[Coral-List] Internships available at Reef HQ in 2005

Kirsten Michalek-Wagner kirstenm at gbrmpa.gov.au
Tue Jun 15 22:03:23 EDT 2004


Dear Colleagues,

As part of its education and outreach role, Reef HQ, the education 
centre for the Great Barrier reef Marine Park Authority, offers up to 
four curatorial internship positions to suitable applicants for 2005. 
Each internship position carries one specialist research and development 
project, which will be the core duty of the candidate.

I would very much appreciate if you would pass on this offer for up to 4 
curatorial internships at reefHQ to your students at your facility 
(please see detailed information below).


Thank you for your support


Regards,

Kirsten


Dr. Kirsten Michalek-Wagner Coral reef ecosystems biologist
ReefHQ
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
2-68 Flinders Street, Townsville, Qld. 4810
Australia
phone: 07 4750 0876
fax:   07 4772 5281
email: kirstenm at gbrmpa.gov.au




*Reef HQ -Curatorial internships 2005*
 

**As part of its education and outreach role, Reef HQ offers up to four 
curatorial internship positions to suitable applicants for 2005. Each 
internship position carries one specialist research and development 
project, which will be the core duty of the candidate. However, interns 
may also assist Reef HQ staff with animal husbandry responsibilities of 
all exhibits, including feeding of fish, turtles, corals, maintenance of 
aquariums systems and other routine duties related to animal care. This 
program is designed for individuals intending to undertake a technical 
or professional career in marine science, aquaculture or a closely 
related discipline. Many of the skills acquired will have application in 
a range of marine scientific disciplines and will be an advantage to 
recent graduates seeking industry experience.

 


  The Reef HQ work environment

Reef HQ, formerly the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, is the aquarium and 
education section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which 
is a statutory department of the Australian Government empowered with 
the task to care for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Reef HQ 
consists of a 2.5 million litre living coral reef exhibit, the largest 
in the world, a 750,000 litre predator exhibit, 24 smaller aquaria, an 
extensive interpretive facility including a 75 seat theatre and a 
classroom for school groups, a large mechanical workshop, display 
preparation areas, support aquaria, diverse marine research facilities, 
laboratory, staff offices and a gift shop.


  Internship specifics 

Interns will work in the Curatorial Unit at the Reef HQ, which is 
responsible for maintaining the live exhibits at the aquarium. Interns 
will be exposed to practical and theoretical marine biology areas and 
fields. Interns will assist in current research involving specimen 
handling and collection, coral reproduction, physiology and 
identification, experimental design, sampling techniques, data analysis 
and basic laboratory techniques. Interns will also acquire aquarist 
experience by assisting trained aquarists in animal husbandry 
techniques, feeding, water quality analysis and more.

Daily duties to be performed include preparing animals' diets, feeding 
animals, maintaining water quality in aquaria and holding tanks, 
recording animal health and water quality data in logbooks, and routine 
cleaning and upkeep of equipment and husbandry areas.


//

//*Eligibility for Curatorial Internships*//

 A background in university-level science at Bachelor level (3 years) in 
the field of aquaculture, marine biology or related fields and previous 
experience with marine animal care and handling is a must. Diving 
qualifications (advanced open water or higher) are highly desirable. 
Familiarity with wet lab, water testing, and microscopy procedures are 
highly desirable. Experience at a marine lab or with home aquaria would 
also be of value. Interns must be able to work at least three 
consecutive months, however, a six-month tenure is preferred.    Interns 
must be in good physical condition and able to commit to 5 full days 
(generally Monday to Friday 9am-5pm), however, must also work on 
weekends if required. Interns must provide their own housing and 
transportation while participating in the program. While the internships 
are unpaid, the opportunity for skill and knowledge development is 
unparalleled. Moreover, where possible Reef HQ is willing to cooperate 
with colleges and universities to obtain course credit for each student.

 

 There is a two-phase application process: a mail-in application and an 
interview. To apply for the two available positions, please provide the 
following materials:

1.             Cover letter including:

·         Name and contact information (address, email, phone)

·         University name, address, and your academic program

·         Previous experience in marine husbandry  or marine biology

·         Your specific interests in marine biology and aquaria in 
particular

·         Tentative schedule of availability

 

2.             Current resume including three academic or professional 
references with contact information

 

3.             A letter of support from a current faculty member who is 
familiar with your internship-related interests

 

 

Please note that applications will be evaluated based on academic 
skills, experience, motivation, and relevance of the applicant's 
interests to our focus program.
Candidates successfully reaching phase two will be notified within one 
month of the application reaching Reef HQ and a (phone) interview will 
be scheduled.

 

Applications close on the 15^th of August 2004 and a start of the 
program is envisaged for between February and August 2005.

 

Please send your application to:  Reef HQ, Dr Kirsten Michalek-Wagner, 
2-68 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810, Australia; e-mail: 
kirstenm at gbrmpa.gov.au


-- 

Dr. Kirsten Michalek-Wagner 
Coral reef ecosystems biologist
Reef HQ
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
2-68 Flinders Street, Townsville, Qld. 4810
Australia

phone: 07 4750 0876
fax:   07 4772 5281
email: kirstenm at gbrmpa.gov.au


http://www.Reef HQ.org.au




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