Center for Oceanic Research and Education Internship
Opportunities
The Center for Oceanic Research and Education (CORE), based in Essex, MA, is a
non-profit organization dedicated to the study and conservation of cetaceans. Cetaceans
are whales, dolphins and porpoises. CORE's mission is to promote stewardship and
conservation of cetaceans and their marine environment. CORE's research focuses primarily
upon the populations of fin and humpback whales found in the inshore waters of New
England. We are currently working on several projects including:
CORE conducts whale watch education programs, school presentations and public outreach
activities throughout the year as part of our endeavor to educate people about endangered
whales and their fragile marine environment. We collect most of
our research data aboard
commercial whale watching vessels that operate out of Gloucester, MA. Interns are aboard
each trip as research assistants, and are primarily responsible for data collection. The
types of data recorded on each trip include physical information such as climate and
sea conditions, number and species of each cetacean, as well as behavioral information and
identification photographs of focus animals. Other duties aboard the boats include
answering passenger questions, assisting with fund raising efforts and helping crew on
deck. A paid "education mate" position aboard the whale watching boat in
Gloucester is included - interns will rotate day-to-day through the week as research
assistants and education mates.
CORE is somewhat of a fledgling organization, founded in 1996, we earned our non-profit
status in 1999. Though we have no publications currently in print, we are in the process
of collecting data on several on-going research projects with the goal of developing
papers on such varied subjects as hierarchy within humpback whale social and feeding
groups, to observations of Sowerby’s and Cuvier’s beaked whales in offshore
submarine canyons. Interns can expect to participate in and learn a variety of facets of
research including:
- Data collection; data entry; archiving and cataloging photographs and
negatives; general office work.
- Data analysis methods; individual identification of whales through photo analysis; data
submission to educational on-line program WhaleNet.
- Public speaking; fund raising; correspondence with other organizations, researchers and
students.
- Interns are also assigned a specific on-going research project and will be expected to
complete an extensive reading list to gain important background knowledge.
- Basics of navigation; boat handling; use of marine electronics including GPS, LORAN,
radar and echolocation machines; handling lines; and general knowledge of vessel safety
and emergency protocol.
CORE offers year-round internship opportunities to qualified college students or
graduates. We require a two-month minimum stay. These are strictly unpaid, volunteer
positions. However, interns will be paid for their duties as Education Mates aboard the
commercial whale watching vessels out of Gloucester. CORE now
offers on-site housing for only $50 per week. We also offer
flexible hours, so that interns can obtain part-time jobs, if needed.
Interns are also encouraged to receive either undergraduate or graduate credits for
their internships with CORE. We will help students design and implement a project through
their school or with two local schools with whom we are affiliated (Endicott College,
Beverly, MA and Wheelock College, Boston, MA).
Application deadline for the summer internship session is
April 1st, with interviews immediately thereafter.
The deadline for the fall internship session is July 13th,
with interviews immediately thereafter (these can be scheduled
earlier, as well). We also accept applicants for spring. To apply for
an internship, please complete an application and send your resume or CV, a
letter of interest identifying your reason for applying, and a letter of recommendation
to the below address.
Center for Oceanic Research and Education Intern Application forms can be accessed here, then use your browser's print function to print. We will contact applicants to schedule an interview as soon as we receive the above materials. If you have any questions, please contact CORE's Director, Sarah Podleski at (978) 282-9800.
Please send your application materials to:
Center for Oceanic Research and Education, 6 Julian Road, Gloucester, MA 01930