The Sea Watch Foundation is seeking Research Interns and a Research and Intern Assistant for the 2024 season at its new field office on Anglesey, North Wales, to join us in an exciting new citizen science initiative to engage local communities and visitors in observing and recording marine mammals and birds as part of the Wellbeing for our Seas/Er Llesiant ein Môr project. This work will entail marine mammal and seabird surveys from land and boats, public engagement and research work.
Research Interns
This position will suit volunteers who have a strong interest in marine conservation, are comfortable in a rural location and recognise 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 public outreach to boat based survey and scientific data collection. They will be encouraged to take initiatives with education & outreach activities in the region which due to its natural beauty receives large numbers of visitors during the summer.
The interns will be responsible for the following duties:
- Raising Sea Watch Foundation’s profile locally (organising events, talking to the public, liaising with local stakeholders)
- Carrying out surveys of marine mammals and seabirds in the area of SW Anglesey and Caernarfon Bay, undertaking watches 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
- Participating in presentations and creating activities to take to local schools/groups, as well as using our specialised talks at local events
- Assisting in the creation of educational/promotional materials (posters, displays, flyers)
- Participating in training courses in Anglesey and Gwynedd
- Representing the Sea Watch Foundation at public events around Anglesey and Gwynedd
- Training and supervision will be provided by the project staff for the duration of the interns stay.
The field season will run from April to November 2024 and for Research Interns it has been split into periods of 5 and a half weeks. The interns will be based on the Bodorgan Estate, Anglesey. Accommodation will be provided rent free in a house shared with the other interns and the Intern Coordinator. The interns are responsible for their own travel and living costs including utility bills (£40 per week).
Research Intern periods for summer 2024:
Period 1: 10 April – 19 May
Period 2: 22 May – 30 June
Period 3: 3 July – 11 August
Period 4: 14 August – 22 September
Period 5: 25 September – 1 November
Important skills/qualifications
Essential:
- a strong interest in marine conservation and education
- outgoing personality, confidence
- excellent verbal and writing skills
- ability to work and live cooperatively with other volunteers in an isolated location
- 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
- work independently, in an organised and reliable manner and to manage a variable workload.
- the ability to get on well with others in a small team and within shared accommodation
- should always represent SWF professionally
Desirable:
- a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar
- a strong interest and some knowledge of British marine mammals and birds
- good IT skills (Office package)
- willingness to work long hours, sometimes outdoors in very changeable Welsh weather
- one’s own transport (travel costs within the project will be covered)
- Welsh language
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.
To apply:
Please send your CV and a cover letter reporting any relevant experience you have and outlining why you would like to apply, specifying the period(s) for which you would prefer to volunteer, as well as contact details of two referees,to:
Jenny Bond (Project Manager) jenny.bond@seawatchfoundation.org.uk and
Prof. Peter GH Evans (SWF Director) – peter.evans@bangor.ac.uk
Deadline: Midnight 28th January 2024
Please specify “ANGLESEY RESEARCH INTERN APPLICATION” in your subject title.
Applicants will be interviewed via Zoom
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Research and Intern Assistant
This position will suit a volunteer who has strong leadership skills, an 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 other interns to data management and survey work. They will be encouraged to take the lead to support the Project Manager and Outreach Officer in all aspects of the project.
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)
- Developing surveys of marine mammals and seabirds in the area of SW Anglesey and Caernarfon Bay, undertaking watches 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
- 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
- Interacting with the media (radio, TV and newspapers), including preparing press releases
- 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 10th April to 1st November 2024 and for Research Interns it has been split into periods of 5 weeks. Our Research and Intern Assistant will ideally stay the whole season and will be based on the Bodorgan Estate, Anglesey. Accommodation will be provided rent free in a house shared with the Research Interns. The Research and Intern Assistant will have their own room with double bed and is responsible for their own travel and living costs (travel costs for project purposes will be reimbursed). Utility bills for this post will be covered by the project.
Important skills/qualifications
Essential:
- a strong interest in marine conservation and education
- the ability to delegate, get on well with others in a small team and within shared accommodation
- one’s own transport (travel costs within the project will be covered)
- 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
- experience with postings on social media
- 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
- 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
Desirable:
- a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar
- a strong interest and some knowledge of British marine mammals and birds
- Ability to speak Welsh
- good IT skills (Office package)
- willingness to work long hours, sometimes outdoors in very changeable Welsh weather
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.
To apply:
Please send your CV and a cover letter reporting any relevant experience you have, as well as contact details of two referees,to:
Jenny Bond (Project Manager) jenny.bond@seawatchfoundation.org.uk and
Prof. Peter GH Evans (SWF Director) – peter.evans@bangor.ac.uk
Deadline: Midnight 28th January 2024.
Please specify “Research and Intern Assistant application” in your subject title.
Applicants will be interviewed via Zoom.
