On behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) , I am pleased to announce that 2019 research season has just started and we are currently accepting applications for our Internship Program 2019.
Our internship program aims to prepare students for a professional career in the research of marine mammals, and conservation of the marine environment. Moreover, the BDRI offers a limited number of independent studies to advanced undergraduate and graduate students (bachelor and master students).
The main research topics of the 2019 BDRI research season will include marine mammal ecology, ethology, ecological modelling and bioacoustics (on dolphins, porpoises, baleen whales and otters in Atlantic waters), as well as marine birds and otters ecology. Highly motivated bachelor and master students in the fields of zoology, marine biology, veterinary and related disciplines are invited to apply for an internships at the BDRI.
Lasting between one and nine months (between January and November), there’s a variety of research projects that will help you explore what you may want to do long term. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, participants will be trained to get involved with multiple research projects involving a combination of boat-based surveys onboard research vessels, land-based observations, laboratory work (photo-identification, GIS, bioacoustics, diet analysis, diving behaviour, video analysis, database work, etc), and strandings (response, rescue, necropsy, and data collection).
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. The BDRI offers to the students the chance to work through the many steps of research, collecting the data on the field, and analysing the data at the lab.
Interns will participate in the data collection of our on-going marine megafauna research program in Galician waters (Spain) and will receive supervision from Bruno Díaz López, PhD (Director and Chief Biologist) and Séverine Methion, MSc (Principal Investigator and Marine Ecologist). The BDRI office is located in a pleasant research centre located in O Grove, Galicia (Spain). The institute and research vessels are equipped with the state-of-the-art technology, and the study area has especially good conditions for marine mammals and marine birds research. The incredible diversity of cetaceans present in these waters (up to 22 different species recorded) allows the BDRI team to have several ongoing research projects focused on the study of the ecology and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, Risso’s dolphins, common dolphins, pilot whales, humpback whales, minke whales, sei whales, fin whales, and blue whales.

The BDRI is a very international environment, and the everyday working language is English.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Apply early!
To apply, read the Internship Information Package and send the application form, a resume, cover letter, and recommendation letters (facultative) by email to: info@thebdri.comBDRI 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, kitchen utensils, electricity, taxes, insurances, etc) and a project fee. This fee covers added supervision, tuition, and guidance, the paperwork associated, 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.
We look forward to your participation and a successful research experience at the BDRI and we thank you for your interest. Feel free to send us an e-mail to: info@thebdri.com for us to provide you further information about the program.

The internships information information package can be downloaded here: https://www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/internships.pdf

The thesis information document can be downloaded here: https://www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/thesis.pdf

A list of the thesis carried out at the BDRI can be consulted here: https://www.thebdri.com/research/thesis.html

Some of our ex-interns shared their BDRI internship experience at: https://youtu.be/UAuO2XasBnw

For regular updates with photos and videos about our programs and research activities feel free to visit https://www.facebook.com/thebdri/

Scientific articles published by the BDRI in 2018 (for a full list of publications please visit: http://www.thebdri.com/research/papers.html

-Diaz Lopez, B. (2018) “Hot deals at sea”: responses of a top predator (Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus) to human-induced changes in the coastal ecosystem. Behavioral Ecology. http:/doi.org/10.1093/beheco/ary162

-Methion, S. & Diaz Lopez, B. (2018) Abundance and demographic parameters of bottlenose dolphins in a highly affected coastal ecosystem. Marine and Freshwater Research https://doi.org/10.1071/MF17346

-Diaz Lopez, B & Methion, S. (2018) Does interspecific competition drive patterns of habitat use and relative density in harbour porpoises? Marine Biology (2018) 165:92. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-018-3345-8

Bruno Díaz López Ph.D
Chief biologist and Director

The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI
Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain
www.thebdri.com
0034 684248552