Internship Description

About the Organization:
The National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) was conceived as part of Australia’s Oceans Policy and constructed with a grant from the Commonwealth Government’s Centenary of Federation Fund. It is a significant development in the study and research of marine and coastal science and management in Australia. The Centre was opened in 2002 and is a joint venture of the University of New England and Southern Cross University. Both Universities have a history of innovation in natural resource management and marine science that they bring to the NMSC.
The NMSC is an exceptionally well equipped coastal institute based at Coffs Harbour on the East Australian seaboard. The Centre is located adjacent to the Solitary Islands Marine Park which enables students, academic and professional researchers to excel in the study of marine science and management.

Local Activities:


Job Description:
 Internships at NMSC enable students to work alongside professional scientists, managers, staff, technicians and to get a sample of what routes there are to follow in marine science and management careers.

The NMSC provides an Internship Program for a limited number of students who want international experience in their chosen field of Marine Science and management. The NMSC Internship Program is an independent, individualised and professional program providing students with opportunities to gain supervised, practical, international work experience by contributing to the daily operations of the Centre.

An Internship with the National Marine Science centre will enable you to:

• Gain relevant professional experience;
• Apply coursework to real life challenges;
• Learn from practicing professionals;
• Strengthen cross cultural skills;
• Explore and pursue new international opportunities; and
• Earn academic credit through your home institution.

The following internship program area opportunities currently exist:

Mariculture program area
The NMSC is restructuring it water system related research and development. The new Mariculture research program will provide the intern with experience in the investigation and development of marine fish and invertebrate culture, live food production and assist in set up of genetic selection experiments working with a high quality seawater system.

Interns will contribute technical “hands on” assistance and involvement in mariculture experiments and husbandry on marine species.

Schools Program area
Through this program the NMSC brings marine science expertise to the schools community in the northern NSW region. This Program will enable the intern to work closely with local high schools to enhance the learning experiences of students through a series of practical based field and laboratory activities.

Interns will obtain an array of skills sets. Some rapid learning is required to come up to speed with the Australian sub-tropical marine environment. The work with schools is both fieldwork, supervising visitors to NMSC’s foyer schools visit experience and writing up materials for school students of different ages.

Marine Biodiversity Research and Monitoring program area
The NMSC has a range of estuarine and sub-tidal benthic habitat research and monitoring projects. These involve invertebrate sampling and diving as part of structured biodiversity monitoring projects. NMSC is developing a Long Term Monitoring program in conjunction with several government agencies and this will enable interns to contribute in many ways to marine research.

Other NMSC programs with external agencies
In Coffs Harbour there are several government agencies such as the Solitary Islands Marine Park Authority. We also have links with the Pet Porpoise Pool, a dolphinarium and can offer internships in this area.

Additional Information:


Start Date:
Any term
Note: Interns may begin in January, March, June or September period. The nature of the Australian semesters means that in some programs during the November to January quarter may have low activity (say research diving) or high activity (dolphinarium). We do not recommend arriving in December or early January as this is holiday-vacation season and students may feel alone and isolated.

Duration:
6 months minimum (2 terms). Possible to extend to 12 months

Number of Positions:
1

Intern Qualifications

Academic Background:
Marine Science, Life Sciences, Biology, Animal Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Oceanography

Skills/Experience:
Required:  Coursework and some hands-on experience in marine science research.  Students must be independent and mature with strong academic backgrounds. 

Preferred:  An existing SCUBA certification and experience is required to be able to participate in underwater research.   Students in the life sciences, marine sciences and oceanography would be well suited for this internship.  Students with an interest and/ or experience in animal psychology would be of interest for the dolphinarium, as would a business studies student interested in market research of customers and how this can be incoporated into the promotion of the dolphinarium.   Students should be comfortable working with researchers and with public education and outreach projects.

Language Requirement:
English

Other Requirements:
• International Driving License
• Diving equipment will be provided by the project. A student is expected to have a wet suit and or snorkel equipment which can be purchased or hired locally, so as to suit local conditions.

Internship Costs

Program Fees:
The program fee includes tuition, internship site development and placement, pre-departure orientation, international health insurance, internship monitoring and follow-up.
Click here for application information, including the program fee, for your school.
Note: The program fee does not include airfare, housing, living expenses or any other estimated costs noted below.


Note:
Any financial or in-kind support provided by the host organization is explicitly indicated.

Compensation:
None. Compensation is not allowed on this visa. Students will be provided with an NMSC car for any project related trips if they have obtained an international driving license.
Monthly travel reimbursements will depend on level of involvement in projects and the amount of time away from the NMSC.

Accommodation:
The National Marine Science Center will assist interns in locating housing while in Coffs Harbour. Interns are responsible for their own housing expenses.

International Travel:
Approximately $1,600

Cost of Living:
The cost of living for an intern for one month can be estimated at (1$AU = .77$US):
Housing: $650-800AU
Food: $200-250AU
Visa/Work Permit: $140 US
Local Transportation: $40AU Daily public transportation access from central town to NMSC
Miscellaneous Expenses: $ 50AU (recreation etc).

Budget Note:
Applicants should use these estimates for preliminary budgeting purposes.
IE3 will issue an official budget after acceptance by the host organization.

Application Information

Academic Credit:
Up to 12 credits available as per arrangement with supervising department.

Application Materials:
IE3 is a program of the Oregon University System.
Students from participating partner universities are also eligible to apply.
Click here for application information and select your school from the list.

Created/Revised:1/23/07