This internship will be carried out within the framework of the continuous monitoring of breeding bird populations in the nest-boxes located at the wood of Mata Nacional do Choupal, Coimbra, Portugal, and the research project investigating the use of plastics as alternative nest material in great tits (Parus major) and its consequences for incubation, nestling health and overall breeding success.
These projects are conducted under the supervision of researchers from MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Dep. of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra.
Students will be involved in fieldwork by setting up experimental protocols, in the general monitoring of nest boxes and breeding populations, and the collection of experimental results and observational data from April to mid-June 2027.
Successful applicants will participate in monitoring of nest boxes occupied by passerine species including the great tit, blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea), and field experiments on the great tit. Field experiments will consist of manipulating nest material composition and micro-environmental conditions, deploying data loggers to monitor temperature inside the nest-boxes, and collecting biological samples from nestlings.
Very important information!
Fieldwork is not an easy task. During peak activity periods, we may work long days outdoors independently of the day of the week, in all weather conditions, and the work can often be repetitive. Under these conditions, it is preferable to be physically resilient, motivated by the research questions and by working with wildlife, and to have a good attitude. Therefore, a high level of motivation, care, and rigor will be required to ensure proper monitoring and the successful collection of field data.
Essential requirements:
• Minimum availability: from early-April until mid-June for the fieldwork;
• Category B driving licence obtained more than one-year ago.
• Internship for a DUT, Bachelor’s degree, or first-year Master’s student (M1). This internship is not suitable for a second-year Master’s student (M2) due to the dates and duration of the fieldwork.
• The internship must be covered by an agreement with University of Coimbra. It is not subject to French legislation regarding internship compensation and is unpaid (even if it lasts more than two months), but students may be eligible for international student mobility grants (Erasmus+, departmental or regional grants, etc.).
If you are interested in this internship opportunity, please contact by email so that we can discuss it further:
Ana Cláudia Norte, MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Email: aclaudia.norte@gmail.com
Or,
Jaime Ramos, MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Email: jramos@uc.pt
Please indicate your personal motivation for undertaking such an internship and what you hope to gain from it, and attach your CV, particularly highlighting any previous fieldwork experience.
A remote interview will be arranged to discuss the opportunity further if your profile is selected.
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