marketing and promotional purposes
Develop educational and promotional written content
Provide assistance to the managers and rehabilitation staff as needed.
Assist with fundraisers and educational events
Assist with clerical duties and office work as needed
(Optional)-Assist in the care and maintenance of the Center’s rehabilitation animals (feeding, medical treatment, daily care, routine cleaning of enclosures and work areas), and assist with rescue and release of stranded animals.
This is an unpaid position. Intern housing may be offered to successful applicants for 90 Euro/week (including food). Interns are responsible for their own travel expenses.
Application Deadlines:

1st of September, 2020 for January, February, March and April, 2021 start dates
-At this time, we will also be hiring for a few remaining positions starting October to December 2020

2nd of January, 2021 for May, June, July, and August, 2021 start dates

1st of May, 2021 for September, October, November, and December, 2021 start dates

Please visit our website at (https://www.sealrescueireland.org/internships/) to download the application form. Then send completed with your resume, cover letter, and examples of your writing and photography to: intern@sealrescueireland.org

Attention: Marketing and Media Internship

Registered Charity: RCN 20108519

Response and Husbandry Internship

Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Internship

San Luis Obispo Operations

The Rescue and Response team at The Marine Mammal Center is seeking applicants for their San Luis Obispo Operations Rescue and Response Internship working primarily with stranded pinnipeds, as well as occasional cetaceans and sea otters. The Rescue and Response Internship is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are interested in increasing their experience and knowledge of marine mammals and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Program Opportunities:

-Gain valuable professional development experience while learning the rescue and response operations for one of the leading marine mammal hospitals
-Work in an organization dedicated to veterinary medicine, research, and ocean conservation
-Learn marine mammal rescue and triage while gaining husbandry experience working with the seal and sea lion patients
-Attend training classes, learning more about rescue and response methods as well as the rehabilitation care for pinnipeds
-Develop interpersonal and team leadership skills working with individuals from diverse backgrounds

Intern Responsibilities:

-Answer and triage the animal rescue hotline
-Coordinate rescue and triage responses throughout San Luis Obispo county
-Participate in marine mammal rescues, releases and other field responses
-Maintain rescue equipment
-Join teams of volunteers to provide triage care for rescued seals and sea lions
Support data entry and tracking of the pinniped patients
-Other projects as assigned

Intern Qualifications:

-All applicants must be 21 years of age or older, with an avid interest in marine biology, zoology, general biology, policy or a related field.
-Interns are required to pass a background check and a motor vehicle check prior to acceptance into the internship.
-Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills and have practical computer knowledge with programs such as Word, Access, and Excel.
-This internship position involves a fair amount of physical activity, such as lifting, restraining and moving animals.
-If the intern intends to receive university credit for their internship, they are responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institution.

Intern Schedule:

Interns must be able to work for a minimum of 4 months, at least 20 hours per week. Work schedule must be flexible and may include weekends and holidays.

Additional Logistics:

This is an unpaid internship. Applicants are responsible for their own housing and transportation for the duration of the internship. Unfortunately, we are unable to host out of state or international applicants at this time.

Application Overview:

Applications are now open for Fall 2020 (September to December). We are accepting applications through 8/31/2020 and will evaluate at that time if we need to extend the positng.

Community Engagement Internship

Seal Rescue Ireland: Community Engagement Internship

Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI) is a registered charity organisation that operates a busy marine animal rescue and rehabilitation centre located in Courtown, Co. Wexford, Ireland. As the only facility that rehabilitates seals within the Republic of Ireland, SRI responds to strandings nationwide. Most reports are for young grey and common seal pups found sick, injured or orphaned across the Irish coastline. In addition, SRI pursues understanding and public engagement of ocean conservation and sustainability through education, community outreach and research programmes.

SRI is currently accepting applications for their dual focus Community Engagement Internship, which will develop a broad set of skills with a focus on education and fundraising. This high paced, full-time position is for a minimum of 12 weeks, but longer time commitments are encouraged. After completion of initial training, interns who excel may be invited to stay longer and offered higher levels of responsibility.

Due to Covid-19, Seal Rescue Ireland is only considering applications from Irish residents until further notice. All offers of internship positions with Seal Rescue Ireland may be subject to change depending on government regulations and advice, as well as SRI’s decisions on what is best for the health and well-being of our team. We thank everyone for their flexibility and understanding during this crisis.

