Overview:
Through its post-graduate program Sharklife aims to augment its research goals by connecting with a global network of upcoming scientists. Projects are conservation focused, designed to fill knowledge gaps and inform management policies. This program is best suited to early career marine biologists looking to write a scientific report or thesis on a shark or ray project, publishing the work is optional but encouraged. This is a great opportunity to gain all round project experience from conception to data collection, analysis and write-up. You will have the full support of our experienced team to conduct the field work and you will be given training on any software (EventMeasure, QGIS) that may be relevant to the project.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
- Have a bachelors degree in marine biology or equivalent
- Be self motivated and well organized
- Good leadership skills (communication, delegation, empathy)
- Confident swimming ability and recent diving medical
- Advanced scuba certification (only if project method requires diving)
- CV with references
- Minimum 3 month commitment
Projects:
Projects fall under the broader scope of the Sharklife Elasmobranch Assessment Study (see full outline here), there are numerous studies for development, so depending on your area of interest a project topic can be outlined and and available data assessed.
Current Projects:
| Working Title: | Student Name: | Level: | Institution: | Primary Method: |
| Investigating the influence of abiotic parameters on sightings of Carcharhinus humani in the Sodwana Diving Restricted Zone. |
Nico Booyens | Honors | UKZN | Mono Bruvs |
|
Elasmobranch species abundance and diversity (iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Area 1) |
Laylaa Sampaio | MSc | UKZN | Stereo Bruvs |
|
Influence of habitat and depth in elasmobranch communities (iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Area 2) |
Jessica Ferrera | MSc | Univ. Aveiro | Stereo Bruvs |
|
Habitat associations and seasonal abundance of elasmobranchs (iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Area 1/2) |
Julie Alberts | MSc | Univ. Miami | Stereo Bruvs |
|
Movement and Distribution patterns of ragged-tooth sharks (iSimangaliso Wetland Park) |
Sara Cerqueira | MSc | Univ. Aveiro | UVC/Stereo DOV |
|
Abundance and population structure of stingrays (myliobatiformes) (iSimangaliso Wetland Park) |
Silvia Leva | MSc | Univ. Millano | UVC/Stereo DOV |
|
To describe the ecology and population dynamics of non-nesting sea turtles. (iSimangaliso Wetland Park) |
Natalie Dos Santos | MSc | NMU | UVC/RUV |
|
Sightings and population dynamics of manta rays (iSimangaliso Wetland Park) |
Michelle Carpenter | PhD | UCT | UVC/RUV |
| Working Title: | Student Name: | Level: | Institution: | Primary Method: |
|
Elasmobranch species abundance and diversity. Deploying 50 stereo bruvs across a 15km area 15-30m depth range (iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Area 3) |
TBC | TBC | TBC | Stereo Bruvs |
|
Elasmobranch species abundance and diversity. Deploying 50 stereo bruvs across a 15km area 15-30m depth range (iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Area 4) |
TBC | TBC | TBC | Stereo Bruvs |
|
Elasmobranch species abundance and diversity. Deploying 50 stereo bruvs across a 15km area 15-30m depth range (iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Area 5) |
TBC | TBC | TBC | Stereo Bruvs |
Program Dates:
Depending on your project and data collection requirements you will need between 3 - 6 months. Start dates will be dependent on your studies seasonality requirements and will typically be at the beginning of a calendar month.
Costs:
As with many training and experience building programs there are costs involved. This program is aimed at early career marine biologists looking not just for an internship or training program, but rather for the opportunity to produce a scientific report or thesis that they can use to kickstart their careers and get ahead of many other applicants in the field.
3 Month - $3995 USD ($332 p/w)
4 Month - $5295 USD ($330 p/w)
5 Month - $6595 USD ($330 p/w)
6 Month - $5995 USD ($250 p/w)
Included:
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation - Private room
- Dive gear
- On-site supervisor and mentor
- Office and communication expenses
- Data collection field trips and support
- Basic research equipment (gopros, bruv stations, temp loggers, current meters, etc)
Excluded:
- Scuba Courses: (PADI OW $350 or PADI ADV $250)
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Meals *
- Vaccinations
- Weekend Activities: These can be scuba diving or field trips
*Meals - The research accommodation has a fully equipped kitchen to prepare your meals and there are daily trips to the supermarket where you can purchase food. Alternatively, there is a restaurant on site where you can order lunch and dinner from a large menu.
Would you like to conduct a project with us? let us know! Give us 24hrs to respond
