Research for degrees
Join a team of passionate marine researchers with our Research Thesis Placement program.
Photo By: Tomas Kotuc
Research Thesis Placement
Sharklife’s field station supports Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students in conducting research projects for thesis or dissertation purposes. This opportunity is specifically for students with an academic supervisory team who require fieldwork to meet the requirements of their degree program.
To get started, you’ll need to secure a research agreement with park management by submitting a detailed research proposal at least three months in advance. A minimum three-month stay at the field station is required to effectively implement and complete your project.
If you’re looking to gain experience or work on a project where the outcome is a report rather than a thesis or dissertation, our internship program may be a better fit. We’d be happy to guide you toward the best option for your goals.
WHAT TO EXPECT
3 -6 Months
From: $5 365
program details
- Overview
- Field Trips
- Scuba Surveys
- Data Analysis
- Workshops
- Costs
- Start Dates
At Sharklife, we work closely with your university supervisory team to guide and support you at every stage of your project. From proposal development to fieldwork and final analysis, we help ensure that your research not only fulfills academic requirements but also makes a tangible impact on marine ecosystem management. By aligning your project with the ongoing efforts of Sharklife and the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA), you’ll contribute to long-term conservation strategies while gaining valuable experience in a globally significant marine environment.
Students conducting a Marine Thesis Placement (Bachelor’s, MSc, PhD) in the MPA must submit a detailed research proposal to the management authority at least three months in advance to secure approval. This ensures that your project aligns with park priorities and contributes directly to their conservation goals. Additionally, any publications resulting from your research will need to be reviewed by park managers before submission, ensuring that your findings are integrated into local management strategies.
a typical participant may:
why join as student researcher:
These 2-to 6-hour boat based trips are dedicated to data collection and equipment exchanges that support the on=going projects at the Field Station. These excursions offer invaluable, hands-on experience in the marine environment, equipping you with practical skills and insights that will be highly beneficial for a wide range of ocean-based career paths.
Training and hands on experience with:
Conducted with our dive charter partner the SCUBA surveys are both fun and rewarding, taking place on the shallow coral reefs of Sodwana Bay, South Africa’s premier dive destination. With warm waters, clear visibility, and a rich diversity of marine life, Sodwana Bay offers an exceptional underwater experience. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of species, including tropical fish, turtles, and reef sharks. This program trains volunteer SCUBA divers to use the Roving Diver Technique (RDT), a visual survey method specifically designed for gathering data on reef fish populations. It’s a unique opportunity to contribute to marine conservation while exploring vibrant coral reefs.
Scuba surveys are to:
During your first 2-4 weeks, you will be introduced to key software and techniques used in marine research, including tools such as Stereo-BRUVs, remote underwater video systems (RUVs), and underwater visual census (UVC). during your Marine Thesis Placement you will gain hands-on experience with data collection and entry, which will serve as a foundation for your own research. However, the majority of the data analysis you undertake will be determined by the specific needs of your research project, allowing you to tailor your analysis to your thesis or dissertation goals.
Analysis Software You’ll Work With:
- I3S
- EventMeasure
- VUE
- SeaStar
- ODK Collect
- CoralNet
- QGIS
- R Studio
Your involvement in data analysis is crucial to producing meaningful insights, but the tools and techniques you use will largely depend on your project. Throughout your time at Sharklife, you will receive guidance in applying these techniques to ensure your research contributes to conservation goals while fulfilling your academic requirements.
During the first two weeks of the Marine Thesis Placement you will participate in both office-based workshops and in-field practicals. These sessions will equip you with a strong theoretical foundation and hands-on training in marine research methods. You will play an active role in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data that supports management of the MPA. Each module is carefully structured to ensure you gain expertise in both the classroom and the field.
workshops you will have:
Sharks and Rays of the MPA
In this workshop, you will learn about the various species of sharks and rays found within the MPA, including their behaviors, habitats, and the challenges they face. The module will also cover their ecological roles and the strategies the MPA uses to protect them.
Introduction to Stereo-BRUVs
This workshop introduces Stereo-BRUVS technology, its setup, and applications in marine research. You’ll learn the 3D calibration process for accurate measurements, use software tools for data processing, and gain hands-on experience deploying the units in the field. The course covers data analysis techniques, including species identification and population estimation, culminating in a case study monitoring key species in the MPA.
RUVS (Remote Underwater Video Systems)
This workshops begins with an introduction to RUVS and its importance in marine monitoring. You’ll learn how to set up the RUVS system for field deployment, explore MaxN for species counting, use I3S for individual identification, and get familiar with RUVS software tools. The course also covers data analysis techniques, focusing on species identification and abundance estimation. In-field practical sessions involve setting up and operating RUVS for data collection. Finally, you’ll apply your knowledge in a case study on ragged-tooth sharks, contributing to population and movement assessments within the MPA.
