Photo-identification of Irish seals to investigate habitat use

The student will be part of an ongoing project using photo-identification of Irish seals to investigate habitat use. Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) display a unique pelage pattern that can be used to identify individuals. Further details on the project can be found at https://sealresearchireland.wixsite.com/srpi. Using photographs, sightings histories for each individual can be created and habitat use will be investigated using mark-recapture techniques. During fieldwork, the intern will get hands on experience observing the seals and taking photographs using a DSLR camera. Previous experience using DSLR cameras is beneficial but not essential and full training will be provided. Data entry and analysis will be another component of this project. The intern will learn how to edit photographs and how to identify individual harbour seals using both methods of manual matching and software analysis. After the internship, the student should be literate in acquiring photographs suitable for analysis, grading photographs taken, preparing photographs for analysis, manual matching, the use of the software ExtractCompare and there is a chance to create a catalogue of the seals that he/she encountered during the internship.

Language requirements: 
English
Specific competences required : 
Training will be provided.
Safety issues: 
All field and laboratory based activities will be subject to a risk assessment in accordance with GMIT's health and safety policies. Student does not require a driving licence.
Accommodation possibilities : 
The host institution does not provide accomodation but assistance with seeking accommodation can be provided by GMIT's Students Union, the International Student Office at GMIT. The cost of a room in a shared house or apartment is approx. €400-€600 per month. For more information see: https://www.gmit.ie/general/accommodation and www.daft.ie.
Additional costs to be covered by the student: 
No