Applied GIS & Remote Sensing
Background
The Aegean Sea is one of the most important marine biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean, with some of the most extensive and pristine seagrass meadows and coralligenous assemblages hosting populations of keystone species. Unfortunately, these biodiversity hotspots and keystone species are at increasing risk of anthropogenic activities such as illegal fishing, tourism and climate change. Archipelagos aims to protect and conserve the Aegean nature with frontier science for conservation, and we need spatial analyses in achieving our goals.
GIS-team
Accurate maps depicting the location of protected habitats is key for the effective management and conservation of biodiversity hotspots. Unfortunately, the lack of accurate mapping in this region limits the extent of conservation action that can be implemented and enforced. The Archipelagos GIS team assists in collecting, interpreting, and visualizing data in all marine projects with the support from our research vessel the ‘Aegean Explorer’, scientific-equipped kayaks and satellite data. Main data sources for the GIS team are collected from an array of important scientific tools, such as a down-scan sonar, multibeam, biomass scanner, ROV and many more. We are involved in many national and international projects to improve the spatial data for the Mediterranean Sea.
Examples of recent internship projects
- Collaborating in collecting, interpreting, and visualizing spatial data, with use of our research vessels, scientific-equipped kayaks and satellite data.
- Producing maps and reports to support conservation purposes.
- Assessing the distribution and density of seagrass meadows in the coastal zones around the Aegean Sea. Research is focused on remote sensing combined with training data obtained from downscan sonar kayak surveys.
- Developing and conducting rapid-assessment mapping techniques, combining citizen science, mulitbeam sonar, biomass scanner and ROV data. These advanced technologies offer valuable insight into coralligenous and other mesobenthic habitats’ presence, resulting in high-resolution distribution maps.
- Using wide range spatial data to map priority for improved management. For example, fishing data, boat traffic and Sentinel satellite imagery.
Your role
The internship will consist of both fieldwork at sea and office work, which will help you to gain a valuable skill set in data collection and analyses from an array of scientific tools. You are providing support to different projects related to the conservation of the Aegean Sea and her islands. As Archipelagos is continually improving the data collection and conservation outputs, you will be encouraged to explore new ideas.
Technical skills
At least one of the following requirements is needed:
• GIS: Good experience with GIS software (e.g. QGIS, ArcGIS);
• Remote Sensing: Knowledge of Remote Sensing packages (e.g. SNAP, ENVI, ErDAS);
• Data analyses: knowledge in statistics, programming, geospatial analyses with some experience in a programming language such as R or Python.
Other skills
• Fluency in English
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Motivation to live in remote places with simple facilities
• Sincere desire to work towards Archipelagos’ conservation efforts
What we offer
We offer an internship at an inspiring institute with experts on coastal conservation. You have the opportunity to collect data for writing a thesis, scientific publications or increasing your skillset within the marine conservation sector. Internships range from 3 – 12 months, although shorter or longer internship periods may be arranged to cover the needs of groups or individuals. As Archipelagos is a non-profit research institute, the internships we offer are unpaid. The experience requires an internship weekly fee of 200 – 245 euros to cover living and research expenses (e.g. housing, 3 meals a day, public liability insurance and other research facilities). Students and recent graduates and researchers are advised to search for possible funding through their universities, by getting in touch with the International Office/ Placement/ Erasmus+ Offices at their Universities or other relevant grant providing organizations in their region.
Procedure
To apply for this internship, please send an email to our admissions team outlining your program of interest and requesting an application form – admissions@archipelago.gr. We will get back to you within 2 working days.
