Banyan Tree offers two kinds of internships based on the qualifications, experience and needs of the applicant. Internships are offered for applicants with relevant skills and experience on a longer term basis, while Trainee Internships are offered for enthusiastic persons for a shorter period of time. Both work closely with our local teams, assisting with all aspects of daily operations including conservation and research data collection, environmental education programs, guided snorkels and reef restoration efforts. Daily operations may require working long or flexible hours, often with long periods of time in the water. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, and applicants will be contacted about internship opportunities as they become available. All interns are responsible for covering their own travel to and from the placement location.

Internships
Internships are offered to qualified participants to gain valuable scientific field and research experience. Interns live on site 6-12 months in provided staff accommodation with full board. These positions provide the opportunity to enhance research and project coordination, data management and analysis, plus written and oral presentation skills. Additional experience is gained through working closely as part of the Marine Lab team and providing basic program support including but not limited to:

• Plan and deliver program activities
• Assist with research project data collection
• Prepare and deliver educational materials and presentations
• Interact with guests, guide snorkels and educational citizen science programs
• Assist with administrative or logistical tasks such as data logging, record keeping, inventories and maintenance as requested
• Participate in report preparation including data processing, analysis and writing as requested
• Participate in community activities as requested
• At all times work to ensure good guest and staff relations

Interns will work closely with a local mentor to design and conduct their own research project in conjunction with the goals and objectives of Banyan Tree’s research and conservation initiatives within biological, social or physical sciences. Interns will report to the Director of Conservation or the Lab Coordinator as appropriate. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Minimum
• BA/BS in related field
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member and independently
• At least 6 months experience in relevant field and region
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel
• Good communication skills in English, both verbal and written
Preferred (note: training can be provided
• Masters degree in related field
• Experience with relevant data collection protocols
• 1 year field experience relevant to position
• In country or regional experience
• 1 publication in a peer-reviewed journal
• Competent with statistical software such as R
To apply, email your CV with two references (minimum of one academic).

Trainee Internship
Trainee internships are offered as an experiential introduction to working in conservation and are an excellent way to develop an interest in the environment as a budding citizen scientist, to assist researchers and help conservation efforts. Offered to enthusiastic persons over the age of 18, these short term (2-4 week) internships will provide volunteers with an opportunity to develop their knowledge resulting in a sound understanding of the local environment and broad ecological concepts. Trainees are required to pay for their room, with meals provided for free in the staff canteen. All training is provided, and trainee interns will assist the conservation team in daily operations and research including but not limited to:
• Deliver program activities
• Assist with research project data collection
• Interact with guests, guide and assist with citizen science programs
• Assist with administrative or logistical tasks such as data logging, record keeping, inventories and maintenance as requested
• Participate in community activities as requested

Trainees will report to the Lab Coordinator, and must meet the following requirements:
Minimum
• Must be over 18
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental issues
• Willingness to work flexible hours
• Good communication skills in English, both verbal and written
Preferred
• Current dive certification (Advanced Open Water) including DAN insurance where relevant
• Tertiary education
To apply, email us and provide a personal letter of recommendation.

For more information : csr@banyantree.com

Banyan Tree supports research in the biological, social and physical sciences to better understand processes and change, and to inform appropriate conservation and management strategies. We offer a range of opportunities that are structured to support interested parties including collaborating academics, graduate students, students seeking to conduct dissertation research, and enthusiasts seeking research experience. The benefits of these opportunities, beyond access to local ecosystems, include on site room and board plus logistical support.

Academic Researchers
Research projects will be considered that meet and support the goals and objectives of Banyan Tree’s research and conservation initiatives within biological, physical or social sciences. Project applications first require a completed Expression of interest and an academic resume. Expressions of Interest are accepted year round. Upon acceptance and confirmation, project applications require the completion of a short proposal with each considered on their relevance and impact, and the ability and experience of the researcher(s) to conduct the research and deliver outputs. Large scale projects across multiple locations, visits or years are welcomed based on the merit of the project. Project topics may include but are not limited to: ecosystem studies, environmental monitoring, marine or fish ecology, protected species, stock assessments, oceanography, climate studies and social sciences.

Visitors are required to cover costs of personal travel and equipment transportation to and from the hosting location, plus health and dive insurance as required. For long term projects, secure on-site equipment storage can be provided. All research projects must comply with ethical standards and have appropriate permits and permissions, with local staff able to facilitate the permit application process. Prior to project commencement, visiting researchers are required to sign an agreement acknowledging data ownership and access which takes in to consideration legitimate interests of the participants and any constraints pertaining to data protection and intellectual property rights.

Student Researchers
Researchers enrolled as full time students are welcome to conduct data collection for their dissertation at Banyan Tree locations. The timing and duration of research visits requires consideration of availability at the host location, and space will be prioritized in order of academic researchers > PhD and Masters students > marine biology internships and undergraduate dissertation research students. Masters and Undergraduate student research projects may have a maximum of 90 days field work permitted in a single visit. PhD student projects may require multiple visits, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. It is important for students to provide enough time in the planning phase to ensure availability of placement, as well as suitability of research topic and methods. Depending on the research topic and level of study, students can receive mentoring on-site, including data collection, management and statistical analysis.

Students should send a cover letter with their CV, copies of academic transcripts and two references (with at least one academic).

For more information : csr@banyantree.com

As a socially responsible business, Banyan Tree embraces the environment as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program. Banyan Tree conducts environmental projects guided by a strategy of identified key issues (climate change, land use change, increasing human population and invasive species), that address local priority habitats (e.g. coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, rainforest etc) and species (e.g. functionally or ecologically important, threatened or endangered species). These projects contribute towards our conservation, restoration and education programmes, with outputs shared to benefit local management and understanding.

Our efforts are supported by our sustainable financing mechanism, the “Green Imperative Fund”, whereby those staying at our locations can opt-in and contribute towards our environmental efforts. However, we could always do more, and if you wish to donate towards our efforts please send us a message!