Research Intern

Interns are required from mid April until mid October 2014. The research season is split into four separate periods of 7 weeks each.

Interns will be based in New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales. Accommodation is provided through rental of a house that interns share at a rate of around £60/pppw. Interns are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required.

Important notes for long-term applications (those applying for more than two periods):

• Those applying for longer periods of time will be able to take on a personal project potentially leading to a publication

Period dates for summer 2014:

Period 3: 14/07 – 31/8, Period 4: 01/09 – 19/10

Important skills/qualifications

Essential:

• an ability to work in a meticulous and reliable manner
• strong commitment to volunteering work
• willingness to work long hours outdoors in often changeable Welsh weather
• good IT skills (Office package)
• an ability to get on well with others in a small team and in shared accommodation

Desirable:

• a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans
• a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar
• prior experience in boat-based survey work
• good verbal and written communication skills and in public speaking
• experience in interacting with the public

All interns will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in boat survey protocols, and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins and grey seals.

Internships with Sea Watch have frequently led to established posts both within the organisation and in other national and international research and conservation bodies, as well as providing a stepping stone for students to undertake doctoral studies in marine mammal science.

The Sea Watch Foundation

The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered 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. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife inhabiting Welsh seas. Our work has been funded over the years by Natural Resources Wales, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Defra and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council.

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.
• Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in the Cardigan Bay SAC primarily through hydrophone data collection.
• Setting up a library of bottlenose dolphin whistles in Welsh waters in order to develop bio-acoustic research in the area.

We further 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.