Curatorial & Research Internships

Curatorial and Research Internships

As part of its education and community outreach role, Reef HQ Aquarium is offers curatorial/research internship positions to suitably qualified and motivated applicants. This six-month programme is designed for individuals intending a technical or professional career in marine biology, aquaculture, or a closely related discipline. Skills acquired during these internships provide a distinct industry-experience advantage to recent university graduates seeking such employment.

Each internship includes one supervised research project that will be the core duty of the candidate. In addition, interns assist Reef HQ Aquarium Curatorial Staff with duties such as:

• Water quality analysis and daily monitoring
• Marine animal husbandry including feeding
• Aquarium system maintenance and construction
• Routine aquarium cleaning and diving
• Occasional field trips for collection or research may also available.

SCUBA Diving in Reef HQ’s aquaria – one of the intern duties

The Reef HQ Aquarium work environment

Reef HQ Aquarium is Australia’s national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, a statutory Authority of the Australian Government empowered with the task to care for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area. Reef HQ Aquarium houses a 2.5 million-litre coral reef aquarium, which is the largest living coral reef exhibit in the world. The facility also has a 750 000-litre marine predator exhibit, and 24 smaller aquaria that display a wide variety of tropical aquatic habitats and organisms. Reef HQ has extensive interpretive activities and facilities for visitors, including a 75-seat theatre and a classroom, and a cafe and gift shop. Behind the scenes are marine research facilities including aquaria and laboratories, an engineering workshop, display preparation areas, and staff offices.

Internship specifics

Interns are part of the Curatorial Unit at Reef HQ Aquarium, the team responsible for daily maintenance of live exhibits at the Aquarium. As such, they acquire hands-on aquarist experience in areas like: laboratory operations, water quality analysis, aquarium maintenance, animal nutrition and observation, general husbandry techniques, record keeping, and quarantine and handling protocols. Additional opportunities in specialist areas, coral propagation being one example, are also available as time and interest permit.

Interns conducting coral spawning experiments

Research and development projects are worth 50 per cent of the necessary internship time commitment. Interns may choose to assist with ongoing research projects, or design one of their own, with the potential to publish their results. A formal written proposal of the research project is expected after the first month of beginning an internship. Potential projects include but are not limited to: coral propagation, thermal tolerance, live feed cultures, fish and invertebrate culture, bacterial loading assessments, pest control, and evaluation of water quality monitoring techniques.

During the research project, interns will acquire research skills such as: specimen identification, handling and collection methods, experimental design, data analysis, and laboratory techniques. At the end of the internship, each intern is required to submit a formal scientific report of their research project that includes:

• A review of previous work on their topic
• The experimental and statistical design of the project
• Methods, data analysis, results, and discussion of their findings.

Eligibility for Curatorial Internships

There are two intakes for internships annually:

• One in February or March
• One in August or September

Preference will be given to those applicants who fulfil the following minimum requirements (please check before applying):

Bachelor’s degree in marine biology or a related discipline, or a minimum of three years experience in university-level science, especially in biology and chemistry

• Familiarity with water testing, laboratory and/or microscopy procedures
• Experience in animal handling or husbandry
• PADI Open water SCUBA certification or equivalent

Successful applicants should also be in good physical condition, be able to commit to five days/week for the full 6-month internship period, and be able to provide their own financial support, housing, and transportation. Reef HQ Aquarium provides assistance with occupational training visas for successful overseas applicants.

While these internships are unpaid, the opportunity for skill and knowledge development is excellent. In addition, where possible, Reef HQ can cooperate with colleges and universities to obtain course credit upon completion of the internship.

How to apply

Applications for positions beginning in February/March are due by no later than November 25.

Applications for positions beginning in August/September are due no later than May 25.

To apply, you must provide the following materials (incomplete applications will not be considered):

1. A formal cover letter that includes:

• Name, nationality and contact information
• University affiliation, address, and academic qualifications and program
• Specific interests and motivation for applying
• Previous relevant experience.

Tentative schedule of availability or preferred start date

2. A current résumé or curriculum vitae that includes three academic or professional references with their up-to-date contact information

3. An official letter of recommendation from a current faculty member or supervisor who is familiar with your internship-related interests and skills

Submit your application by mail to:

Water Quality Officer
Reef HQ Aquarium
2-68 Flinders Street
Townsville, QLD 4810
AUSTRALIA

Alternatively, you may submit your documents via email to: internships@reefhq.com.au.