Internships in Terrestrial Research & Conservation
An internship with the Archipelagos terrestrial team provides you with a unique opportunity to join year-round terrestrial fieldwork. You will gain experience employing various data collection methods for several different projects. The terrestrial team has various ongoing conservation projects focusing on the numerous species of terrestrial animals that inhabit the island of Samos and its unique ecosystems. By joining our team, you will directly aid Archipelagos in researching the different fauna and flora that make up the rich biodiversity of Samos. By gaining knowledge on this biodiversity, composition of species, animal behaviour, etc., we will be able to effectively put conservation measures into place.
Key Projects
Monitoring of terrestrial mammals on Samos in order to gain insights into their behaviour and ecology. Archipelagos’ terrestrial team conducts field-based studies using camera traps and acoustic methods. Target species include the golden jackal, wild boar, beech martens, and least weasels.
Assessing biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians through visual observation surveys. Abundance is monitored for numerous species including Mediterranean chameleons, Caspian whip snakes, Balkan terrapins, and tree frogs.
Gathering biodiversity data on birds and sediment-dwelling macroinvertebrates inhabiting a unique salt marsh habitat.
Assessing biodiversity of insects through visual observation surveys. Abundance is monitored for numerous species including dragonflies, butterflies, moths, and beetles, along with other brackish and freshwater species.
Monitoring protected bird species, their behaviour, distribution, abundance, and migration patterns. Key species of interest include different species of owl, the greater flamingo, ruddy shelduck, Eleonora’s falcon, Audouin’s gull, and numerous other migratory species.
Background
The islands of the Aegean host some of the most pristine and extensive insular terrestrial habitats in the Mediterranean, being home to over 1,500 plant species. The heterogeneity of these landscapes combined with the mild climate and close proximity to the Anatolian mainland has contributed to high levels of biodiversity and endemism. Samos in particular supports key populations of the Mediterranean chameleons, golden jackals, many species of rare migratory birds, and more. Archipelagos aims to protect terrestrial species on the Aegean islands by focusing on the island of Samos. Here, we study terrestrial wildlife to gain knowledge on how to effectively protect all of these fragile ecosystems.
Your Role
Our projects provide fieldwork and hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students who are looking to gain experience outside the lecture hall. Interns have the opportunity to work in a general intern role focusing on collaborations for current research topics, or they can work in a specialised intern role contributing to one pre-defined project with the ultimate goal of producing a thesis and/or scientific publications. The skills and expertise acquired through an internship at Archipelagos’ terrestrial team are useful towards a professional career in environmental, ecological and/or zoological research and conservation fields.
What We Offer
We offer an internship at an inspiring institute that features a multidisciplinary team of experts. You will have the opportunity to work with our scientific equipment during surveys, collect data for writing a thesis or scientific publications, and increase your skill set within the field of terrestrial ecology and conservation. We recommend internship durations of three months or longer. Shorter internship periods are possible depending on personal preference and motivation. As Archipelagos is a non-profit research institute, the internships we offer are unpaid. The internship requires a weekly fee to cover living (e.g. housing, three meals a day, public liability insurance, and research facilities). Students, recent graduates, and researchers are advised to search for possible funding through their universities by getting in touch with their university’s International/Placement/Erasmus+ Office or with other relevant grant-providing organisations in their region.
Required Technical Skills
- A relevant in-progress or completed scientific degree
- Data entry, field skills, and the capacity for accurate and consistent data collection/analysis
- Knowledge in the application of statistics, with some experience in a programming language such as R or Python
- Good knowledge of terrestrial ecology and wildlife
- Experience with scientific surveying
- Experience with academic writing
Other Required Skills
- Fluency in English
- Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
- Motivation to live in remote places that feature simple facilities
- A sincere desire to work towards Archipelagos’ conservation goals
To apply for this internship click ‘Apply Now!’ and follow subsequent steps! For any questions please contact our admissions team
at – admissions@archipelago.gr – and we will get back to you within 2 working days.