Reports to: Community Engagement Manager

Job Summary: This unique position will provide the intern with work experience in many different aspects of a rescue and rehabilitation centre with a primary focus on fundraising and planning outreach events. The intern will be expected to assist with developing the fundraising program, plan/attend events, source other types of funding, and promote ocean conservation and sustainability while representing SRI. We seek to have two events per week planned offsite (seal releases, beach cleans, information tables at shopping centers, markets, festivals, etc.) to raise awareness and donations, and this role will help us to achieve that goal. When not attending events the intern will work on site assisting with educational tours and administration duties. The applicant will also get the opportunity to be trained on and be involved with assisting in the husbandry care and maintenance of rehabilitation animals if desired.

Requirements: Applicants are desired to have previous experience in fundraising and/or worked in nonprofits. A degree or pursuit of a degree in business management, event planning, marketing, public relations, fundraising, or similar field are preferred. Applicants must be organized, personable, show initiative and have ability to independently plan events. Background knowledge of marine mammals and ocean ecology is preferred. Having good people skills, being comfortable around children and the ability to speak to a crowd is a must. Applicants must possess the ability to adapt to an ever-changing work environment, and be available to work nights, weekends and holidays. Ability to drive in Ireland preferred (current driver’s license and clean driving record). Having your own vehicle is preferred, however applicants over 25 years of age may be able to drive SRI vehicles. Applicants must be fluent in English, since this role involves a lot of communicating with the public. For non-native English speakers coming from European countries, we require a C1 level of English.

Duties Include:
Educate the public on ocean conservation via events, tours and presentations.
Plan and carry out fundraisers and outreach events.
Establish and maintain professional correspondences with venue representatives.
Oversee and develop the adoptions and membership programmes.
Assist in the care and maintenance of the Center’s rehabilitation animals (if desired).
Provide assistance to the managers and rehabilitation staff as needed.
Perform other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Coordinate transport of stranded animals, and keep records of strandings.

This is an unpaid position. Intern housing may be offered to successful applicants for 90 Euro/week (including food). Interns are responsible for their own travel expenses.

Application Deadlines
1st of September, 2020 for January, February, March and April, 2021 start dates
At this time, we will also be hiring for one position starting in October 2020

2nd of January, 2021 for May, June, July, and August, 2021 start dates

1st of May, 2021 for September, October, November, and December, 2021 start dates

Please visit our website at (https://www.sealrescueireland.org/internships/) to download the application form. Then send completed with your resume, cover letter, and two reference letters to: intern@sealrescueireland.org
Attention: Community Engagement Internship

Registered Charity: RCN 20108519

Animal Care and Education Internship

Seal Rescue Ireland: Animal Care and Education Internship

Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI) is a charity organisation which operates a busy marine animal rescue and rehabilitation centre located in Courtown, Co. Wexford. As the only facility that fully rehabilitates seals within the Republic of Ireland, SRI responds to strandings nationwide. Most reports are for young grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and common seal (Phoca vitulina) pups found sick, injured or orphaned across the Irish coastline. In addition, SRI pursues understanding and public engagement of ocean conservation and sustainability through education, community outreach and research programmes.

SRI is currently accepting applications for their dual focus Animal Care and Education Internship programme. With rolling start dates year round, this high paced, full-time position is for a minimum of 12 weeks, but longer time commitments are encouraged. After completion of initial training, interns who excel may be invited to stay longer and offered higher levels of responsibility.

Due to Covid-19, Seal Rescue Ireland is only considering applications from Irish residents until further notice. All offers of internship positions with Seal Rescue Ireland may be subject to change depending on government regulations and advice, as well as SRI’s decisions on what is best for the health and well-being of our team. We thank everyone for their flexibility and understanding during this crisis.

Reports to: Animal Care Manager

Job Summary: This position provides the intern with a well rounded experience of both hands-on marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation work, and promoting public understanding of marine conservation as a whole. The candidate’s time will be split between assisting in the daily care of the animals and hospital operations, and providing educational tours to the public, assisting with fundraising projects, and assisting with administrative duties. The variation of responsibilities provide interns with excellent understanding of what it takes to successfully operate the many different aspects of a wildlife charity. Additionally, each intern gets the opportunity to independently plan one fundraiser project, to learn leadership and organisational skills. Interns that excel may be offered additional levels of responsibility to pursue specialised skill sets.

