The Shark Lab is looking for highly motivated, hard-working people with a desire to work and gain experience with marine fauna and flora.
Volunteers are integrated into all aspects of the station's workload – alongside tagging and measuring sharks, they are expected to assist with fixing equipment, cleaning the facilities, and cooking dinner. We believe that volunteering at the station is a life-changing experience that not only develops scientists but also helps to create well-rounded people, with a drive and passion to succeed in whatever path they choose to follow!
At Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation (BBFSF) we are seeking general interns who can collect data for our PhD student’s projects (see current research), assist with long term study data collection, and aid in the daily running of the station. Internships range in length, with approximately two months being the minimum stay. BBFSF recommends volunteers consider a four-month internship, to make the most of this opportunity, as well as to maximize their skill development.
Interns can apply to stay for as long of a duration as they would like, as long as they are able to arrive/depart on the specific start dates mentioned below. We are not in a position to be flexible with these dates due to our research schedule, bed availability, and chartered air service to bring over supplies.
Applications can be submitted at any time, however please indicate whether you are available between January to June, or July to December.
Project Studentships
We offer Project Studentships biannually, typically running 5 January - 20 June, or 20 June - 15 December. There may be the opportunity to extend your stay at the Lab, but we require a minimum of six months commitment. At this time, our placements are full until January 2022. Project Student positions are released approximately six months ahead of the start date, with a specific project in mind. Potential students do not have to be associated with a university programme to be considered, however this opportunity is ideal for Masters candidates with the end goal of publishing a scientific paper. Note that the Shark Lab is not an institute with degree giving powers, and as such Masters students have to be enrolled in a programme with a university prior to arrival.
Throughout this studentship you will conduct your own research that will bolster the work of our Principal Investigators. Alongside the research, you will be asked to lead fieldwork activities with other volunteers, and help with the day-to-day running of the station - partaking in the capture and care of sharks, fishing, data entry, maintenance of field equipment, cooking and preparation of lab meals, and cleaning of the facilities.
Project student fees are typically $1500/month, but the cost per month will be confirmed prior to arrival in Bimini based on the needs of your project. Unfortunately, the Shark Lab is not able to offer funded studentships at this time, and all fees must be covered by yourself or your university. The fees we request cover the cost of room and board, your field equipment and vessel use, and contribute towards BBFSF research.
Room & Board Fee
Our monthly room & board fee of $1000 USD is all-inclusive of internship activities, accommodation at the Station, three meals a day, laundry, internet, and all field activities & training. This cost works out as $33/day – not a bad deal for food and accommodation, especially compared to standard Bimini prices. Please note that the room & board fees paid by interns makes up less than a third of the total running cost of the Station annually. All Shark Lab funding go directly into ensuring the research can continue. We appreciate your understanding on this matter.
The $1000 is a monthly rate (typically running from 15th to the 15th), and any additional days outside this, will be charged at a daily rate. For example, if your internship dates are 15 April – 20 June, this would be calculated as two months and four days.
On top of room & board fees, we require an additional payment of $450 USD to cover your round trip flight from Fort Lauderdale – Bimini. This flight is organized entirely by BBFSF specific to your internship dates.
