The Sea Watch Foundation is seeking a Research and Intern Assistant for the 2025 season at its new field office in Anglesey, North Wales, to engage in an exciting new citizen science initiative to engage local communities and visitors in observing and recording marine mammals and birds around Caernarfon Bay. This work will entail marine mammal and seabird surveys from land and boats, public engagement and research work.
This position will suit a volunteer who has a strong interest in marine conservation and recognises the importance of raising awareness of the marine environment by involving the public from all age groups. This position can be very varied, so applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to deal with varied tasks from overseeing research interns, public outreach to boat based survey and scientific data collection. They will be encouraged to take initiatives and support the Project Lead and Outreach Officer I all aspect of the work, as well as with education & outreach activities in the region which due to its natural beauty receives large numbers of visitors during the summer.
The assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
- Overseeing the activities of the team of up to six interns resident at any one time, with support from the Project Manager
- Overseeing upkeep of the accommodation and office spaces
- Supporting the Project Manager and Outreach Officer in their roles
- Supporting the research interns in their work and reporting progress to the Project Manager
- Delivering training to research interns once confident enough to do so
- Raising Sea Watch Foundation’s profile locally (organising events, talking to the public, liaising with local stakeholders to develop further internship activities)
- Undertaking marine mammal and seabird surveys from land and participating in boat-based surveys
- Engaging with local communities, encouraging and training citizen scientists to collect data on marine mammals and seabirds
- Promoting and organising the National Whale and Dolphin Watch education and outreach activities
- Preparing data outputs and summaries
- Participating in presentations and creating activities to take to local schools/groups, as well as using our specialised talks at local events
- Creating educational/promotional materials (posters, displays, flyers)
- Social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blogs, website) on a routine basis
- Participating in training courses in Anglesey and Gwynedd
- Representing Sea Watch at public events around Anglesey and Gwynedd
- Training and supervision will be provided by the Project Manager for the duration of their stay.
The field season will run from March to October and for Research Interns it has been split into periods of 6 weeks. Typical office hours are from 10:00am to 17:00 pm, 5 days a week, working days will be a mixture of weekdays and weekends. Ideally our RIA will stay for the whole season, however if not possible, the role can be split into 2 sessions.
RIA sessions for summer 2025:
1st Session: 31st March – 20th July
2nd Session: 20th July – 5th November
The assistant will be based on the Bodorgan Estate, Anglesey. Accommodation will be provided rent free in a house shared with the Research Interns. The assistant will have their own room with a double bed and is responsible for their own travel and living costs. Utility bills for this post will be covered by the project.
International applications are welcome, but it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure visa requirements are met and we ask applicants to highlight their chosen visa option in their application. Please note that Sea Watch Foundation is unable to sponsor visa applications for Research Interns.
Important skills/qualifications
Essential:
- A strong interest in marine conservation and education
- A background in marine biology/environmental science or similar
- The ability to delegate, get on well with others in a small team and within shared accommodation
- Outgoing personality, confidence and experience in public awareness
- Some experience of working with children/young people
- Excellent verbal and writing skills and some experience of public speaking
- Must have initiative, motivation, the ability to bring their own ideas and personality to the position and be able to think on your feet
- Strong commitment to volunteering work
- One’s own transport (travel costs within the project will be covered)
- Ability to work independently, in an organised and reliable manner and to manage a variable workload.
- Should always represent SWF professionally
- Ability to work and live cooperatively with other volunteers in an isolated location
- Good IT skills (Office package)
Desirable:
- A strong interest and some knowledge of British marine mammals and birds
- Experience with R Studio & QGIS
- Experience with creating social media content
- Willingness to work long hours, sometimes outdoors in very changeable Welsh weather
- Ability to speak Welsh
- Experience with DSLR cameras
- Experience with boat handling and boat survey work
To apply please send:
- Your CV
- A cover letter outlining:
– Why you would like to apply
– The skills that you will bring to the project
– Any medical or physical conditions you have so we can advise you on any precautions you may need to take during fieldwork or anything that we can support you with
– Contact details of two referees
– Whether you are applying for the whole season or one session only (please state which session)
Please send all the above to:
Elan Jones (Outreach Officer) – elan.jones@seawatchfoundation.org.uk
Deadline: 2nd February 2025
Please specify “RESEARCH AND INTERN ASSISTANT APPLICATION” in your subject title.
If you are a student at Bangor University you may be eligible for financial support towards the costs from the Work Experience Support Bursary Fund. To find out more information, please complete an Expression of Interest form and mention “Seawatch” in question 15.
Applicants will be interviewed via Zoom.
