INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Interested in getting yourself fully immersed in the manta madness that the Maldives has to offer? Well the opportunity has now arrived - The Manta Trust is excited to announce that applications for a field research internship with the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme in 2024/2025 are now open! For three months, you will be involved in collecting vital data on the world’s largest-known population of reef manta rays, working and learning from researchers running one of the best-known manta research projects. The position will give you first-hand experience of working as a manta scientist; operating from our dedicated research vessel, interns will cruise the atoll in search of mantas, and potential new aggregation sites. All data collected will contribute to the database we have built up for over a decade and will be used to inform both local communities and government officials to ensure protective measures are met for the successful conservation of manta rays and other megafauna.
Requirements:
Applicants must have successfully completed a BSc degree in Marine Biology/ Environmental Conservation, OR have experience working in a related field; Note – for Maldivian nationals only, a BSc degree is not a requirement but experience working in the field of marine conservation is preferred.
Applicants must be able to commit to one of two 3-month periods (1st December 2024 – 28th February 2025, or 1st February - 30th April 2025). Applicants that are flexible and able to commit to either period will be preferred.
Minimum PADI Divemaster certification in active status (SSI/BSAC equivalent). Please give details of diving experience and number of dives logged. Whilst diving is not a common activity for an intern, applicants without this diving qualification will NOT be considered.
Excellent swimming/snorkelling skills. A demonstrated ability to comfortably free-dive to at least 10-15m. You will spend a lot of time snorkelling down beneath manta rays to get photos of their ID spot patterns.
Physically fit – it is likely you will spend 4+ hours a day, 6 days a week swimming in the ocean. Mantas love to be uncooperative, and when conditions are rough/there is a current, it can be physically demanding.
A strong interest in manta rays, conservation and marine/environmental research.
Computer literate and comfortable working long hours at a desk. After a long day at sea, interns will be expected to spend 3 hours+ in the afternoon/evenings processing ID photo data in the office with the other researchers.
Fluent in spoken and written English (additional languages desirable).
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - comfortable with public speaking and giving presentations.
Self-motivated individual with a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude with a flexible approach to a diverse workload;
The ability to live and work as part of a team in a resort local island environment.
Roles and responsibilities include:
Carry out daily research snorkels and site surveys;
Collect data on all manta sightings (ID photos, gender, injuries, pregnancies, behaviour, etc.);
Data entry – survey results; sightings updates; research study analysis;
Lead manta excursions for guests (snorkel and dive trips to manta feeding and cleaning sites), representing the Manta Trust as the manta ray specialist providing expert advice and sharing information about the regional manta ray population.
Promote safe and responsible tourism interactions with manta rays;
Active participation in education and awareness events, including the Maldives Education Programme (Moodhu Madharussa);
Produce material for Manta Trust social media;
Conduct weekly Mini Manta Biologist session at the resort;
Participation and assistance in ongoing research projects at the base. These include but are not limited to the Eyes on the Reef project, Ultrasound and SVP measurements; Nursery site assessments; Zooplankton sampling;
Equipment Requirements:
Personal Laptop with photo editing software (e.g. Lightroom);
Dropbox Plus Subscription (minimum 1TB storage space).
Fins (preferably long blades), Mask and Snorkel.
A waterproof timepiece (to be worn when conducting all in-water activities).
Underwater camera.
Note for Maldivian Nationals only: Camera and laptop is not a requirement.
Inclusions & Exclusions:
All food, shared accommodation and internal flight transfers will be covered.
For those not certified with any Freediving qualification, a theory training course will be provided free of charge.
Scientific training and experience conducting research in the field.
Interns will be required to take out their own insurance cover, including but not limited to, travel and personal liability insurance.
Note for Maldivian Nationals only: Stipend of $300/month.
If you are interested, and meet all requirements please send your CV/resume (maximum two pages), and a covering letter (maximum one page) to raa@mantatrust.org, quoting the reference above and your name in the email title e.g. ‘Internship Application #MMRP2025 Joe Bloggs’.
This is an extremely popular and highly competitive opportunity, so really try and impress us if you want to stand out! It should also be highlighted that completion of this internship may present the opportunity to work with the Manta Trust in the future. We look forward to reading your application.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be conducted with short-listed candidates before the application deadline.
Due to limited capacity only successful candidates will be contacted.
