Marine Thesis Placement
Formal degree research that takes a clear question through study design, high-quality data and scientific interpretation.
Photo: Tomáš Kotuč
What is a Thesis Placement?
Sharklife Thesis Placements support Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students undertaking formal research that contributes to Sharklife’s existing research programmes.
Rather than accepting unrelated research proposals, Sharklife identifies thesis-scale questions from current project priorities, available datasets and defined research needs. Suitable students then work on a focused component that can satisfy their degree requirements while moving the wider research programme forward.
Formal academic supervision and assessment remain with the student’s university. Sharklife provides project direction, local scientific context, agreed datasets or field opportunities, and practical field-station support.
Research activities must operate within all applicable project approvals, permits and institutional requirements. Research conducted within the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area requires prior approval from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority through the appropriate Research Agreement process.
Where appropriate, Sharklife may also help connect the project with a local co-supervisor or specialist collaborator.
From a Research Question to Scientific Interpretation
Strong analysis cannot rescue weak field data.
Good science begins with a clear question. That question determines what needs to be measured, how observations should be collected and what study design is capable of answering it.
A Thesis Placement follows that full scientific pathway. Students work from a defined research question through study design, data collection or preparation, quality control, analysis and interpretation.
The emphasis remains on the connection between each stage. A defensible conclusion depends on appropriate methods, accurate records and data of sufficient quality to support the analysis that follows.
Question. Design. Collect. Check. Analyse. Interpret.
How Thesis Projects Are Developed
Projects begin with a genuine research need and are shaped into a scientifically defensible thesis that fits the student’s degree.
1. Research Question
Sharklife identifies a useful question within an existing research project, dataset or conservation priority. The question must be focused enough to answer within the available degree timeframe.
Outcome: A clearly defined question with a genuine scientific purpose.
2. Study Design
The student, university supervisor and Sharklife define the datasets, sampling approach, field requirements and analytical pathway needed to answer the question.
Outcome: A feasible design that links the research question to the data required to answer it.
3. Data & Quality Control
The project may use an existing dataset, require new field data, or combine both. Records, metadata and quality checks are treated as part of the research process rather than an afterthought.
Outcome: A documented dataset suitable for the planned analysis.
4. Analysis & Interpretation
The student analyses the data within the agreed academic framework, evaluates limitations and interprets what the results actually support.
Outcome: A thesis or dissertation that contributes a useful scientific output to the wider project.
Where the work produces a strong and useful result, publication or another research output may be pursued with the relevant academic and project collaborators. Publication is not guaranteed.
Roles & Responsibilities
A Thesis Placement is a collaboration, but academic supervision, field support and student responsibility remain clearly defined.
Your University
- Provides formal academic supervision.
- Confirms degree requirements and academic standards.
- Approves the project within the degree programme.
- Guides the academic analysis and thesis process.
- Assesses the thesis or dissertation.
Sharklife
- Identifies priority thesis questions within existing research programmes.
- Provides local scientific context and helps assess field feasibility.
- Provides access to agreed datasets or field opportunities where appropriate.
- Supports relevant field methods, logistics and data workflows.
- May help identify a suitable local co-supervisor or specialist collaborator.
The Student
- Undertakes the research as part of their registered degree.
- Works within the agreed research question and project scope.
- Complies with all applicable research approvals and field procedures.
- Maintains accurate research records, metadata and data management.
- Completes the analysis and academic outputs required by the university.
Research Approvals & Permissions
Research may only begin once all approvals required for that project are in place.
Any research conducted within the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area requires prior approval from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority through the appropriate Research Agreement process. Research activities in the MPA may not begin until that agreement is in place.
Additional requirements may include university ethics approval, DFFE research permits or other project-specific authorisations. These depend on the species, methods and nature of the research.
Sharklife reviews these requirements with the student, university supervisor and relevant collaborators during project planning so the necessary approvals can be identified before fieldwork is scheduled.
