Auckland Council Environmental Student Partnership Programme Looking for a summer job which gives you valuable work experience as well as the opportunity of funding during your MSc? The Auckland Council Student Partnership Programme offers a two year relationship with the Council within the Research, Investigations and Monitoring Unit (RIMU) to combine real life work experience at the start of your PGDipSci or BSc (Hons), with support for applied research during your MSc thesis year. We are seeking five students interested in applied marine, terrestrial or freshwater research. Applications will be accepted from August 2013 and close Monday 2nd September, 2013. Talk to your graduate co-ordinators, lecturers or contact Melanie Vaughan (RIMU) about the programme. There are three components to this programme, with the objective being to establish a partnership of benefit to both Auckland Council and students. 1) Summer work at Auckland Council: November 2013 - February 2014 •Work for Auckland Council for approx 12 week period, 40 hours/week •You would be working with our environmental monitoring team on a range of tasks with a mixture of field and office based tasks. •Summer is a very busy field season; some of the key projects you could be working on could include forest and wetland monitoring, fresh water macro-invertebrate sampling, water quality sampling and marine intertidal benthic ecology sampling amongst other opportunities. Data management will also be a key component of your work. •Be prepared to be out in the environment in all weather conditions, sometimes for long days. •You need to be enthusiastic, able to work in a team, but also able to undertake tasks independently and think for yourself. •We are looking for positive hard workers. Your performance throughout the summer will determine your advancement into the funding programme for your Masters studies (along with the other requirements outlined below).* 2) PGDipSci / BSc (Hons): March 2014 - November 2014 •You return to University and complete relevant postgraduate papers •There is the opportunity to work intermittently for Auckland Council during this year depending on your course load and work availability. •During this year you develop a project with your University supervisor and Auckland Council staff •Your project needs to have an aspect of research applied to a management issue for the Auckland Council* • Continuation in the programme is evaluated based on your thesis proposal* 3) Masters thesis research: November 2014 -February 2016 •During this time you carry out full time research on your thesis project •There is the opportunity to receive a stipend from Auckland Council which is for your personal use (the stipend is paid in instalments based on your progress) •Auckland Council will provide logistical support for your research where possible such as access to data and reports, equipment, GIS maps, aerial photos, discounts for laboratory tests •Auckland Council staff will also provide support and input where appropriate What do you get out of the Auckland Council Student Partnership Programme? •A summer job that gives you valuable work experience •The opportunity to work across different environmental specialisations in Council •First-hand experience of environmental management and insight into application of science for management •For your thesis year you will gain a stipend and research assistance •Your thesis will demonstrate your ability to carry out applied research to future employees What do you need to do now? •Decide whether you intend to go on and do a PGDipSci or BSc (Hons) and then a MSc thesis •Think about the areas of research that interest you and identify potential supervisors that you would like to work with •Talk to supervisors about potential projects What you need to include in your application If you are interested in the Auckland Council Student Partnership Programme please apply by Monday 2nd September. For initial enquiries, please contact Melanie Vaughan on 09 486 8630. For your application to be considered, we will need the following to be submitted along with your application: •Curriculum Vitae◦include course names and grades (it helps us to have brief course descriptions) ◦include any relevant experience ◦a current first aid certificate and day skippers would be beneficial •An outline of your research interests and career aspirations (up to ½ page) •A letter of support from a potential supervisor to show you are intending to continue in your studies You will also need to demonstrate a commitment to a PGDipSci or BSc (Hons) and to enrolling in an MSc thesis; you must be a full time student for your PGDipSci or BSc (Hons) and a New Zealand resident to be eligible for the stipend. Applications close 10.30pm Monday 2nd September 2013
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 21:34:02 +0000