[Coral-List] Coral Reef Research Internship in Roatan

[RIMS Internship]

*CORAL REEF RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN ROATAN (July 30 –August 27, 2016)*

*PROGRAM LOCATION: *The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS),
Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras.

The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) is excited to offer a
4-week long Coral Reef Research Internship this summer.  If you are
interested in coral reef ecology and conservation, this internship will
provide a unique opportunity to live on a small Caribbean island and gain
valuable field research experience on one of the most biologically diverse
and well-developed reefs in the Caribbean.

RIMS was founded in 1989 with the primary objective of protecting Roatan’s
natural resources through education and research.  In almost three decades
our facility has established itself as a dedicated teaching institution and
we are visited throughout the year by colleges and universities from abroad
to study tropical marine ecosystems.  Our facility is ideally located on
the northwest coast of Roatan with easy access to miles of fringing and
barrier reef, seagrass beds, and mangrove communities.

*INTERNSHIP DATES:* The 4-week internship will run from July 30 through
August 27, 2016.



*ELIGIBILITY:  *The program will be limited to 12 interns and is open to
upper level undergraduate students or recent graduates with a genuine
interest in coral reef ecosystems. Students must be 18 years old at the
start of the internship and SCUBA certified.  We do not offer course credit
for the program, but due to the intensive structure of the course, we
encourage successful applicants to arrange for independent studies or
undergraduate research credit through their home institution.



*INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION:*

During the 4 weeks spent on Roatan, students will interact with staff
experts and visiting faculty as they investigate and explore a variety of
coral reef environments.  Through lectures, site visits and practical field
exercises, students will learn the flora and fauna of the region and
understand the roles of different ecological processes on a coral reef.

Through collaborative research activities, mentorship and independent
research projects, students will receive direct exposure to reef monitoring
methods, as they develop, implement and communicate their own research.  In
addition to the academic and research opportunities our program provides,
interns will also gain important cultural and social development. This
internship is a chance of a lifetime and the transformative experiences
students will be exposed to can contribute to personal growth and career
advancement.

Under the direction of a professional mentor and marine biologist, students
will engage in a wide variety of activities and gain experience in the:

   - Identification of Caribbean coral, fish, invertebrates and algal
   species
   - Application of field research methods to assess coral cover,
   abundance, and reef health
   - Development and implementation of an independent research project.
   - Participation in reef restoration projects and maintenance and
   monitoring of our coral nurseries.
   - Management of invasive lionfish populations through collaboration with
   the Roatan Marine Park.
   - Participation in field trips on and around Roatan.
   - Interaction with local conservation professionals.

*COURSE FEES*

The fee for the course is *$2975.00 USD*.  The fee includes full room &
board, diving, tanks and weights, lab and classroom fees, airport
transfers, off site field excursions and all applicable taxes.


*APPLICATION DEADLINE*: Applications are due by May 1st, 2016.
Applications will not be accepted if all the required forms have not been
received.

For more information about the Coral Reef Research Internship at RIMS and
to access the *Application Form* please visit our webpage at:
www.roatanims.org


*CONTACT INFORMATION:*

For more information or questions about the internship please contact:

Jennifer Keck

Research and Education Coordinator

Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences

internship at roatanims.org

011 -504-9556-0212

www.roatanims.org

Please share this information with students and other educators who may be
interested!