Mossel Bay Marine Lab Internship, Oceans Research

Interns attending the Mossel Bay Marine Lab will gain practical training skills in the following areas. In addition, a number of additional opportunities will be available for interns to partake in on arrival at the laboratory.

• Assisting in running research vessels
• Tagging and genetic sampling of white sharks
• Manual acoustic tracking of white sharks
• Recording and entering behavioural data of free swimming white sharks
• White shark and bottlenose dolphin photo identification
• Surveys of wounded and entangled seals on Seal Island
• Shore and boat based observations of seal/shark interactions and seal movement patterns
• Recording and entering behavioural data of free swimming Whales and Dolphins
• Land based surveys of Whales and Dolphins
• Assisting in managing and running The Shark Lab, (Oceans Research´s aquarium and research facility)
• Aquarium based research projects including tonic immobilisation
• Boat based CTD studies and data collection

Availability

Application information

Oceans Research offers interns the opportunity to get in-depth field experience in one of the world´s most exciting and challenging marine research projects.

The internship program is aimed at assisting in the development of students training in the area of biological science. However, we willingly invite applications from all students and enthusiasts who have a passion for the oceans and want to extend their knowledge through real life experience.

Participants will be required to enroll for a minimum of one month.

Application Process

1. Complete the below enquiry form.

2. Our administrative manager will then forward you the application form.

3. Forward your completed application form along with a photograph of yourself and your curriculum vitae.

Submit your enquiry

Your name:	Your email address:
Phone Number:	Your University:
Please use the following box to tell us more about yourself, including the Marine labs you are interested in interning at:

Eligibility?

The internship program is aimed at assisting in the development of students training in the area of biological science. However, we willingly invite applications from all students and enthusiasts who have a passion for the oceans and want to extend their knowledge through real life experience.

• Current students enrolled in academic institutes and studying towards a science major;
• Graduated scientists with a minimum of a B.Sc. (or equivalent) with a scientific major;
• Exceptional naturalists who can show a ‘real world’ dedication to research, management or conservation of animals or ecosystems.

For how long?

Mossel Bay Marine Lab - Interns will be asked to stay for a minimum of one month and maximum of four months (in exceptional cases shorter or longer internships will be considered at some research stations). If attending multiple laboratories, interns will be required to stay a minimum of one month at each laboratory. If you are interested in applying for postgraduate study, an initial internship period of three months is required.

Where?

• Mossel Bay Marine Lab - Mossel Bay, South Africa - a coastal town located approximately 400 kilometres from Cape Town.

Flights?

• Mossel Bay Marine Lab - Travel arrangements must be made from your home town to Cape Town International Airport or O.R Tambo International Airport, and from there to George Airport in South Africa.

Arrival dates and arrangments:

Mossel Bay Marine Lab - Pick-ups and drop-offs from George Airport will be organised for the 1st of the month. Interns that arrive or depart outside these dates will be required to arrange transport from the airport to the Campus at their own cost. Domestic flights within South Africa can be easily arranged one of the following companies: www.kulula.com; www.1time.com; www.flysaa.com.

Cost?

Scholarships: Please note we are currently offering a special rate scholarship on our Mossel Bay Marine Lab Internship. Applicants to the internship during March, April or May 2013 will receive a R3000 Scholarship on their total cost.

Cost Includes:

• Your transfer from the airport to the Oceans Campus upon arrival, and back to the airport upon departure (please refer to information on ‘Arrival dates and arrangements’)
• Food for your entire stay: 3 meals per day at the Campus restaurant
• Accommodation: the rooms will be shared with other students (genders will be separated), or on request we can provide private or semi-private accommodation
• All practical and theoretical training
• All project transport
• Soft SCUBA equipment

Other services provided by external companies will be available at additional costs (please enquire if you are interested in any of these activities):

• Internet
• Private or semi-private accommodation
• SCUBA diving training (any level)
• Laundry
• Excursions
• Extra food and beverages

Depending on the applicant’s habits and lifestyle, we usually suggest adding to their monthly budget about 4000 to 6000 South African Rand for souvenirs, excursions, entertainment and other personal daily needs.

Can I cancel or change the dates of the internship?

Cancellations prior to 6 months before internship begins are accepted without cancellation fee (deposit will be refunded in full). Cancellations between 6 and 3 months before the start of the internship will be charged a penalty of 25% (75% refund of deposit). Cancellations that are done between 1 and 3 months before the start of the internship will include a 50% refund. Cancellations done less than one month before the start of the internship will only receive a 25% refund. Please note that all refunds will be charged a 3.5% administration fee. We would appreciate it if you could let us know of any changes or cancellations as soon as you are aware of these, so that we are able to welcome another applicant. The reason for this drastic cancellation charge is that it will then be too late to contact, organise and welcome another potential applicant on such short notice.

Do I need a VISA?

No. You will not be employed by the institute nor paid. As a research internship you are volunteering and entitled to enter on a temporary visitors permit (e.g. tourism permit). Tourist visiting visas are usually issued for three months/90 days upon entry in South Africa. However, we do recommend that you contact the South African Embassy or Consulate in your country and confirm this fact. If your application period is for a period longer than three months, or if you plan to travel in South Africa prior to or after your internship for a period extending 90 days, you will have to apply for a Tourist / Volunteer VISA through your home embassy.

Any foreign person coming to South Africa for 90 days or less for training or internship purposes must enter the country on a 90 day visitor’s VISA, and their VISA must be endorsed with a Section 11(2) Endorsement. This stamp must also state in writing (written by hand) that they are permitted to do the specific activity (for example UNPAID INTERNSHIP WORK). In order for this to be organised Oceans Research will need a clearly scanned copy of your passport along with your application, and your complete flight itinerary at least a month before arrival.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, you will need travel and medical insurance.

Do I need any specific vaccination or medication before coming to southern Africa?

No, the Oceans Campus is far from Malaria areas, and there are no strange African diseases which you can pick up (that is if you respect the same safety rules as anywhere else in the world).

What do I need to bring?

Some old jeans; tops and shoes/boots to use on the boat; warm clothing; a wind breaker jacket; good waterproof clothing; factor 30+ sun block and a wide brim hat; polarised sunglasses (allows you to see through the water better); diving certification, and/or skippering licence, and/or VHF certificate (in case you have). Bed sheets will be provided. You may either bring a towel and a face cloth or buy in southern Africa. It is adviced to use wetsuits of at least 5mm since dives sometimes involve diving below the thermocline.

Do we have weekends off?

For most part of each weekend, yes. On some weekends interns will have opportunities to go out on excursions organised by Oceans Campus.

Can I dive with Great White sharks or dive recreationally?

The internship project is not a white shark cage diving trip, nor a holiday, and cage diving is not part of the internship program at Mossel Bay Marine Lab. Nevertheless, we can try to organize a cage dive with the commercial operator if time and conditions allow it (this will be at an interns own cost).

How can I get more information?

We have created a Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/269121059772499/) for prospective, past and present interns to network, share experiences and help with orientation to the Oceans Research internship program. Please take the time to join the group, engage and question our past interns, and learn as much as you can about life at Oceans Research and the NDP. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you have further questions about the internship program please drop a note to research@oceans-campus.com.