Every year, HKDCS provides research internship opportunities for university students to arouse their awareness about Hong Kong cetaceans and marine environments so that they can become future specialists in environmental science and conservation. Students may take part in this internship program during summer/winter vacation, or at other available time.

Duties

The main duty of research interns is to participate in boat surveys on local dolphins and porpoises, jointly organized with the Hong Kong Cetacean Research Project. They are also required to conduct land-based surveys at several elevated points on land. In addition, research interns may have to assist HKDCS in organizing public awareness activities (e.g. dolphin-watching trip, exhibition and seminar). Besides, there are opportunities for research interns to conduct their own small-scale research projects under HKDCS researcher’s supervision.

Requirements

• Age 18 or above; non-smoker
• Undergraduate or graduate students majoring in Biology, Environmental Science, or other related subjects
• Enthusiastic about cetacean and marine conservation
• Able to work outdoors and in harsh conditions
• Responsible, independent and able to work well with others

Things to Note

• For successful completion of the internship programme, students are required to participate full-time for 2-3 months as a minimum.
• Interns must submit weekly journals as well as a final report upon completion of the internship programme. They are considered to complete the programme successfully only if their final reports have been submitted and approved.
• Upon completion of the programme, interns will be granted transport allowances. However, HKDCS will not provide accommodation, meals and salary for research interns. Interns can also request a letter of certification and/or recommendation letter from HKDCS if their performance is satisfactory.

Application

Interested students can send their curriculum vitae and a statement of interest in no less than 300 words (either in Chinese or English) to HKDCS Chairman, Dr. Samuel Hung by email (samuel@hkdcs.org) for the arrangement of an interview. In the statement interest, please explain why you are interested in the programme, what you would expect from the programme, as well as your view on cetacean conservation in Hong Kong.