Students should contact Sharklife early in project development so feasibility, timelines and approvals can be addressed before research activities are planned.
Field Station Support
Support is matched to the needs of the approved research project rather than delivered as a fixed programme timetable.
Research Data
Where a project is built around an existing Sharklife dataset, the relevant data component, data structure and expected outputs are agreed before the placement begins.
Fieldwork
Where new field data are required, Sharklife can provide local logistics, field-method support and access to agreed equipment once the applicable research approvals are in place.
Methods & Data Workflows
Students may receive practical guidance on relevant field methods, metadata, data preparation, quality control and appropriate analytical workflows. The exact tools depend on the project.
Research Network
Projects may involve Sharklife collaborators, specialist researchers or local co-supervisors where their expertise strengthens the scientific work.
Placement Length & Costs
There is no single standard duration for a Thesis Placement. The time required depends on the research design, dataset, field component and degree requirements.
Costs are confirmed once the project scope is clear. A quotation can include accommodation, agreed field logistics, local transport, field-station support and other project-specific requirements.
Contact us with your degree level, university supervisor and research interests. We can then discuss whether one of Sharklife’s current thesis topics is a suitable fit.
Quick Thesis Placement Questions
Can I bring my own research idea?
Usually not as a standalone project. Thesis topics are selected from Sharklife’s existing research priorities, datasets and project needs. Your university supervisor can then work with Sharklife to shape an appropriate thesis question within that framework.
Do I need a university supervisor?
Yes. Thesis Placements are for students undertaking formal degree research under an academic supervisory structure.
Will I need to collect new data?
Not always. Some projects are designed around existing Sharklife datasets, while others may include an approved field component where new data are needed.
Can the work lead to publication?
Potentially. Where the research produces a strong and useful result, Sharklife and the relevant academic collaborators may pursue a publication or other research output. Publication is not guaranteed.
Just some of the universities we host students from:
Testimonials
“My time at Sharklife was truly a unique and unforgettable experience. I got to experience so many incredible moments, from diving and swimming with a wide variety of marine species to learning more about marine science and meeting so many wonderful people.”
Emma - 2026
“My time at Sharklife was amazing! The staff are so kind and I loved learning from them and seeing how what we’re doing contributed to real life research.”
Erin - 2026
“My six-month internship at Sharklife was a truly unique experience. I would like to thank the entire team for their dedication and passion. Sharing their knowledge and expertise about the marine environment allowed me to learn so much about a world that we still know so little about. The incredible biodiversity of the Sodwana reefs gave me the opportunity to carry out my personal project under the best possible conditions. This site is undoubtedly one of the most pristine and biodiverse in the world, and the encounters this environment offers are ones you will never forget.”
Jules - 2026
“Being part of Sharklife has been a great privilege. The opportunity to dive in Sodwana Bay, one of the healthiest and most biodiverse reefs I have visited, uniquely combines the joy of exploration with rigorous science. Exploring these ecosystems while learning sampling techniques—BRUV, RUV, acoustic monitoring, and underwater visual census—has provided me with invaluable experience and a solid foundation in marine research. Collaborating and becoming part of the Sharklife family has been an honour. This internship has meant growth—both professional and personal—that extends far beyond the academic.”
Pau - 2026
“My time at Sharklife was invaluable. As an inexperienced student, I was welcomed into a dedicated and enthusiastic team that introduced me to what conservation and marine science are all about. I’m sure I’ll be coming back for my Master’s thesis!”
Lola - 2026
“My time at Sharklife was completely transformative to how I approach everything now. My love for diving and science grew tenfold, and I got to experience that among friends for life. Sharklife was able to take me on extremely short notice and they accommodated me perfectly and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. I already know that I want to come back!”
Rio - 2026
Discuss a Thesis Placement
Tell us your degree level, university, academic supervisor and broad research interests. If you already have a proposal, concept note or university research requirements, include them with your enquiry. We will review whether one of Sharklife’s current research priorities offers a suitable thesis opportunity.