Requirements: For consideration, applicants must have a background in areas of study such as Pre-Vet, Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science or other animal related field. Applicants must be able to follow written and oral instructions, possess effective communication skills, and be passionate about marine animals and their environment. Applicants should be agile with a good sense of balance in order to manoeuver around enclosures, and must be physically fit and able to lift 25 kg. Applicants must possess the ability to adapt in a fast paced, ever changing environment and have a positive, purposeful attitude. They must be willing to work long hours, nights, weekends and holidays. Previous animal care and handling experience as well as public speaking skills are preferred, however interns will receive training to develop these skills. Applicants must be fluent in English, since clear communication is essential when working around wild animals. For non-native English speakers coming from European countries, we require a C1 level of English.

Duties Include:
Daily animal diet preparations and routine cleaning of enclosures and work areas.
Assist with rescue and release of stranded animals.
Take shifts overseeing the stranding hotline and coordinate seal rescue and transport.
Assist in the care of seals (feeding, restraining, medical treatment, daily care).
Help ensure that the clinical areas are stocked, hygienic and prepared to receive animals.
Maintain and update medical records.
Provide assistance to management and rehabilitation staff as needed.
Assist with fundraisers and educational events.
Assist with clerical duties and office work as needed
Participate in educational talks and tours.
Complete and arrange a personal fundraiser project in aid of the centre.

This is an unpaid position. Intern housing may be offered to successful applicants for 90 Euro/week (including food). Interns are responsible for their own travel expenses.

Application Deadlines:
1st of September, 2020 for January, February, March and April, 2021 start dates
At this time, we will also be hiring for a few remaining positions starting October to December 2020
2nd of January, 2021 for May, June, July, and August, 2021 start dates
1st of May, 2021 for September, October, November, and December, 2021 start dates

Please visit our website at (https://www.sealrescueireland.org/internships/) to download the application form. Then send completed with your resume and cover letter to: intern@sealrescueireland.org

Attention: Animal Care and Education Internship

Registered Charity: RCN 20108519

Ex-situ Research Volunteer Positions at Ocean Park for Biology, Marine Science and Engineering students

What we do?
Ocean Park accepts local and international students to join its research internship and volunteer programme. The research team of Ocean Park aims to build a strong bridge between scientific advancement, animal welfare, conservation and education. Our current projects are all designed with special attention to these four pillars of ex-situ research efforts focusing on various aspects of animal behaviour, cognition and perceptions that maybe keys to the survival of the species. As a member of AZA, Ocean Park continuously thrives to provide the best possible environment and care, using scientific approach for behavioural monitoring and analysis for both marine and terrestrial species. Moreover, our cognitive experiments investigate the ability of problem solving, shape recognition, associative learning as well as on mutualistic and altruistic cooperation.
For more information:
https://www.oceanpark.com.hk/en/education-conservation/conservation/animal-care-and-welfare/research
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/zoo.21536

How to get involved?
Applications are not restricted from the above-mentioned fields. The selection is based on both academic results and extracurricular merits, but most importantly on the candidates’ dedication and self-motivation.

We have full time (5 days/week) and part-time (min. 1.5 days/week) On-site volunteer positions and Off-site positions for Behavioural and Acoustic data analysts. All positions are unpaid with a minimum commitment of 3-months. Successful candidates receive specific training according to the assigned positions.

What will You learn?
¬ Learn what it takes to work in the field of research
¬ Hands on experience with experimental setup and data analysis
¬ Understanding of animals’ physiology and behaviour
¬ Team work, coordination and independent responsibilities
¬ Research planning and execution
¬ Research communication
¬ Basic foundation for your future career

Qualifications and requirements
On-site volunteers:
• Have a positive attitude and strong willingness to learn 

• Good oral/written communication skills in English 

• Basic computer knowledge 

• Able to work independently as well as in a team 

• Must be responsible for food, accommodation and transportation 

• Past experience with animals is desirable 

• Able to comply with OP volunteer rules and regulations 


Off-site working volunteers – Behavioural data analyst: 

¥ Have a positive attitude and strong willingness to learn 

¥ Self-motivation 

¥ Good oral/written communication skills in English 

¥ Computer knowledge: Excel, Word, QuickTime Player 7, BORIS 

¥ The ideal candidate will have strong attention to details and ability to work precisely 
and accurately 

¥ Able to comply with OP volunteer rules and regulations 


Off-site working volunteers – Acoustic data analyst: 

¥ Have a positive attitude and strong willingness to learn 

¥ Self-motivation 

¥ Good oral/written communication skills in English 

¥ Basic programming knowledge of signal procession and filtering

¥ Experience with MATLAB and Audacity 

¥ The ideal candidate will have strong attention to details and ability to work precisely 
and accurately 

¥ Able to comply with OP volunteer rules and regulations

How to apply? 

