While doing an internship, students have the opportunity to carry out a personal research project, as part of their bachelor or master degree. The BDRI offers a limited number of independent studies to advanced undergraduate and graduate students (you can find a list of the previous master and bachelor projects carried at the institute here). We do not confer degrees but rather provide a research environment including a fully equipped and staffed laboratory, accommodation, and training in the field under the mentorship of experienced marine scientists. This program is particularly well suited for students who are considering an advanced degree in marine mammal science, ecology, marine biology, ocean science and related fields.

 

Different thesis projects are carried out in a dynamic, international, and competitive research environment (i.e. we use the term “thesis” synonymously with “dissertation” and “report”). The main research topics of the BDRI include marine mammal ecology, ethology, ecological modelling and bioacoustics (on dolphins, porpoises, baleen whales and otters in Atlantic waters), with focus on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in different parts of the world (Mediterranean and Atlantic waters), as well as marine bird ecology. Highly motivated bachelor and master students in the fields of zoology, marine biology, veterinary and related disciplines are invited to apply for a thesis project at the BDRI.

 

 

While doing an internship, students have the opportunity to carry out their personal project for their university (thesis, dissertation). To carry out a project with the BDRI means that our interns concentrate on and analyse specific data from our already-existing long-term research dataset. Interns participate in the data collection of our on-going marine mammal and marine bird research program in the Ría de Arousa (Galicia, Spain) and receive supervision from the BDRI chief biologist (Dr. Bruno Díaz López), and principal investigator (Ms. Severine Methion, PhD candidate, marine ecologist). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English.

 

 

Project topics offered at BDRI

CETACEAN ECOLOGY - This topic includes spatial analysis and creation of models from cetacean distribution data recorded in Atlantic waters (Galicia, Spain). Outcomes of these studies will provide more information on the distribution of cetacean species in Galicia, and about the impact of human activities on cetacean distribution. The Galician firths (known as Rías) on the North-western coast of Spain have been identified as an area of year-round presence of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and are thus a suitable area for exploring the location of possible special areas of conservations (SACs) under the EU Habitats Directive. Applicants should have a strong interest in GIS or modelling.

CETACEAN BEHAVIOUR - This topic includes analysis of behavioural data (bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) , baleen whales, and/or harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)) recorded in Atlantic waters (Galicia, Spain). Outcomes of these studies will provide important information on individual and group behaviour of these species, as well as information on the impact of human activities on marine mammal behaviour. Applicants should have a strong interest in ethology and conservation.

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN COMMUNICATION - This topic includes analysis of bio-acoustical and behavioural data recorded from a study area characterized by different levels of anthropogenic impact (Galicia, Spain). These studies will explore the use of social vocalizations in different contexts (feeding, socialising, travelling, resting) looking for geographic and contextual similarities in social sound use. Outcomes of these studies will provide more information on the function of specific social vocalisations and influence of the environment and, in some cases, anthropogenic activities. Applicants should have a strong interest in bioacoustics.

 

DOLPHIN SOCIETY and MARK-RECAPTURE studies - This specific topic includes analysis of mark-recapture data from bottlenose dolphin and/or common dolphin groups recorded in Atlantic waters (Galicia, Spain). Outcomes of these studies will provide more information about population abundance, dolphin society and, in some cases, the impact of human activities. Applicants should have a strong interest in photo-identification, modelling, and social studies.

 

SKIN PIGMENTATION AND BODY MARKS IN CETACEANS - This specific topic includes analysis of photographic data of cetaceans recorded in Atlantic waters (Galicia, Spain). Outcomes of these studies will provide more information about cetacean external body conditions, taking into account intra- and inter-specific interactions, infections, diseases and in some cases the impact caused by human activities. Applicants should have a strong interest in ecology and photographic analysis.

 

MARINE BIRD ECOLOGY - This topic includes spatial analysis and creation of models from data about marine birds recorded in Atlantic waters (Galicia, Spain). Outcomes of these studies will provide more information about marine bird distribution (seagulls (Larus spp.), cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), waders, auks and more) and the impact caused by human activities. Applicants should have a strong interest in GIS, marine birds, and modelling.

 

OTTER DIET - This topic includes data about the feeding ecology of  otters (Lutra lutra) in the Ría de Arousa (Galicia, Spain). Outcomes of these studies will provide more information about European otter ecology by studying the spraints and foraging behaviour. Applicants should have a strong interest in otters and laboratory analysis.

 

Many other projects can also be developed such as impact of human activities on marine environment, veterinarian, mass-balance modelling, ocean sciences, and more. Consult with the BDRI to explore the possibilities (info@thebdri.com). The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English, but dissertations can be also written in French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Interns writing a thesis project will be undertaking normal intern field-work and lab-work activities (6 working hours per day / 5 days a week). All personal project data analysis and thesis writing will be done on personal time. All thesis projects will contribute to one of the ongoing BDRI research projects being carried out by the institute. This allows for simultaneous use of equipment and better supervision and guidance. The BDRI provides all the material, research equipment and supervision when a student comes to write a thesis. Data collection procedures at the institute are already established,  and all resulting project topics are proposed to students depending on their background and preferences.

To warrant a good amount and high quality of data for the elaboration of the thesis project, the BDRI provides interns with data collected during the previous research season. For example, if a student joins the BDRI in summer 2019, he/she will participate in the current field data collection, but will use data collected during the previous research season (i.e. summer 2018) in order to be able to analyse data and start writing the thesis from the beginning of the internship.

Data collection methods are the same over the years. All BDRI interns participate in data collection in the field in order to understand the data collection process. Laboratory  days typically last six hours and field days occur several times a week (weather dependent) and vary in duration. There are two days off per week (typically the weekend). All BDRI project interns participate in every step if the research from collecting data in the field to analysing the data for their project. The design of data collection is already done and specific topics are proposed to students depending on their background and preferences.

 

BDRI internships are not paid and this training experience requires a tuition fee which is used to off-set the cost of training, use of research equipment, facilities and research vessels, accommodation in an apartment with other participants, and other expenses (access to wifi, electricity, taxes, insurances, etc) and a project fee. Click here to download the internship information package. This fee covers added supervision and guidance, the associated paperwork, as well as the use of BDRI resources. Successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from the research centre (O Grove, Galicia, Spain). Students carrying out these projects are encouraged to try for extramural or university funding to offset these costs. If the student intends to receive academic credit, he/she will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions.

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

For more information and details, please visit the page HOW TO APPLY and download the Internship Information Package, Thesis information package and the application form.

To apply, carefully read both documents, create a list of preferred topics, select the duration of your stay and send the application form, a resume, cover letter and recommendation letters (facultative) by email to: info@thebdri.com

Applications are accepted on a first come first served basis. Positions are open until filled. There is no deadline to apply.

 

Feel free to send us an e-mail to: info@thebdri.com for  any further information about the program.