Internships Details

About the Organization

Cape Tribulation, on the Coral Sea of Queensland, Australia, is about 120Km north of Cairns. The area has a wide variety of habitats from coastal reefs to tropical rainforest. The Cape Tribulation Tropical Research Station was established as a research station in 1988 to provide a locus for researchers and students to carry out both pure and management oriented research in the region. The Research Station is a research and conservation organisation specialising in lowland tropical ecosystems, in particular those of the Daintree lowlands. The Station is operated by the Australian Tropical Research Foundation (AUSTROP), an independent, not-for-profit, tax-deductible institution. The station is strategically positioned where two World Heritage sites meet: the Great Barrier Reef and the the Daintree Rainforest.

Job Description

Interns may work with visiting scientists on research projects or they may work by themselves with some input from the Director. The research projects may be new or they may be ongoing projects. Previous research at the Cape Tribulation Tropical Research Station has included: development of techniques for assisted regeneration of rainforests; development of appropriate technology for living in the wet tropics (particularly energy conservation); productivity and pollination of cluster figs; ecology of flying foxes (giant fruit bats) and their relatives; conservation biology of flying foxes - particularly development of non-lethal deterrent systems and the development of a GPS collar logger for flying foxes and cassowaries (applied science/ electrical engineering), rainforest and reef conservation plus a variety of projects by researchers inside and outside the Station.

In addition to the research projects, interns may also spend up to half their time assisting with other duties on the research station, including radio-tracking bats, counting figs, stomping grass for forest regeneration, constructing Station buildings, staffing the visitor center (the "Bat House"), etc. As everyone at the station pitches in on daily tasks, interns will also be expected to assist with these.

Students interested in projects in sustainable energy, building and design (such as solar power, energy efficient building design and composting/gasification technology) are welcome at the station as well. Students with computer skills - especially GIS -mapping, C++ and visual basic -are wanted for the flying fox GPS project.

# of Positions per term

2

Start Dates

Any Term

Duration of Internship

10 weeks to 6 months

Qualifications

Academic Background

Environmental science and related disciplines, engineering and sustainable development

Skills/Experience

Practical and/ or hands-on research skills preferred. Flexibility and ability to work in close environment with diverse people from around the world essential, as is the ability and desire to work independently/ take initiative to complete tasks and projects.

Language Ability

None

Other Requirements

Good interpersonal skills. Ability to live and work with others in close quarters. Willing to contribute to communal living environment and live in rustic quarters.

Internship Costs

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	Airfare + bus: $2000 US
Visa Fees	None
Recommended Immunizations	Health Check: $100

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$1110*
Food	Included in accomodation
Local Transportation	$100
Recreation	$100
Personal Expenses	$100

Additional Expense Information

*Accommodation is communal living in small, volunteer built cottages in the rainforest. Interns pay full room and board costs directly to Cape Tribulation preferably prior to departure or immediately upon arrival. Arrangements can be made for students staying over two terms who need financial aid assistance to pay for housing.

Additional Information

In addition to completing research on environmental sustainability or sustainable living practices, interns will assist with the AUSTROP Bat House. This is an information center on the property that houses injured Flying Foxes. Interns will care for the flying foxes and rotate the responsibilities with other volunteers of staffing the Information Center in the mornings and educating visitors about Flying Foxes and their rainforest habitat.