- Agency
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab
- Location
- Dauphin Island, Alabama, USA
- Job Category
- Internships
- Salary
- Biweekly stipend of $1000
- Start Date
- 04/01/2023
- Last Date to Apply
- 03/20/2023
- Website
- https://forms.gle/sEr82ejy9XrCroZe7
- Description
- The full announcement can also be viewed at https://www.disl.edu/about/employment DESCRIPTION/PURPOSE The Alabama Center of Excellence (ALCoE, www.alcoe.disl.edu) housed at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), located on Dauphin Island, Alabama, is soliciting applications for three (3) Marine Science Interns to help conduct ecosystem-based monitoring along the Northern Gulf of Mexico under Drs. John Valentine and Ken Heck. The positions will begin as early as April and end December 15, 2023. The start date is flexible with preferred start dates between April 1, 2023 and May 15, 2023. Interns will assist with exploring how connectivity between coastal habitat types influences biodiversity and secondary production. Interns will also assist with research that is conducted in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution’s Marine Global Earth Observatory (MarineGEO) Network. Interns may also assist with other monitoring projects led by Dr. Heck, including submerged aquatic vegetation restoration and coastal habitat monitoring, including marsh and living shoreline monitoring. Interns will receive training in fish and invertebrate sampling techniques and identification, and SAV and marsh identification and monitoring techniques. There may also be opportunities to learn other ecological field sampling techniques (oyster reef monitoring, fisheries sampling, and analytical methods) in a variety of marine environments. The work will be performed in a laboratory and outdoors. Laboratory work will involve long periods of sitting while sorting samples for invertebrate epifauna, looking through a microscope to identify and enumerate invertebrate epifauna, and entering data. Outdoor work (i.e., field work) will often involve long field days (>8 hours), possible exposure to adverse weather conditions (heat, rain, cold), and biting insects. Laboratory work will primarily occur from Spring to early Summer (April - July) while field work will primarily occur during late Summer and Fall (August - November). The work requires physical exertion such as lifting or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data; or in some situations snorkeling and working off of a small (<25’) boat. Interns may need to lift heavy items (e.g., field gear up to 25 pounds) on a routine basis. For more information about the ALCoE, please visit www.alcoe.disl.edu For more information about Dr. Kenneth Heck and Dr. John Valentine, please visit their bios at https://www.disl.edu/about/faculty/kheck and https://www.disl.edu/about/faculty/jvalentine Experience (although not necessary), as well as enthusiasm about marine research, are important aspects of a rewarding internship. This is a great opportunity for hands-on training in the field and laboratory. RESPONSIBILITIES: Process samples in the lab, including, but not limited to, sorting and identifying epibenthic and infaunal organisms, processing seagrass shoots samples, and processing sediment samples. Participate in field-based activities to assist with intensive, hypothesis-driven monitoring of critical nursery habitats, such as seagrass and marsh, in coastal Alabama. Collaborate with other members of the lab group, including, but not limited to, the ALCoE Postdoctoral Marine Scholar and Lead Technician, and members of the labs of Drs. John Valentine and Ken Heck. Perform other general lab duties.
- Qualifications
- Undergraduate Degree in Marine Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, Oceanography, Engineering, or closely related field (<2 year post undergraduate degree preferred). Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Positions are open to U.S. citizens and residents only.
- Contact Person
- Dr. Shayna Sura - ssura@disl.org
