Research
Fellowship

Marine Conservation Research Fellowship in Seychelles

Carry out impactful research with a goal to protect marine ecosystems.

Durations: 4 - 24 weeks
Fieldwork hours45 hrs of fieldwork per week
Participant ratio1:6 staff to participant ratio
GVI experiencesIncludes GVI Experiences
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Travel flexibility, because life happens! Modify your booking, even up to 48 hours before departure. T&Cs apply.

Program information

Gain practical real-life work experience as you carry out research that contributes to building a healthy marine ecosystem. With 24 dive sites and an abundance of marine megafauna, participants gain real-life working experience while learning from experts in the conservation field. Part of your fellowship will include working on your university dissertation or long-term research projects.

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Program overview

On a marine research fellowship in Seychelles you’ll assist with reef ecosystem monitoring and assessing the growth rates of coral. You’ll learn how to identify species and assist with surveys and the collection of data on invertebrates, fish, seagrass, sharks and marine megafauna. Participants also contribute to conservation work like seagrass ecosystem monitoring, marine megafauna sightings, weekly beach cleans, and assisting with entering data into citizen science databases. Through practical on-the-ground conservation work, you’ll get an idea of different roles within the conservation sector and develop a range of skills to set you up for a successful career.

Meeting weekly with other research fellows and a research supervisor, you’ll receive feedback and guidance and receive training on research methods from industry experts. At the end of your fellowship, write up a final research report or contribute to long-term research publications. You’ll also have the chance to lead or co-author a paper on a specific conservation issue.

Advance your skill set by completing your Open Water, Advanced Open Water and Coral Reef Research Diver Speciality PADI diving qualifications. You can also add on a Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response course.

Our base in Seychelles is situated in a marine-protected area and is home to a wide array of megafauna, such as sharks, rays, and dolphins.

Participants on this program will contribute to UN SDG 13: Climate Action and Goal 14: Life Below Water.

Highlights

 

 

Master your research
Master your research
Conduct focused research across 24 amazing dive sites, with access to unique marine species, pristine coral reefs and cutting-edge data.
Find a diver’s paradise
Find a diver’s paradise
Explore dive sites among the tropical islands of Seychelles and experience incredible local marine megafauna like turtles, sharks, rays and dolphins.
Get published
Get published
Conduct research abroad and co-author or publish a scientific paper on a pressing conservation topic.
Complete your studies
Complete your studies
Join GVI on one of our flagship research projects, or complete your own thesis or dissertation.
Receive academic supervision
Receive academic supervision
Attend individual sessions with a qualified PhD-holding scientist with a strong academic background.
Join cutting-edge science
Join cutting-edge science
Contribute to a legacy of 25+ years of scientific conservation research that has been cited over 1,000 times.
Live on a research station
Live on a research station
Travel off the beaten track to live and work in remote habitats. Get exclusive access to protected species and unique ecosystems.
Advance your career
Advance your career
Gain international experience, receive four recognised qualifications and get a LinkedIn reference to boost your CV.

Is this program for me?

This internship is specifically useful for someone who has or is actively studying the below subject areas at school, university or college, or has an interest in these subject areas.

  • Marine science
  • Ecology
  • Population biology
  • Epidemiology
  • Biology
  • Environmental science
  • Zoology
  • Botany
  • Marine biology
  • Ecology and evolution
  • Environment management
  • Marine conservation
  • Wildlife management
  • Animal husbandry
  • Geology
  • Wildlife biology and conservation

Activities

Some of the example typical activities you could participate in on this program.

 

Fieldwork training
Fieldwork training
Learn how to identify species and conduct surveys that contribute to data collection and building an inventory of marine species in Seychelles.
Conservation surveys
Conservation surveys
Monitor reef health, assess coral bleaching, and participate in surveys of invertebrates, fish, seagrass, sharks and megafauna.
Support conservation projects
Support conservation projects
Assist with various tasks like seagrass monitoring, megafauna sightings, beach cleanups and data entry into citizen science databases.
Research training
Research training
Learn how to manage GVI’s databases, assist with data entry, analyse data for insights and present data in visual and written formats.
Research project
Research project
Work on a research project that contributes to GVI’s ongoing research or addresses the topic covered in your personal dissertation or thesis.
Research supervisor
Research supervisor
Meet weekly in a small group of other fellows and interns to receive guidance and feedback on your research or receive training on research methods.
Research report
Research report
Apply what you’ve learnt to write up a final research report. Or lead/co-author articles for long-form research publications.

Skills

  • Data entry
  • EFR training
  • Marine conservation
  • PADI
  • Species identification
  • Survey research

Partners

Some of the partners we work with on base.

Seychelles Parks & Gardens Authority (SPGA)
Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE)
Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA)
Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT)
Coral Watch
The Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles (MCSS)
The Ocean Conservancy
Seagrass Watch
Olive Ridley Project (ORP)
PADI

Program details

 
Included in your program, at no extra cost.

Make the most of our unique programs with these exclusively curated local adventure and wellness experiences.

Offered once a month, expand your adventure with GVI Experiences. These are just some of the activities offered on your program!
Experience Thérèse Island’s coastal trails
Experience Thérèse Island’s coastal trails
Sauzier waterfall hike and jungle picnic
Sauzier waterfall hike and jungle picnic
Paddleboard across the bay
Paddleboard across the bay
Hike through lush forests and across rocky plateaus
Hike through lush forests and across rocky plateaus
Drift through the reef after dark
Drift through the reef after dark
Learn about rare and endemic species of plants
Learn about rare and endemic species of plants
Swim at a secret beach
Swim at a secret beach
PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris (or snorkel)
PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris (or snorkel)
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