UVC (Underwater Visual Census)
This course introduces the principles of underwater visual census (UVC) and freediving surveys for marine species monitoring. You’ll learn how to set up and prepare the necessary equipment for UVC freediving surveys and use software tools to collect and analyze data. Additional training includes fish identification and an introduction to the REEF Citizen Science Program. In-field practicals involve conducting UVC surveys to gather data on fish and elasmobranch species. Finally, you’ll apply your skills in a case study, analyzing UVC data to monitor ragged-tooth sharks and other species within the MPA, supporting conservation efforts.
Rocky Shores Monitoring
This workshop introduces long-term monitoring techniques for rocky shore ecosystems, focusing on the use of temperature loggers and photo quadrats. You’ll learn how to set up the necessary equipment, use software tools for data collection and analysis, and participate in practical fieldwork to collect real-time data. Finally, you’ll apply your skills in a case study, analyzing rocky shore ecosystem data to inform management decisions within the MPA.
As with many training and experience-building programs, there are costs involved, however when boating and open ocean data collection is involved the costs increase substantially. Sharklife is a non-profit organization and all funds are used to further the aims of the organization, your involvement directly supports the functions of the Field Station.
costs:
| Duration: | Amount: | Per Week: |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Months | $5 365 | $447 |
| 4 Months | $6 281 | $393 |
| 5 Months | $7 117 | $356 |
| 6 Months | $7 873 | $328 |
Costs include
costs exclude
* Meals – The research accommodation has a fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. There are regular trips to the local supermarket where you can purchase all common food items. Alternatively, there is a restaurant across the road where you can order lunch and dinner from a large menu.
Cost Structure Explanation
At Sharklife, our pricing for interns reflects the high costs involved in running a remote marine field station.
Initial Weeks: The first few weeks of your stay not only include the high costs of airport transfers but also include scientific workshops, lectures, and scuba courses if required. This intensive training period is essential for equipping you with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to our monitoring and research efforts.
Extended Stays: We encourage students to stay for longer periods because, as you gain more experience, you can take on more responsibilities and assist with a wider range of tasks. To incentivize longer stays and recognize your increased skill sets, we reduce the costs progressively after the initial 4 weeks, making the program more affordable. By structuring the costs this way, we aim to provide a high-quality educational experience while also fostering long-term commitment and contribution to the conservation projects.
Given the distance of 200kms (2hrs) to the airport we have to synchronize the pick-up and drop-off of students, so we have airport trips every 2 weeks. The dates of airport transfers are in the table below. Please book your flights to arrive at Richards Bay Airport by 13:00pm on the arrival day and depart RB airport after 11:00am on your departure day to give us time to get to/from the airport. If you cant make these dates let us know and we will try our best to accommodate other dates.
Click here to find pick-up and drop-off dates.
Just some of the Universities we host interns from:
Past Student Research projects
Sharklife has supported past interns with a diverse range of research projects, from Bachelor’s theses to PhD dissertations, enriching our understanding of marine ecosystems in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA).
The incidence of Humans Whaler Shark C.humani on the KZN coast
Student Name: Nico Booyens
Level: Honors
Institution: UKZN
Primary Method: Mono BRUVs
Publication
Stereo-BRUV survey of Elasmobranch diversity in ISWP (Area 1)
Student Name: Laylaa Sampaio
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: UKZN
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Stereo-BRUV assessment of the seasonal diversity, relative abundance, and distribution of sharks and rays in a shallow sandy habitat
Student Name: Jessica Ferreira
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: Aveiro
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Publication
Distribution patterns of pregnant, Carcharias taurus in the ISWP
Student Name: Sara Cerqueira
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: Aveiro
Primary Method: UVC/Stereo DOV
Describing the ecology and population dynamics of non-nesting sea turtles in the ISWP
Student Name: Natalie Dos Santos
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: NMU
Primary Method: UVC/RUV
Sightings and population dynamics of manta rays in the ISWP
Student Name: Michelle Carpenter
Level: PhD
Institution: UCT
Primary Method: UVC/RUV
Wintertime assessment of elasmobranch diversity in the ISWP using stereo-BRUVs (Area 2)
Student Name: Julie Alberts
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: University of Miami
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
A wintertime assessment of Elasmobranchs and Osteichthyes species in the ISWP (Area 3)
Student Name: Sarah Head
Level: MSc/Internship Report
Institution: Northeastern University Boston
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
An assessment of the diversity and abundance of benthic rays in the ISWP
Student Name: Silvia Leva
Level: MSc/Internship Report
Institution: Milano
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Assessment of spatial distribution & demography of Elasmobranches in the ISWP
Student Name: Henry Garber
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: University of Edinburgh
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Seasonal comparison of abundance and diversity of elasmobranchs (Area 4)
Student Name: Carlo Gargioni
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: Milano
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Elasmobranch spatial ecology in a global biodiversity hotspot (All Areas)
Student Name: Steve Gerber
Level: PhD
Institution: NMU
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs/eDNA
Assessment of environmental factors influencing arrival times of elasmobranch species using Baited Remote Underwater Video surveys (BRUVs) (iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Area 1)
Student Name: Molly Tarling
Level: BSc thesis
Institution: Plymouth
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Small-scale habitat characterization of four potential seasonal aggregation sites of Spotted ragged-tooth shark (iSimangaliso Wetland Park)
