Internships in Marine Ecology Research & Conservation
Archipelagos’ marine ecology research internships provide an opportunity to join year-round field work, providing you with hands-on experience in data collection across a range of survey methods. Our main area of focus, the Aegean Sea, is one of the most important remaining marine biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean and Europe. Archipelagos’ research is dedicated to addressing data gaps and monitoring ecosystems that are changing to to increasing climate change and anthropogenic activity. These are the prerequisites to enabling effective conservation action. By joining our team, you will be contributing to research devoted to the protection of marine life in the Mediterranean Sea.
Key Projects
Assessing the biodiversity and health of coastal ecosystems. Field data is collected via visual and camera based surveys, monitoring the behavior, presence and environmental conditions of fish, algae and invertebrates.
Experimental replanting of Posidonia oceanica seagrass using environmentally friendly and cost-effective methods aimed to contribute to reversing damage caused to these habitats.
Determining the presence of invasive species, as well as monitoring their distribution and abundance while assessing their impact on native populations.
Mapping of seagrass meadows and coralligenous reefs in the Aegean and northeastern Mediterranean in order to determine distribution and abundance. This is carried out using participatory GIS and boat-based surveys.
Quantifying the capacity of carbon sequestration and oxygen production in Posidonia seagrass meadows using underwater benthic domes. This work analyzes Posidonia at various depths, sites and health statuses.
Assessing the impacts of anthropogenic influence to coastal ecosystems from threatening factors, such as illegal trawling activity and increasing sea temperatures.
Assessing the extent of microplastics distribution on seagrass, sediment, fish and invertebrates as well as the overall impact on individual habitats.
Background
In only a few decades we have witnessed marine ecosystems undergoing continuous change as a result of increasing sea temperatures and anthropogenic stressors. In the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean overall, the forests of our seas, Posidonia seagrass meadows, are constantly destroyed due to human activity. Invasive alien marine species are spreading with variable impacts on ecosystem services and biodiversity. Archipelagos’ Marine Ecology team works to monitor changes in marine habitats and species, as well as bridge key knowledge gaps. This is carried out as part of our daily fight towards the protection of life in our seas.
Your Role
As a marine ecology intern you will contribute to the conservation efforts by joining one of the project groups in which you are responsible to collect data in the field using a broad variety of equipment and methods as well as the analysis of your data during office work. Since Archipelagos aims to sustain a versatile and up to date overview of the different aspects to the local marine ecosystems, you will be able to gain valuable skills and knowledge in a vast array of subtopics. You will be offered the ability to work in a general intern role collaborating on current research topics, or in a specialized intern role contributing to one pre-defined project.
What we offer
We offer an internship at an inspiring institute with experts on applied conservation. You have the opportunity to collect data for writing a thesis, scientific publications or increasing your skill set. Internships normally range from 3 – 12 months, although shorter or longer internship periods may be arranged on a case by case basis . As Archipelagos is a non-profit organisation, the internships we offer are unpaid. Students, recent graduates and researchers are advised to search for possible funding through their universities, via their International Office/ Placement/ Erasmus+ Offices at their Universities or other relevant grant providing organizations in their region, to cover their travel and living costs.
Technical Skills
At least one of the following requirements is needed:
- Working towards or completion of a relevant scientific degree.
- Experience with snorkeling and freediving.
- Data entry.
- Knowledge in the application of statistics, with some experience in a programming language such as R or Python.
- Good knowledge of the marine environment.
- Experience with scientific surveying.
Other Skills
- Fluency in English
- Good communication skills
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment
- Motivation to live in remote places with simple facilities
- Sincere desire to work towards Archipelagos’ conservation efforts
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.
