Interested in getting yourself fully immersed in the manta madness that the Maldives has to offer?

Well the opportunity has now arrived – The Manta Trust is excited to announce that applications for an internship with the Maldivian Manta Ray Project in 2020 are now open! For three months, you will be involved in collecting vital data on the world’s largest-known population of reef manta rays, working and learning from researchers running one of the best-known manta research projects. The position will give you first-hand experience of working as a manta scientist; operating from our dedicated research vessel, interns will cruise the atoll in search of mantas, and potential new aggregation sites. All data collected will contribute to the database we have built up for over a decade and will be used to inform both local communities and government officials to ensure protective measures are met for the successful conservation of manta rays and other megafauna.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be able to commit to one of two 3-month periods (1st June – 31st August, or 1st September – 30th November). Applicants that are flexible and able to commit to either period will be preferred.
• Due to visa requirements, applicants must have successfully completed a BSc degree in Marine Biology/ Environmental Conservation, or a related field, and be able to provide academic certificates and transcripts.
• Minimum PADI Dive Master certification in active status (SSI/BSAC equivalent). Please give details of diving experience and number of dives logged. Whilst diving is not a common activity for an intern, applicants without this diving qualification will NOT be considered.
• Excellent swimming/snorkelling skills. A demonstrated ability to comfortably free-dive to at least 5m. You will spend a lot of time snorkelling down beneath manta rays to get photos of their ID spot patterns.
• Physically fit – it is likely you will spend 4+ hours a day, 6 days a week swimming in the ocean. Mantas love to be uncooperative, and when conditions are rough/there is a current, it can be physically demanding.
• A strong interest in manta rays, conservation and marine/environmental research.
• Computer literate and comfortable working long hours at a desk. After a long day at sea, interns will be expected to spend 3 hours+ in the afternoon/evenings processing ID photo data in the office with the other researchers.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (additional languages desirable).
• Excellent guest relation and communication skills. Comfortable with public speaking and giving presentations.
• Self-motivated individual with a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude with a flexible approach to a diverse workload;
• The ability to live and work as part of a small team in a multi-national, small & remote island resort environment, in an Islamic country in the tropics.

Equipment Requirements:

• Personal Laptop with photo editing software (e.g. Lightroom)
• Dropbox Plus Subscription (minimum 1TB storage space)
• Camera equipment (incl. underwater housing and SD cards) – GoPro’s are not recommended

Inclusions & Exclusions:

• All food, shared accommodation and internal flight transfers will be covered.
• The position is voluntary and thus NOT paid – you must bring your own ‘pocket money’.
• International flight expenses to/from Malé International Airport must be borne by the intern
• Interns will be required to take out their own insurance cover, including but not limited to, travel and personal liability insurance.

If you are interested, and meet all requirements please send your CV/resume (maximum two pages), and a covering letter (maximum one page) to baa@mantatrust.org, quoting the reference above and your name in the email title e.g. ‘Internship Application #MMRP2020 Joe Bloggs’. Please also specify which of the two internship periods you are available to join, and if you have a preference. 

This is an extremely popular and highly competitive opportunity, so really try and impress us if you want to stand out! It should also be highlighted that completion of this internship may present the opportunity to work with the Manta Trust in the future. We look forward to reading your application.

Deadline: 9th February 2020 @ Midnight (00:00) GMT