Call for applications: Marine Megafauna Research Internship at BDRI - August-November 2019
The Marine Megafauna Research Internship program provides the opportunity for highly motivated students (undergraduate and postgraduate) and interested people to work with and learn from a multidisciplinary team of marine mammal scientists, including internationally renowned investigators. The primary aim of our internship program is to train and prepare young scientists to become future leaders in marine mammal science and conservation. The mission of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI, <https://www.thebdri.com>) since 2005 is to contribute to the understanding and conservation of marine mammals and the marine environment in which they live. Our field research experience and commitment to research, education, and conservation make our center an important source of knowledge about marine biodiversity and the environment for scientists, decision-makers, students and the public. Since 2014 the BDRI performs systematic surveys to monitor charismatic marine megafauna (cetaceans, marine birds, sharks, and otters) in one of the most productive oceanic regions in the world (Galician waters, NW Spain). The BDRI office is located in a pleasant research centre located in O Grove, Galicia (NW Spain). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English. The institute and research vessels are equipped with the state-of-the-art technology, and the study area has especially good conditions for marine mammals and marine birds research. The incredible diversity of cetaceans present in these waters (22 different species recorded) allows the BDRI team to have several ongoing research projects focused on the study of the ecology and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, Risso’s dolphins, common dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales, humpback whales, minke whales, sei whales, fin whales, and blue whales. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION - An internship period at the BDRI offers an excellent opportunity for interested and motivated people to obtain field and laboratory experience in marine megafauna (cetaceans, marine birds, and otters) field research methodology and data analysis. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, participants will be trained to get involved with multiple research projects involving a combination of boat-based surveys onboard research vessels, land-based observations, laboratory work (photo-identification, GIS, bioacoustics, diet analysis, diving behaviour, video analysis, database work, etc), and strandings (response, rescue, necropsy, and data collection). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - There are vacancies available from August 15th to November 1st 2019. There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. BDRI internships are not paid and this training experience requires a tuition fee which is used to off-set the cost of training, use of research equipment, facilities and research vessels, shared accommodation, and other expenses. The fee reflects the real world costs and expenses that go into making the research program possible and the BDRI Internship Program worthwhile. BDRI’s reputation for success rests solidly on its ability to carry out studies published in prestigious scientific journals. Scientific articles published by the BDRI team during 2019 (for a full list of publications please visit <https://www.thebdri.com/papers.html> ): - Methion S, Diaz Lopez B (in press) Individual foraging variation drives social organization in bottlenose dolphins. Behavioral Ecology - Diaz Lopez B, Methion S (2019) Habitat drivers of endangered rorqual whales in a highly impacted upwelling region. Ecological Indicators 103, 610 – 616. - Methion B, Díaz López B (2019) First record of atypical pigmentation pattern in fin whale Balaenoptera physalus in the Atlantic Ocean. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms DOI: 10.3354/dao03385 - Diaz Lopez B, Methion S, Giralt Paradell O (2019) Living on the edge: Overlap between a marine predator’s habitat use and fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic waters (NW Spain). Progress in Oceanography 175, 115 – 223. - Methion S, Diaz Lopez B (2019) Natural and anthropogenic drivers of foraging behaviour in bottlenose dolphins: influence of shellfish aquaculture. Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 29(6), 927-937. - Giralt Paradell O, Diaz Lopez B, Methion S, (2019) Modelling common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) coastal distribution and habitat use: insights for conservation. Ocean and Coastal Management 179, 104836. - Diaz Lopez B (2019) "Hot deals at sea": responses of a top predator (Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus) to human-induced changes in the coastal ecosystem. Behavioural Ecology 2(3), 291-300. Bruno Diaz Lopez Ph.D Chief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain www.thebdri.com 0034 684248552 Like us on Facebook: thebdri. Follow us on Instagram: @thebdri. Mention us on Twitter: @thebdri. This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. 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