To apply please submit the following (same for all positions):
¥ Statement of Interest
¥ Academic Records
¥ Period of Availability
¥ Letters of Reference
¥ Preferred Position
¥ Curriculum Vitae

Starting date: May/June 2020

Please send applications to Ms Eszter Matrai, eszter.matrai@oceanpark.com.hk with "Dolphin Research Volunteer" in the subject line.

Research Department
Ocean Park Corporation

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376635718304431

Spring 2020 Dolphin Research Internship

Savannah State University Dolphin Sciences Laboratory (SSUDS lab) internships

The SSUDS lab is located adjacent to the marsh on the campus of Savannah State University in coastal Georgia and is led by Dr. Tara Cox. The SSUDS lab studies spatial ecology, conservation biology of long-lived marine vertebrates, marine and coastal policy and management, and human interactions with marine mammals. Current projects include: Human-interaction behaviors (particularly begging), stock structure and abundance estimates, catalog matching to other study areas in the SE USA, contaminant loads, and genetics of common bottlenose dolphins.

The SSUDS Lab selects volunteer interns during three seasons each year:
• Winter/Spring (positions January to May, applications due by October 1st);
• Summer (positions May to August, applications due by March 1st);
• Fall (positions August to December, applications due by June 1st).

Interns will support graduate research on common bottlenose dolphins living in the local waterways. There may be additional opportunities to help other marine science graduate students with diverse fieldwork.

The SSUDS lab is currently accepting applications for Spring 2020 interns.
There are 2 positions available. Application deadline is October 1st.

Dates: Jan 6 – May 29 (Start and end dates are flexible)
Location: Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia
Time: Interns are expected to commit to ~30 hours per week, and time will be split between lab and field work. Dolphin surveys will be conducted 2 days per month, with additional surveys in May.

Duties:
Lab duties: photo-identification, data entry and double checking
Field duties: assisting with small boat-based photo-identification surveys including sighting dolphins, recording data, photographing dorsal fins, and measuring environmental variables
Stranding response: although strandings are rare and unpredictable, you may be asked to help with data collection and necropsies
Class: Interns are welcome to sit in on the GIS course taught by Dr. Cox in the spring. Please note that hours spent in class do not count towards lab hours.

Extra Opportunities:
Local Volunteer Opportunities: Previous interns have taken advantage of their spare time to get involved with our network of marine science researchers in Georgia
1) Other SSU Marine Science Program Labs (field and lab research on shrimp, flatfish, oyster restoration, marine chemistry, etc.)
2) Tybee Island Marine Science Center (environmental education)
3) Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
4) GA DNR Non-game Division (cetacean, manatee, and sea turtle research)

Qualifications:
• Minimum age of 18 years old
• Currently or recently enrolled in a college-level program in marine biology, biology, zoology, or related field
• Strong interest in marine mammals, the environment, and conservation
• Computer proficiency, especially MS Office; MS Access and ArcGIS experience a plus
• Excellent verbal communication skills, fluent in English
• Enthusiastic and dedicated, with strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor
• Strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, and attention to detail
• Works well in a team environment as well as individually
• Ability to work long days in the sun/heat/cold on a small boat

To apply please submit the following via email with the subject “SSUDS Internship” to perrtreer@savannahstate.edu. All attached files must be named starting with your last name (e.g. Lastname-SSUDS_application_spring_2020.doc, Lastname-transcript). Please combine your application materials into 1-2 files.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position, how the experience will help you meet your long-term goals, and your dates of availability.
• A resume (or curriculum vitae) describing your relevant training and experience.
• Current academic transcripts (unofficial are sufficient).
• Names and contact information for two references.

International applicants will be considered, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire necessary visas and documentation

This position is unpaid, and interns are responsible for providing their own housing and transport to Savannah, GA. If accepted, we can provide contact information for possible shared housing opportunities with SSU students or other interns.

This is a great opportunity to work with scientists and graduate students in the field and lab while gaining experience with photo-identification and boat-based marine mammal surveys. Savannah State University offers a Master of Science in Marine Sciences; thus, successful interns may have future opportunities for graduate study in the SSUDS lab or other labs in the Marine Sciences Program. For more information about Marine Sciences at SSU please visit: https://www.savannahstate.edu/cost/mar-env-science/marine-science/index.shtml

Robin Perrtree
SSUDS Lab Manager
Marine Sciences Technician
Savannah State University