The Sea Watch Foundation <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/>, a
non-profit organisation dedicated to marine research, conservation, and
public education is seeking applications for the following:
**
*RESEARCH ASSISTANT/INTERN COORDINATOR IN CARDIGAN BAY 2019*
**
This position is responsible for assisting the Monitoring Officer in the
running of the /“Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project”/ and coordinating the
project interns. The project is based in New Quay, Ceredigion, West
Wales, and works towards delivering on the conservation management of
the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of
Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive
success and population structure using a combination of line-transect,
photo-identification, land-based and acoustic surveys.
*Start Date: April 1^st , 2019 End Date: October 27^th , 2019*
*_Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:_*
* Coordination between the Monitoring Officer, Sightings Officer and
project interns – in charge of the intern shared house and the
intern weekly office rota.
* Assisting the Monitoring Officer & Sightings Officer in training
interns and other volunteers in land- and boat-based surveys, photo
ID studies, database entry, and more.
* Assisting the Monitoring Officer in all phases of the research.
* Assisting the Sightings Officer with maintenance of the national
sightings network.
* Optional opportunity to undertake a personal research project
supervised by the Monitoring Officer. Research topic will be chosen
according to Sea Watch Foundation requirements and applicant’s
interests.
*_Requirements:_*
The successful applicant is expected to have completed a BSc degree (or
higher) in biology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, or related field
and able to demonstrate previous experience in marine mammal research. A
strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans and experience are
beneficial.
The applicant should ideally have some experience using DSLR cameras.
Practical experience of photo-identification (both photography and
matching) is desirable. Experience with other equipment regularly used
by Sea Watch Foundation such as hydrophone, theodolite, digiscope and
aerial camera drone is advantageous.
The applicant must be proficient with database and word processing
software and be willing to learn new software applications.
Specific experience in use of Access and GIS would be advantageous.
Knowledge of other relevant software such as PAMGuard or Raven is useful
but not essential.
The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team
player since the project will involve working closely with other
researchers but must also be able to supervise small groups of people
given that they will be coordinating a team of at least 8 interns. The
Research Assistant and interns live and work together daily which
requires a high degree of diplomacy and interpersonal skills to maintain
relationships and team morale. Previous experience working successfully
in similar roles is essential.
Applicants should be aware that they will be assisting in running
ongoing, established research projects that routinely inform government
agencies on the status of cetaceans in the UK and accordingly are
expected to take the internship seriously and prioritise it over
extra-curricular activities. Working in a small NGO environment in a
tight knit team can be a challenging experience and requires a high
degree of flexibility, tolerance and a positive attitude.
Applicants must be self-motivated, with the drive and determination to
work independently and responsibly without direct supervision. The work
load is varied and therefore a high degree of organisation, attention to
detail and ability to prioritise are essential.
If a personal research project is undertaken, this brings the
opportunity to submit work for scientific publication, and for
presentation at the European Cetacean Society Conference. However, this
is a challenging position and it is up to the Research Assistant to
pursue project work while not prioritising it over existing tasks.
The Research Assistant is expected to work 6 days a week with office
hours running from 9AM to 6PM with an hour lunch break. Field work
regularly falls outside of office hours, particularly land-based watches
which take place throughout the day in two hours shifts from 7AM to 9PM.
Line transect surveys are all day surveys and will typically start in
the early morning hours and run for at least 8 hours. The Research
Assistant is also entitled to one week’s holiday during the season, the
dates of which should be agreed upon at the start of placement if possible.
*This position is unpaid but (shared) accommodation will be provided in
the intern house free of charge. *
**
The Research Assistant will be responsible for their own travel expenses
to New Quay for the 2019 field season. Due to the touristic background
of New Quay, part-time paid evening work is generally easy to find if
required by the applicant. There are a number of external organisations
that may offer grants to partially cover living expenses (see below).
International applications are welcome, but it is the applicant’s
responsibility to ensure visa requirements are met and the chosen visa
option should be highlighted in the application form.
*To apply:*
Please send your CV and application form, with a cover letter and
contact details of two referees, reporting any relevant experience you
have, to Katrin Lohrengel- _*katrin.lohren...@seawatchfoundation.org.uk*_
*Deadline: 11th January 2019*.
Please specify RESEARCH ASSISTANT/INTERN COORDINATOR in your subject title.
Successful applicants will be notified of the outcomes by 10^th February
2019.
**
*Potential funding sources to support your internship with Sea Watch *
**
SWF is aware that undertaking unpaid work can be challenging. However,
as a relatively small charity it is currently not able to offer
compensation for internships. However, there are some outside funding
bodies that may be able to help you fund your internship. If you are
accepted for an internship, we are happy to provide letters to support
your funding application.
If you are a current student or recent graduate it is worth checking
whether your university offers financial support for students
undertaking field work related to their degree subject.
This site offers a comprehensive list of potential grants to apply for:
Gap Year Funding list
https://www.originalvolunteers.co.uk/volunteer-abroad-grants-gap-year-funding-list+
*About the Sea Watch Foundation*
The Sea Watch Foundation is a national marine environmental research
charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins
in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in
scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. It is
the longest-running research charity in UK focusing upon cetaceans
around the British Isles, and maintains a national sightings database,
the largest in Europe. It works closely with all the UK statutory
conservation agencies, and advises UK government, the UNEP Regional
intergovernmental Conservation Agreement - ASCOBANS, the European
Commission, as well as the major conservation charities and marine
industries operating in the UK.
At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and
conservation of the marine wildlife of the region. Our work is funded by
the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, the Joint Nature Conservation
Committee, and Environment Wales; and we work closely with the local
management authority, Ceredigion County Council.
Internships with Sea Watch have frequently led to established posts in
national and international research and conservation bodies, as well as
providing a stepping stone for students to undertake doctoral studies in
marine mammal science.
*Public awareness*
**We aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the
local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage
respect and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future
generations. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean
identification and survey methods.
A list of recent of recent awareness and education achievements is given
below:
* Sea Watch Director, Peter Evans, received the European Cetacean
Society Conservation Award, 2012
* Sea Watch Foundation was recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS “Outreach
and Education Award”, 2009
* Sea Watch Foundation was voted best UK animal adoption scheme by BBC
Wildlife, December 2008
*Research*
The purpose of our research here is to monitor the marine mammal
populations inhabiting Cardigan Bay, so as to gain information to aid
the conservation and long-term well being of these animals and the local
marine environment. This is achieved by conducting various projects
including:
* Estimating the abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins,
harbour porpoises and grey seals within Cardigan Bay using distance
sampling and opportunistic boat surveys
* Maintaining and updating a catalogue of photographically identified
bottlenose dolphins in Wales in order to study their abundance,
social structure, movements and life histories.
--
Dr Chiara Giulia Bertulli
Sightings Officer
Sea Watch Foundation
+44 (0) 1545 561227
www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk
ResearchGate
www.researchgate.net/profile/Chiara_Bertulli/contributions
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