Dolphins Plus offers a unique opportunity to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates, interested in actively participating in cutting edge research in the marine mammalogy field. Areas of discipline include, but are not limited to, husbandry, marine mammal social and physiological development, social dynamics, acoustics, applied behavior analysis, clinical studies, education, and conservation. The Dolphins Plus Research Internship provides participants with the experience needed to pursue careers in behavioral and managed care science through exposure to ongoing research and the acquisition of a more thorough understanding of the scientific process.

 

 

Internship Requirements/Qualifications:

• Candidates must – 1) be at least 18 years of age, 2) have completed at least 1 semester of college, 3) be available for a minimum of 8-12 weeks (40-hour/week), and 4) be willing to accept the internship as an unpaid position.
• Dolphins Plus does not provide housing. However, the Internship Coordinators are available to assist interns in identifying affordable housing in close proximity to Dolphins Plus. Interns must be capable of maintaining financial stability throughout the duration of the internship, including the cost of housing (including utilities), transportation, meals, travel, and personal expenses.
• Candidates must have strong swimming skills, must be able to withstand long periods of time outdoors in warm conditions (~ 85°-95°F), and should be physically capable of lifting up to 50 lbs.
• The majority of our research interns will be involved in ongoing research projects at Dolphin Plus.  Opportunities to conduct independent research projects are limited and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Graduate students interested in applying for the Research Internship, and conducting an independent project as part of their degree program, must be enrolled in a self-funded M.A., M.S., or M.P.S. program.  Ph.D. and M.S. candidates currently receiving funding from their universities (e.g. teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships, and/or grant funding) are not eligible for this program. Those students should follow the guidelines for application to the Marine Mammal Research Program at Dolphins Plus.

 

 

Internship Duties/Goals:

• Participate in a comprehensive lecture series and complete relevant exams to evaluate progress
• Gain a preliminary understanding of dolphin and sea lion behavior
• Learn how to systematically and objectively examine animal behavior
• Acquire a strong theoretical and practical foundation in marine mammal research and assessment methodologies
• Develop public speaking skills through peer and guest education
• Assist with data collection, data entry, the collection of video and acoustic recordings, data analysis, and animal observations and monitoring
• Conduct approved, observational (i.e. non invasive), independent research projects that contribute to a greater understanding of animal behavior, communication, learning, development, conservation, and management
• Conduct statistical analyses
• Develop a strong working knowledge of supportive and research software (e.g. SPSS, Raven, End Note)
• Produce thorough literature reviews of relevant topics, while maintaining and expanding upon the Dolphin Plus library
• Participate in daily facility operations

Priority will be given to candidates with a strong quantitative background and the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work.  The goal of the Research Internship program is to publish the results of ongoing and independent projects in peer-reviewed journals and to participate in national and international conferences (see Research Contract/Policies).

 

It may be possible to acquire academic credit from your hosting university for the Dolphins Plus Internship.  However, these opportunities and conditions vary among colleges and universities, and students are responsible for making these arrangements and clarifying the conditions for the receipt of academic credit PRIOR to arriving on-site. Our research staff will communicate with your professors as needed and will act as on-site advisors for the duration of your internship.

Application – Required Documents: 

1. Completed application ( Research Internship Application)
2. Current school transcripts
3. Resume
4. Recent photograph
5. Two letters of recommendation (must be sent directly from your referees to Dolphins Plus; see application form for additional details)
6. $25 application fee (personal check, money order, credit card, or cashier’s check)

 

Please mail all application materials to:

Dolphins Plus

Attn: Research Internship Program Coordinator

31 Corrine Place

Key Largo, Florida 33037

 

Internship Dates and Deadlines*:

• Winter Session: mid-November to mid-February (Application deadline: August 1^st)
• Spring Session: mid-February to mid-May (Application deadline: November 1^st)
• Summer Session: mid-May to mid-August (Application deadline: February 1^st)
• Fall Session: mid-August to mid-November (Application deadline: May 1^st)

*Please note that these are strict deadlines.  Materials received after the deadline will not be considered.

For additional information, please download our Frequently Asked Questions file:

          Dolphinsplus/Dolphincove Internship FAQ's

 

If you require further clarification, please contact the Dolphins Plus Research Internship Coordinator, Dr. Holli Byerly, at Education@DolphinsPlus.com (Subject: Attn – Research Internship Coordinator).

 

Research Internship Testimonials:

-       “I conducted research for my senior thesis at Dolphins Plus and feel so lucky to have been able to gain this experience!  I have learned many different research techniques and helped out with various research projects, including everything from monitoring a newborn calf to analyzing blood draw results.  The staff is extremely welcoming and accommodating in helping students obtain their research goals.  I am so thankful for this opportunity at Dolphins Plus. It has definitely solidified my decision to go into marine mammal research.”  ~Shelby, Research Intern (2010)

 

-       “My research internship gave me an incredible jump-start to working in the marine mammal field.  Having the opportunity to design my own project, execute data collection, and write a comprehensive journal report in the supportive atmosphere at Dolphins Plus helped me grow as a scientist and opened up so many wonderful opportunities.  I couldn’t have asked for more!” ~ Alexandria, Research Intern (2010)