Becoming an Academic Intern

ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPS AT MCC

Are you passionate about the ocean and eager to gain real-world experience in marine conservation, marine science, and field-based research?
As an intern, you’ll work closely with our conservation team, gain valuable hands-on fieldwork skills, and pursue your own research project. Whether you’re conducting underwater data collection through diving, completing transects, working with real datasets, or learning practical data analysis, you’ll be building solid scientific skills while contributing to Cambodia’s marine conservation efforts.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

Our internships are flexible and can be tailored to meet your academic requirements while aligning with MCC’s conservation strategy. Some students join us with clearly defined research goals, while others explore different aspects of our conservation work, such as research diving, ecological monitoring, data collection, and analysis. All proposed projects must be discussed and approved in advance to ensure they are feasible, relevant to our mission, and supported with appropriate supervision.

You will be paired with a field supervisor who will be your main point of contact throughout your internship. Interns are expected to work both independently and as part of a team, and to contribute to ongoing MCC projects alongside their individual research. While our core expertise is in marine conservation, we remain open to broader research topics when capacity allows; however, specialist supervision may not always be available.

REQUIREMENTS

Academic internships focus on training future leaders in marine conservation and research. These placements are more intensive than our volunteer programs and are intended for prospective students with a strong academic background and a demonstrated passion for the field.
If you’re primarily looking to gain hands-on conservation experience within one of our ongoing projects, you may prefer to join us as a volunteer instead.

For our academic internship program, we are looking for motivated people who are:

• Available for a minimum of three months
• Adaptable and open to new experiences
• Capable of working independently
• Team players who thrive in collaborative field environments
• Driven by a passion for marine conservation and motivated to make a meaningful impact
• Willing to work during early mornings and late evenings when fieldwork requires it
• Ready to contribute to daily island upkeep outside normal working hours (e.g., washing dishes, cleaning communal areas)
• Dedicated, motivated, and hard-working
• Preferably university students or recent graduates, though this is not strictly required

DIVING REQUIREMENTS

Many of our surveys take place underwater, so having a SCUBA certification is good but not required. If you are not yet certified, you can complete all necessary training directly on our island with our full-time dive instructor.

We offer training in:

· SSI Open Water

· Buoyancy and navigation training
(essential foundations for participating in underwater surveys)

· SSI Advanced Open Water

· Rescue Diver and Dive Master

Whether you arrive certified or plan to learn here, our team will ensure you gain the skills needed to safely and confidently join our marine conservation work.

HOW YOU CAN APPLY

STEP 1 – YOUR RESEARCH TOPIC

Start by exploring our ongoing projects to see whether they align with your academic interests. You are also welcome to develop your own research questions, and you can refer to our list of suggested topics for inspiration.

With over 10 years of experience supporting marine biologists, ecologists, and environmental scientists, MCC can train you in a wide range of field techniques. Our team will guide you through essential skills such as:

· Fish species identification and abundance assessments

· Invertebrate species identification and abundance assessments

· Substrate identification and health assessments

· Seagrass density surveys and species identification

· Seahorse species identification, behavior, and distribution monitoring

· Marine mammal monitoring, including abundance, distribution, and behavior

STEP 2 – YOUR APPLICATION

Once you have defined your research topic, please fill out the application form. After reviewing your submission, we will contact you by E-Mail. In some cases, we may request additional documents or invite you to an interview to discuss your project further.

If your application is approved, we will guide you through all necessary preparation steps, including visa arrangements, payment, transportation, and other logistics. Please stay in close communication with us throughout this process until you arrive on the island.

When submitting your application, make sure to attach your CV along with your research proposal and a letter of motivation. If you need support in choosing or shaping your research topic, you are welcome to contact us even before preparing a full proposal.

STEP 3 – FINALIZE YOUR PLACEMENT AND BEGIN YOUR INTERNSHIP

When your application is approved, we’ll support you through the remaining paperwork. This may include signing your internship contract, completing any documents required by your university, and confirming your research proposal. You will also be introduced to your assigned supervisor, who will accompany you throughout your internship.

After all documents and logistics are completed, you can make your way to Koh Ach Seh to begin your placement. Upon arrival, you will receive an orientation, settle into island life, and start your field training and research activities under the guidance of your supervisor and the MCC team.

STEP 4 – PRESENT YOUR RESULTS

At the end of your internship, we ask all interns, regardless of their institution’s requirements, to present their research findings to the MCC team, as well as to fellow interns and volunteers.

This final presentation helps you practice compiling, organizing, and communicating your results, which are essential skills for any scientist. It also allows your work to inspire others and encourages new ideas for future research and conservation initiatives.

Apply now

What they’re saying

Jasmine

29 UK

My three month internship with MCC has been my first hands-on experience within a marine based NGO, and it has completely opened my eyes and heart to the underwater world.

Life here emphasises simplicity alongside hard work, surrounded by beautiful scenery and a supportive community that truly feels like family. Every week brings new, meaningful experiences, from marine mammal fieldwork to community based conservation. You also have the option to obtain your scuba qualification here, which is truly invaluable, both for developing your own skills and for the opportunity to witness the underwater beauty that MCC has worked tirelessly to restore.

Alicia

22 Canada

My 5-month internship with MCC has been a very rewarding experience. The team is full of amazing scientists and staff that makes living and working on the island a genuine joy. Their passion for marine conservation and willingness to share their expertise makes MCC such a great environment to learn in. Throughout my time here I have been involved with the Seahorse Project and the Seagrass Project, both allowing me to gain more hands-on experience in marine conservation research and fieldwork. I have learned so much about different aspects of marine conservation that I’ve had no previous experience in before. Working across both projects has helped shape my perspective on what effective conservation work looks like. Not only did my research skills improve, but my confidence and skills as a diver have as well.
It was really important for me as a new graduate to gain practical experience to supplement what I’ve learned in school before deciding what to do next. I can confidently say that MCC has been a wonderful place to do this. Learning in such a supportive, hands-on environment has made the experience especially impactful.