Marine Research Internship
Community of Arran Seabed Trust
POSITION TITLE: Marine Research Internship
REPORTS TO: COAST Skipper and MPA Project Officer
DURATION: Minimum 8 weeks consecutive; available May - September
HOURS: 37.5 hours a week (may include some weekend work and evenings as
required).
LOCATION: COAST Discovery Centre, Lamlash, Isle of Arran
Do you have the skills and enthusiasm to help COAST with research activities onboard their research vessel RV COAST Explorer, and citizen science research and data collection activities within Arran’s marine protected areas and elsewhere around Arran? We are seeking full-time volunteers to assist with this work during our busy seasonal period.
Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)
Based on the Isle of Arran, COAST is a multi-award-winning marine conservation charity working to restore the health and diversity of Arran’s inshore waters. Embedded in and driven by our island community we established Scotland's first and only community-led No Take Zone (2008), have driven forward the designation of the South Arran Marine Protected Area (2014) and its protection from seabed dredge fishing (2016), opened the COAST Discovery Centre (2018) and launched our research vessel RV COAST Explorer (2022).
COAST is a small organisation with an enthusiastic staff and volunteer team committed to the full realisation of the environmental, social and economic potential of our MPA and the progressive development of Clyde marine management. RV COAST Explorer is an exciting and important new asset for COAST to help us achieve our goals, providing unique opportunities to connect people with our seas and expanding opportunities for marine survey and research.
2025 is set to be a busy and exciting year as we celebrate 30 years of COAST and look to develop our citizen science research activities and boat-based public engagement, amongst many other activities planned for the year.
Main duties
The volunteer will provide key support to all of COAST’s research activities, both shore and boat based, including assisting COAST’s skipper in the research and engagement operations of RV COAST Explorer. You will be caring for and helping operate COAST’s research and survey equipment, enabling effective collection and management of research data including post-survey data handling. The role will also support visitor engagement activities ensuring that participants have a welcoming and positive experience.
This role will require regular periods on board RV COAST Explorer undertaking practical tasks related to research and engagement activities, as well as shore-based field work activities. Alongside this, the role will involve preparation, routine maintenance, post-use after care of research equipment and data management.
Where possible and as need dictates, we will ask you to support visitor engagement for COAST’s wider outreach offering including, but not limited to, assisting at the COAST Discovery Centre, shore scrambles, community events and snorkelling sessions. In addition, you may be asked to assist with:
- Survey, research and event planning/organisation/logistics.
- Operation of the COAST diving air compressor.
- Developing content (written, visual and audio-visual) and uploading to our website and social media channels.
- Survey and research database development and maintenance.
- General administrative tasks supporting boat and research activities.
- Assisting with any other designated tasks to support the COAST team.
Additional opportunities tailored to the individual based on personal interest and suitability to COAST, will be considered if feasible.
About Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)
COAST’s mission is to protect and restore a diverse, abundant and beautiful marine environment
for everyone in Arran, the Clyde and Scotland.
We aim to: improve the local marine environment for the benefit of everyone; ensure coastal communities have a say in the decisions that affect their seas; work to sustain the livelihood of those dependent on fishing and tourism; increase the popularity of Arran and the Clyde as a diving, watersports and tourist destination and educate future generations on the need for marine conservation and how to make a difference.
COAST’s mission is to protect and restore a diverse, abundant and beautiful marine environment for everyone in Arran, the Clyde and Scotland. We aim to: improve the local marine environment for the benefit of everyone; ensure coastal communities have a say in the decisions that affect their seas; work to sustain the livelihood of those dependent on fishing and tourism; increase the popularity of Arran and the Clyde as a diving, watersports and tourist destination and educate future generations on the need for marine conservation and how to make a difference.
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