10-Mar-19 10:59 AM
URL: http://www.biminisharklab.com/
Affiliation: non-MATE
Company / Organization: Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation - Sharklab
Type: Volunteer Opportunities
City: South Bimini, Bahamas
State or Country if outside US: Bahamas
Duration: 2 - 6 month
Description:

Established & incorporated in 1990 by Dr. Samuel Gruber, the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation (BBFSF) aka Bimini Sharklab is a world-famous facility located on the island of South Bimini, Bahamas. The Sharklab offers subsidised internships to persons 18 or older who wish to learn field research skills. Our approach is to integrate students with active marine scientists from around the globe. We thus support about ten international interns monthly, for periods up to 6 months. Interns experience a unique opportunity to take part in our intensive field research, learning practical and theoretical skills that will enhance their prospects as future scientists. The volunteers live at the station with three full time PhD students and six staff members. The Sharklab depends on the efforts of dedicated volunteers to accomplish our research and the station has hosted over 1000 interns from around the globe since its inception. At BBFS we are seeking general interns who can collect data for our PhD student's projects and assist with the daily running of the station. We also seek project students who undertake normal volunteer activities while completing their own research as part of their undergraduate/graduate project under the guidance of our PhD students. The day-to-day activities of the SharkLab are never the same, there is different work to be done each week and activities can vary seasonally with the presence/ absence of certain species. Some of the activities you may be involved in include: • Assisting the Principle Investigators with data collection/ trials • Aid BBFS Staff and PI's with the capture and scientific workup of a variety of elasmobranch species • Assisting on shallow-water and deep-water scientific long lines to look at abundance and distribution of shark species around Bimini. • Baiting for Great hammerhead sharks (winter season only) • General station maintenance and repair of scientific equipment • Gillnetting for juvenile Lemon Sharks • Fishing for bait • Working with BBFS Staff to educate the public about our research For more information about the on-going research projects and volunteering opportunities offered at BBFSF is available on our website.

Requirements:

The Sharklab is looking for highly motivated, hardy people with a desire to work and gain experience with marine fauna and flora. APPLICANT PROFILE: Essential • Sincere desire to pursue a career involving marine research, conservation or education • Minimum age of 18 at the start of the program • Hardworking and motivated • Comfortable swimming, snorkelling, and being in the water for long periods of time • Able to work long hours in extreme/harsh weather conditions • Comfortable living and working in extremely close quarters • Works well in a team setting with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds • Fluent in English Desirable • Background in science is not necessary but advantageous • Experience working in marine science/conservation is not necessary but highly desirable • Experience working with elasmobranchs is not necessary but highly desirable • Boat driving experience is desirable but not essential • Fishing/spear-fishing experience is desirable but not essential • Practical/ maintenance skills Applicants coming from a non-scientific background but with desirable/advantageous skills will be considered DURATION: A minimum of two months is required for all potential volunteers, however volunteers can also stay for periods of four and six months. The available intake periods are as follows: June 20th 2019, August 15th 2019 and October 15th 2019. Application deadlines vary for each intake period and can be found on our website. VOLUNTEER FEE: Monthly fees of $910 include: Living expenses (shared accommodation and all meals), use of equipment and research boats, and charter flight. To apply please follow the link to our application form on our website. https://www.biminisharklab.com/opportunities/volunteer Applicants will need to fill out the application form in detail, you will also need to provide a CV, cover letter and two letters of recommendation to be attached to your application. Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Point of Contact: Angela Warrior