Marine Conservation Research Assistants

With 4 years of experience in Cambodia and a fully operational team of experienced, Marine biologists, Marine ecologists and environmental scientists Marine Conservation Cambodia welcomes international research assistants looking to gain practical conservation and research experience in the field, you can get involved our ongoing Marine research programs,  community development projects and obtain your scuba diving qualifications while experiencing life on a beautiful Cambodian island. We need your help and you can really make a difference using our established conservation network. Many of our past interns and volunteers have either continued on to successfully complete their education or moved directly on into full time marine research or conservation work using the practical experience they gained with us. 

If you are a non-diver, our experienced PADI instructors can train you up to PADI Advanced open Water Level within the first two weeks of your stay, after which you will be ready for training in underwater marine survey techniques so you can start collecting data as a marine researcher. You will not only gain personal skills and experience, but the data you collect go’s directly toward the development and maintenance of Cambodia’s First Marine Protected Area.

Diving Qualifications and skills you will gain include:



PADI Open Water


PADI Advanced Open Water

Marine Survey skills including, advanced reef and benthic habitat monitoring, marine species abundance and distribution monitoring.

Experience in our specialty Seahorse research covering behavior, distribution and breeding. (Further Dive training is available on request)

Daily Life
:

The project is located on a beautiful untouched island 24km from the main port of Sihanoukville in the bay of Kampong Som, this is where you will experience genuine Cambodian life and culture well away from the main tourist areas, you will be living alongside long staying, passionate and enthusiastic staff. This is a unique opportunity if you are passionate about conservation and want to learn more about our oceans, you can experience first hand conservation and marine research work in a newly developing country and work with a wonderful proactive local community towards effective and sustainable conservation.

Other Activities and Highlights:


In addition to the marine research conservation and PADI training, you also have the opportunity to get involved in the following ongoing activities:

Living and working on one of the last Island paradises in South East Asia

Assiting our English teacher at our small village .

Health care for those with experience.

Beach and Village clean ups

Socializing with the local villagers

Visits to other untouched and pristine Islands

Cultural trips to other island communities

Local community projects such as building school playgrounds, village incinerators and community gardens

Your stay is only limited by your enthusiasm, motivation and imagination, and our job is to help you fulfill your potential, so that Cambodia’s ocean and island communities benefit from your stay.

The longer you stay the harder it is to leave, the experience is once in a lifetime and worth every second :)

Travel and Accommodation
 Transport from Phnom Penh International Airport can be arranged to take you directly to our project base, taking 1-2 days travel by bus and boat. Alternatively you can make your own way leisurely to Sihanoukville where you will be met by one of our team.

Accommodation consists of a beach bungalows that sleeps 4 people very comfortably located right on the beach at our project base (the view is amazing). Each bungalow has its own shared bathroom facilities and western style toilets. All meals are cooked by our local Khmer staff and so far most people put the onsite Khmer food down as one of the highlights of their stay. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or intolerances when you make your decision to join us.

If you want to stay somewhere a bit more private you have the option of the community owned bungalows with a sunset view, just a short walk from the project HQ. The price will depend on your length of stay and the money will go directly to the local community.

Requirements
*

For this program a Minimum 4 weeks commitment is needed,
 shorter stays can be arranged but be warned it only gives you a taste of what we do.

Be adaptable to different cultures and able to live and work in simple conditions
.

Good physical fitness
 is needed for the diving and marine activities.

For your PADI courses a medical statement from your physician. (A diving medical form will be emailed to you once you decide to join our team) 


Conversational English
 would be helpful but we have a multilingual team and its easy to fit in.

Full travel & medical insurance with diving and non-diving emergencies is highly recommended,

You should get all necessary vaccinations
 before coming to Cambodia.

You must have a Cambodian Visa to enter Cambodia (we can provide the necessary work placement letter if required)


Enthusiasm!

Dates of Arrival

As our programs are well established, we don't limit you to having to arrive on any given date, our staff instructors and trainers adapt to suit your needs and help to get you involved in the real work as soon after you arrive as possible. With so many different aspects of marine research and community development going on its not hard to quickly find your place and start to enjoy being part of Cambodia's most proactive marine conservation organisation.