Student Name: Eleanor Gillion Webb
Level: Internship Report
Institution: Cardiff
Primary Method: UVC
Seasonality, habitat use, and demography of new species Carcharhinus humani in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Student Name: Beatrice Terracciano
Level: Report
Institution: University of Padua
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Influence of teleost fish on the abundance and distribution of sharks in the ISWP
Student Name: Felix Hinsch
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: University of Rostock
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Comparing target teleost diversity and relative abundance with elasmobranchs in different management zones in the ISWP
Student Name: Anna Buchwald
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: University of Gothenburg
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Assessing the influence of a sub-marine canyon on elasmobranch diversity and relative abundance
Student Name: Frida Persson
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: University of Gothenburg
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs
Assessing the influence of recreational shore angling on elasmobranchs along the South African coastline
Student Name: Josefin Lindell
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: University of Gothenburg
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs/Social Media
Demography of Rhynchobatus djiddensis and the use of non-invasive methods for photo-identification
Student Name: Niall O Reilly
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: Dublin
Primary Method: Stereo BRUVs/RUV/UVC
Assessing the influence of divers on Spotted ragged-tooth sharks (C.taurus) at well-known aggregation sites
Student Name: Jacob Hammargren
Level: BSc/Thesis
Institution: University of Gothenburg
Primary Method: RUVs
Soundscape Analysis and Characterisation of Sodwana Bays Coral Reef System
Student Name: Shahir Ramndit
Level: MSc/Thesis
Institution: UKZN
Primary Method: Hydrophone/RUV
why support sharklife ?
real conservation
The Sharklife Field Station directly supports local management authorities that face challenges in securing adequate resources, limiting their ability to conduct effective wildlife monitoring. Despite these constraints, monitoring remains a key element of successful wildlife management, and we work to bridge this gap.
impactful research
Sharklife conducts research and monitoring projects that provide much needed long term ecological data that highlights areas for further investigation, and informs management strategies for marine species within the iSimangaliso MPA.
non-profit organisation
Sharklife Conservation Group has been a registered non-profit organisation for the last 20 years (No. 064-326-NPO). Having this organisational status means all profits are put directly back into the organisation to achieve its goals.
community outreach
The field station is situated in Sodwana Bay which is a rural under-resourced area facing many challenges. Through social and environmental programs Sharklife interns work to improve the lives of the people living here.
Photo: Tomas Kotuc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process for conducting independent research in the iSimangaliso MPA?
If you wish to conduct independent research for your degree in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA), you will need to apply for a research agreement with the park management. This involves submitting a detailed research proposal at least three months in advance for review. The proposal must meet ethical standards, minimize environmental impact, and align with park management’s conservation objectives.
How long should I stay to complete my research?
A minimum stay of three months is required to conduct research, although six months is ideal. This duration ensures sufficient time for training on methods, data collection, and analysis.
Will I receive guidance for my research project?
Yes, Sharklife offers comprehensive support throughout your research project, from proposal development to thesis refinement. We also provide field assistance during data collection trips. However, it’s essential to have a strong university supervisor to guide the academic aspects of your project.
What research methods and tools will I use?
You will be trained to use various research tools, including stereo-BRUVs, remote underwater video systems (RUVs), underwater visual census (UVC), and other equipment depending on your project needs. You’ll also receive training in software like QGIS, R Studio, and EventMeasure to analyze your data.
Will I be involved in data collection and analysis?
Absolutely. During your first few weeks, you will be introduced to key data collection techniques used in marine research. While the majority of your analysis will depend on your specific project, you will have access to Sharklife’s monitoring data and equipment for data collection. You will also be responsible for analyzing the data you collect to fulfill both your academic and conservation objectives.
What kind of support does Sharklife provide?
Sharklife assists with various aspects of the research process, from helping you navigate the park management’s research approval process to providing field and data analysis support. However, it’s important that you communicate your specific degree requirements and the level of support needed, so we can tailor our assistance accordingly.
How does Sharklife handle research ethics and data retention?
All research conducted in the iSimangaliso MPA must adhere to strict ethical guidelines. Your research must have minimal environmental impact, and all data collected will be retained by the park management to support future conservation efforts. Additionally, any publications resulting from your research must be submitted to park management for review before being published.
Can I meet with the Sharklife team to discuss my project needs?
Yes, we encourage you to meet with us to discuss your research needs in detail. This includes the level of support required, your degree structure, and any specific academic requirements. This helps us ensure that your project aligns with both Sharklife’s conservation objectives and your degree goals.
testimonials
My time at Sharklife was, without a doubt, the best experience of my life. From the knowledge I gained about marine science to the people I met, Sodwana Bay and Sharklife have become my favorite places in the world. As a recent university graduate, I went in hoping to deepen my understanding of marine biology and shark research—and I learned so much. I never imagined I’d connect so deeply with people from all over the world, and I’m so grateful to have made lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories.