Placements in the Field of Environmental Research of the Aegean Sea

  Greece

Term: Throughout the year 
Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months

Description: Archipelagos offers the opportunity for recent graduates and students to acquire practical experience, working within the framework of the organisation's research and conservation work.

Placements in the field of environmental research are offered to recent graduates and students of Marine, Environmental and Biological Sciences, as well as Geology, Agronomy and Chemistry/Biochemistry and related sciences.

Graduates and students of Multimedia, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Photography, Film making and other related art subjects, can also join the Archipelagos research team to produce educational, awareness-raising and promotional material.

Volunteers will be expected either to design and execute relevant projects or contribute to existing and ongoing projects.

Marine Research includes:
* Study of the biodiversity of littoral marine habitats
* Study of fisheries' productivity
* Study of marine mammal populations
* Study of the primary productivity of marine ecosystems
* Study of the biochemical content of marine algae and invertebrates (for the isolation of bioactive substances, with use in pharmacology and in biotechnology), and many more.

Terrestrial Research (taking place in the freshwater & terrestrial habitats of the islands & islets) includes:
* Study the biodiversity of island flora and fauna
* Forest management
* Freshwater ecosystem management
* Chemical and microbiological analyses
* Agronomic research
* Seed bank projects
* Solid waste management projects
* Renewable energy system projects

Conservation projects include:
* Environmental photography and video applications
* Graphic design and multimedia applications
* Environmental education

Highlights:    
* Marine research and conservation
* Forest and Freshwater ecosystem management
* Research and conservation of island flora and fauna
* Agronomic research and Seed Bank projects
* Chemical Assessment of Environmental Impacts
* GIS mapping of marine and terrestrial habitats and biodiversity
* Applications of renewable energy sources
* Illustration of flora and fauna of the Aegean Sea
* Graphic design for environmental awareness material
* Production of DVDs and animations on the environment
* Environmental photography in the region of the Aegean Sea
* Documentary film production in the region of the Aegean Sea

Qualifications:
Basic Academical background in fields related to Environmental Studies:
* Enjoy the work
* Enjoy living in the simple conditions of a field research station (where accommodation and board are simple- but of course adequate)
* Enjoy living as part of a team, together with other young scientists, from different countries, adapting to the limited personal space and time,
* Enjoy living in a small community and close to nature
* Be prepared that the weather conditions during the winter can be at times very severe and cause adjustments to the way of life and work
* Be prepared that you will have to live and work with many people, in order to achieve a common aim: the protection of the natural environment of the Greek seas and islands.

Graduates of relevant disciplines are invited to spend a minimum of 3 months to work alongside scientists and trainee researchers on current issues of science and conservation.

Education awareness and promotion of the Archipelagos research and conservation effort is also an integral part of the organisation. Graduates and students of media, graphic design, photography and other relevant disciplines are also urged to apply.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A volunteer is defined as an individual who is donating her/his service to Archipelagos under staff supervision. Volunteer positions are providing Archipelagos with administrative, educational, and research assistance. A volunteer is not an employee of the organization, nor can s/he represent herself/himself as such. Volunteers do not receive financial compensation for services provided to the organization. Volunteers are screened by Archipelagos' staff, during a 15-day trial period, who determines in what capacity each volunteer can best serve the organisation's needs. Each volunteer's is oriented by his/her supervisor to the function of the work tasks with which s/he will be involved. Volunteers may attend weekly meetings. All volunteers should be willing and able to take over other staff responsibilities at any time. Being flexible is very important when working at Archipelagos as schedules and agendas can change rapidly and greatly. A volunteer may be discharged if it appears that this action best serves the needs of the program. In this case, the supervisors/directors and the volunteer will arrive at a termination schedule that is suited to the needs of the program and the volunteer.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Greece Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Archipelagos, Institute of Marine & Environmental Research of the Aegean Sea's Mission Statement: Archipelagos action combines scientific research into the biodiversity of the marine and terrestrial environment of the Aegean Sea and islands, with efficient conservation work, in which the local communities have an active part. In order to carry out this challenging work Archipelagos is active throughout the year in several parts of the Aegean, and has research bases in Ikaria and Samos as well as research stations in the islets Arki, Marathi (east of Patmos island) and Agios Minas (Fourni) in the eastern Aegean, where there are appropriately equipped offices and labs. Away from city centres and popular environmental theories, but with truly voluntary work and devotion to the aim of environmental conservation of the Aegean, Archipelagos aims to offer a new approach to action for environmental conservation in Greece. The research team works in the field throughout the year, for the implementation of scientific research which is essential in the development of conservation programmes. Despite adverse weather conditions that may occur, especially in the winter months, the team's enthusiasm and commitment to the aims of environmental conservation, enable us to continue working on this demanding undertaking.

Year Founded: 1998