Marine Mammals Internship at Shoals Marine Laboratory

Summary

Shoals Marine Laboratory Research Program

This important haul out site has allowed for ongoing research on seals in the Isles of Shoals since 2011 including: monitoring abundance estimates, photographic mark-recapture studies, individual and species specific site fidelity, incidence of entanglement and injuries, and distributional and behavioral interactions of the two species.

Marine Mammal Undergraduate Researchers conduct 2-3 boat-based surveys of the Duck Island seal colony each week by photographing all seals along a standardized survey route. Back in the lab, researchers analyze and catalog the digital photos as well as associated behavioral and environmental data. Researchers also work with their mentors to design an independent research project based on archived and/or new data. Skills that students will learn throughout this program include photography, basic vessel-based research skills, marine mammal biology, data interpretation, and scientific data presentation. Researchers will be a part of the larger Shoals Undergraduate Research Group cohort and will participate in weekly discussions and lectures.

Prerequisites:

Appropriate coursework in animal behavior, vertebrate biology, and/or marine mammals is strongly recommended. Interested students should be detail-oriented and comfortable working with data/spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel and other similar programs. Marine Mammal researchers spend several hours each week aboard SML research vessels conducting seal colony surveys, and therefore applicants should be comfortable on boats and at sea. Knowledge of digital photography using high-quality DSLR cameras is ideal. Previous experience at SML is preferred, but not required. Relevant SML courses include: Marine Mammal Biology, Anatomy & Function of Marine Vertebrates, Field Animal Behavior, and the Shoals Research Apprenticeship.

Project Mentors:

Dr. Nadine Lysiak (Assistant Professor, Suffolk University) Dr. Andrea Bogomolni (Postdoctoral Investigator, WHOI) Lisa Sette (Center for Coastal Studies)

Dates: TBD (10 weeks) SML Research Symposium: TBD Stipend: $150/week Includes room & board for 10 weeks, and roundtrip vessel transportation from Portsmouth, NH to Appledore Island. Researchers are responsible for their own transportation to/from Portsmouth, NH at the beginning and end of the program.

Two researchers will be selected.

Job Description

Shoals Marine Laboratory Research Program

This important haul out site has allowed for ongoing research on seals in the Isles of Shoals since 2011 including: monitoring abundance estimates, photographic mark-recapture studies, individual and species specific site fidelity, incidence of entanglement and injuries, and distributional and behavioral interactions of the two species.

Marine Mammal Undergraduate Researchers conduct 2-3 boat-based surveys of the Duck Island seal colony each week by photographing all seals along a standardized survey route. Back in the lab, researchers analyze and catalog the digital photos as well as associated behavioral and environmental data. Researchers also work with their mentors to design an independent research project based on archived and/or new data. Skills that students will learn throughout this program include photography, basic vessel-based research skills, marine mammal biology, data interpretation, and scientific data presentation. Researchers will be a part of the larger Shoals Undergraduate Research Group cohort and will participate in weekly discussions and lectures.

Prerequisites:

Appropriate coursework in animal behavior, vertebrate biology, and/or marine mammals is strongly recommended. Interested students should be detail-oriented and comfortable working with data/spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel and other similar programs. Marine Mammal researchers spend several hours each week aboard SML research vessels conducting seal colony surveys, and therefore applicants should be comfortable on boats and at sea. Knowledge of digital photography using high-quality DSLR cameras is ideal. Previous experience at SML is preferred, but not required. Relevant SML courses include: Marine Mammal Biology, Anatomy & Function of Marine Vertebrates, Field Animal Behavior, and the Shoals Research Apprenticeship.

Project Mentors:

Dr. Nadine Lysiak (Assistant Professor, Suffolk University) Dr. Andrea Bogomolni (Postdoctoral Investigator, WHOI) Lisa Sette (Center for Coastal Studies)

Dates: TBD (10 weeks) SML Research Symposium: TBD Stipend: $150/week Includes room & board for 10 weeks, and roundtrip vessel transportation from Portsmouth, NH to Appledore Island. Researchers are responsible for their own transportation to/from Portsmouth, NH at the beginning and end of the program.

Two researchers will be selected.