You can download the pdf file of the work placements here
Archipelagos offers the opportunity for recent graduates and students to acquire practical experience, working within the framework of the organisation’s research and conservation work.
Placement duration is between 3 to 12 months, taking place in Archipelagos' research bases on islands in the eastern Aegean Sea.
Placements in the field of environmental research are offered to recent graduates and students of Marine, Environmental and Biological Sciences, as well as Geology, Agronomy and Chemistry/Biochemistry and related sciences.
Graduates and students of Multimedia, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Photography, Film making and other related art subjects, can also join the Archipelagos research team to produce educational, awareness-raising and promotional material.
Volunteers will be expected either to design and execute relevant projects or contribute to existing and ongoing projects.
The fields in which placements are offered:
1.Marine research & conservation (littoral ecosystem ecology, marine mammals, fisheries)
This placement focuses on the study of coastal ecosystem ecology in the eastern Aegean Sea. Current research and projects focus on several fields of activity:
• Visual-census surveys assessing the effects of factors impacting on littoral ecosystems.
• Collection and analysis of information/data on the ecology of fish, algae and invertebrate species of the Aegean.
• Study of marine mammal populations (migration, ecology, threats) through visual-census and acoustic observation
• Study of the productivity of small-scale fisheries
• Participation in various experimental applications and usage of experimental aquaria.
• Collection of information in related conservation activities for the development of environmental awareness within the local community.
• Visual-census surveys assessing fish, algae and invertebrate biodiversity of the littoral ecosystems.
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2.Forest and Freshwater ecosystem management
This placement focuses on research and conservation of the flora of the eastern Aegean islands, including:
• Field surveys assessing the biodiversity of forest ecosystems.
• Field surveys assessing the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems.
• Field surveys assessing the factors impacting island ecosystems.
• Projects combating the desertification of small islets
• Office work, including management proposals, as well as collecting/analysing information/data on the species recorded.
• Collection of information and participation in related conservation activities for the development of environmental awareness in the local communities.
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3.Research and conservation of island flora and fauna
This placement focuses on research of the flora and fauna of the eastern Aegean islands, including:
• Field surveys assessing island flora biodiversity
• Field surveys assessing the biodiversity of the resident and migratory bird populations.
• Field surveys assessing the biodiversity and ecology of reptile and amphibian populations
• Field surveys assessing the biodiversity and ecology of small mammal populations
• Experiments on the management of factors impacting island flora and fauna.
• Herbarium work.
• Office work, including preparation of management reports for the conservation of island fauna, as well as collecting/analysing information/data on the species recorded.
• Collection of information and participation in related conservation activities for the development of environmental awareness in the local communities.
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4.Agronomic research and Seed Bank projects
This placement focuses on agronomic research and seed bank projects.
Research on organic agriculture can include:
• Experimental application of organic agriculture practices.
• Recording of traditional agriculture techniques, practiced by the local communities of the Aegean islands.
Seed bank projects include:
• Collection, classification and analysis of seeds of Aegean island agricultural plant varieties, as well as from selected wild plant species.
• Experimental cultivation of seeds of local plant varieties for the study of their morphological characteristics and for seed propagation.
These projects also involve the collection of information, and participation in related conservation activities for the development of environmental awareness in the local communities.
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5.Chemical Assessment of Environmental Impacts
This placement focuses on chemical and microbiological analysis for scientific consultancy and control of anthropogenic pollution, the main fields of research are:
• Analysis of potable and marine water samples for their inorganic content
• Microbiological analysis of potable and marine water
• Analysis of soil samples for nutrient content
• Analysis of the chemical profiles of terrestrial plants, marine algae and invertebrates via Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) techniques
• Carrying out experiments (bioassays) using the chemical extracts from selected organisms
• Participation in other relevant experiments
• Collection of information and participation in related conservational activities for the development of environmental awareness in local communities
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6.GIS mapping of marine and terrestrial habitats and biodiversity
This placement focuses on the GIS analysis of data on marine and terrestrial biodiversity of the eastern Aegean Sea & islands, with fields of activity including:
• GIS analysis of data on the biodiversity of fauna and flora of the marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Production of GIS maps
• Collection of additional biodiversity data.
• Participation in relevant field experiments.
• Collection of information and participation in related conservation activities for the development of environmental awareness in the local communities.
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7.Applications of renewable energy sources
This placement focuses on the research and application of renewable energy sources, as well as raising public awareness for their use, with main fields of activity:
• Research on applications of renewable energy sources for the island communities, using solar, wind, river water, biomass and geothermal energy. Applications of the above on the research bases of Archipelagos.
• Research on the potential applications of renewable energy sources on ferrys.
• Creation of informational material and participation in related conservation activities with the aim of raising the public awareness in the island communities for the use of renewable energy sources.
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8.Illustration of flora and fauna of the Aegean Sea
This placement focuses on the illustration of species for use in posters, identification guides and environmental education material. The Aegean Sea boasts a high biodiversity of species and the illustrations produced will aid in identification for researchers and the general public and in raising awareness of biodiversity and conservation issues.
Main fields of activity are:
• Creation of black & white and colour illustrations of the marine species of the Greek seas, i.e. marine mammals, fish, algae and invertebrates.
• Creation of black & white and colour illustrations of the species of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and insects on the Aegean islands.
• Participation in field surveys when observation of the organisms to be drawn is necessary.
• Creation of illustrations on environmental conservation issues to be used for the development of environmental awareness in the local schools and communities.
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9.Graphic design for environmental awareness material
This placement focuses on graphic design of material related to the biodiversity and conservation of the environment.
Main fields of activity are:
• Design of material for lectures and presentations on the marine and terrestrial biodiversity of the Mediterranean.
• Booklet design presenting the species of marine organisms (mammals, turtles, fish, invertebrates and algae).
• Booklet design presenting terrestrial species of the islands (plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and insects).
• Poster design presenting the biodiversity of the special natural environment of the region.
• Poster design on various environmental issues.
• Design of other printed material on environmental issues for the development of environmental awareness in local schools & communities.
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10.Production of DVDs and animations on the environment
This placement focuses on the design of digital material (DVDs and animations) related to the biodiversity and conservation of the environment.
Main fields of activity are:
• Design of multimedia applications presenting the marine biodiversity (marine mammals, fish, algae and invertebrates) of the Greek seas and issues related to their ecology, behaviour and conservation.
• Design of multimedia applications presenting the biodiversity of Aegean island ecosystems (plants, insects, birds, reptiles and mammals) and issues related to their ecology, behaviour and conservation.
• Creation of animations on various environmental issues presenting biodiversity as well as factors threatening the natural environment.
• Creation of animated shorts on other general environment issues for the development of environmental awareness in the local schools & communities.
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11.Environmental photography in the region of the Aegean Sea
This placement focuses on environmental photography with main fields of activity:
• Wildlife and nature photography of species found in the eastern Aegean
• Landscape photography on the islands of eastern Aegean
• Panoramic photography
• Portrait photography
• Photography of research subjects and activities carried out by the research teams
• Advising members of the research team on basic photography and editing techniques relevant to their field of research
• Photojournalism on issues related to biodiversity and factors impacting the natural environment
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12.Documentary film production in the region of the Aegean Sea
This placement focuses on environmental filming with main fields of activity:
• Filming of research subjects and activities carried out by the research teams
• Wildlife, nature and landscape filming on the islands of eastern Aegean
• Video journalism on issues related to biodiversity and factors impacting the natural environment
• Capturing and editing filmed material for different media (TV, internet)
• Editing underwater videos using archive material
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For further details on participation please email us at info@archipelago.gr