Join Intern Abroad HQ, the world’s most affordable international internship organization, and invest in your future with a Microplastics & Climate Change Monitoring Internship in Greece.

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Program Information

Microplastics & Climate Change Monitoring interns collaborate with a local and experienced Marine Conservation NGO, broadly experienced in addressing a range of research topics. The internships take place in the island of Samos, Greece, situated in the eastern Aegean of the Mediterranean. Efforts focus on measuring microplastic contamination across different parts of the marine environment, in addition to climate change monitoring.

This program ranges from 8-24 weeks and has start dates every Monday throughout the year.

Your fully-hosted experience includes sourcing of your internship placement, personalization of your project plan, airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals, and onsite student support. See our full list of fees and inclusions on our website.

Eligibility Requirements

Microplastics & Climate Change Monitoring internships in Greece are suitable for students, graduates and researchers of marine, ecological and environmental sciences (or other relevant scientific degree). Applicants must be able to contribute both independently and as part of a dynamic, multicultural, multidisciplinary team. Desired technical skills include previous lab experience, familiarity with microscope analysis, microplastic/or water quality analysis, fieldwork experience, knowledge of data entry and statistical analysis.

This internship is conducted in English.
 
Internship Details

Wondering how you can have an actual impact on protecting our environment? As a Microplastics & Climate Change Monitoring intern, you can gain experience across diverse fieldwork and laboratory activities. The Marine Conservation NGO which supports interns on this program offers opportunities to obtain sample collections, conduct research, and contribute to related policy projects and environmental awareness campaigns. Come prepared to learn more about how multidisciplinary NGOs operate, working to educate and generate lasting change for our precious environments and ecosystems.

The Microplastics & Climate Change Monitoring internship program in Greece is primarily based in the island of Samos, situated in the eastern Aegean Sea. Despite being an important region for marine biodiversity, heavy maritime traffic, illegal fishing, and unsustainable tourism practices contribute to the accumulation of plastic pollution. Large accumulations of plastic debris have been recorded in the waters of the Mediterranean, where such pollution causes significant threats to both marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Collaborating with an experienced and long-established marine conservation non-profit organization, interns may support the program in either a general role - collaborating on current research topics - or in a more specialized role, where you have time and scope to contribute one pre-defined project. The research conducted is intended to help address data gaps related to the presence and impact of microplastic/macroplastic pollution.

Generally, interns assist (or even lead) fieldwork activities to obtain samples for statistical data analysis. There can be a large intern-to-supervisor ratio on this program, so interns must have some relevant technical skills, to participate with confidence and understanding. For example, previous lab and microscope analysis experience, knowledge in the application of statistics, previous experience related to sample collection, etc.

Main areas of focus include:

Measuring microplastics in water and sediment.
Collecting and analyzing samples to understand how microplastics are distributed across different regions and depths.
Studying how microplastics may affect zooplankton.
Assessing how microplastic pollution influences zooplankton biodiversity and community composition.
Monitoring ocean acidification and seawater chemistry.
Tracking long-term changes in pH and other chemical parameters to assess the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.
Identifying pollution hotspots using our onboard lab: Using research vessels to monitor marine and freshwater sites for plastic, chemical, and nutrient pollution.
Collecting data from deep-sea habitats of marine mammals.
Measuring physical and chemical parameters at depths of up to 1,000 meters in key deep-water ecosystems.

All activity schedules can vary based on weather conditions and seasonal projects. The internship minimum duration requirements vary throughout the year.

Interns must come prepared to assist with office/admin based activities, in addition to hands-on fieldwork. All tasks related to data collection and data analysis in the field require follow up work on a computer, which is an essential aspect of research and scientific progression. (Interns must bring their own computer). Prior to participating on certain surveys, all interns are required to complete theoretical training/preparation tasks related to species identification, data sheets, etc.

Interns can likewise become involved with a range of other conservation-related opportunities, in addition to lab tasks, so flexibility and adaptability are required. For example, collaboration with environmental awareness campaigns, public relations, education initiatives within the community, support to other project teams, and more. Activity preferences are subject to availability, as conservation and research priorities vary throughout the year.

Expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in, building new relationships, gaining introductory and foundational knowledge. Being able to balance the motivation to get stuck in as soon as possible must be balanced with teamwork, patience, the willingness to try new things, achieve learning milestones, and ask questions as you progress.

A commitment to responsible communication and self-management is required. Supervisors will assign tasks and projects but interns are required to organize and put suitable timelines in place for achieving the best outcome.

Typical Schedule: Monday to Friday, approximately 9am until 5pm.  

Program Highlights

Intern Abroad HQ's Greece programs are available year-round, with start dates every Monday.

Intern Abroad HQ provides the most affordable and top-rated programs. Check out our intern reviews on our website.

We match you with innovative and entrepreneurial host organizations around the world that give you the opportunity to make a real contribution on high-impact projects with the support of travel experts with an outstanding safety system and track record.

Our experiential learning approach provides a structured and guided platform for you to think critically about your experiences on your internship. It accelerates and deepens your learning by asking self-reflective questions around the contexts, actions, and outcomes of your placement.

Academic credit is available for all experiences, through our School of Record partnerships with University of Montana (1-5 credits) and Warren Wilson College (6-16 credits). Check in with your academic advisor to understand if you can apply these transfer credits toward your degree at your home institution.

We offer flexible booking and free changes so you can register with confidence.

How to Apply

Apply for free: Complete an online application form via the Intern Abroad HQ website.

Select your start date and duration: All Intern Abroad HQ programs are available year-round and you can choose to intern for durations on this program ranging from 8 to 24 weeks.

Complete your registration: After you have been accepted on your chosen program, you can secure your place by paying the Deposit.

Pay your Balance: This is due 60 days before your program starts.

Need to make changes to your booking? You can make free unlimited changes to your destination, project and dates up until 60 days before you start.

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