Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Internship
About the organisation
Khmer Ocean Life (KOL) is a non-profit organisation, registered in the UK (registration number 14857387), partnered with the local NGO Samaky Organization in Kampot, Cambodia. KOL’s mission is to promote the conservation of Cambodia’s marine ecosystems and marine megafauna through encouraging and highlighting research, capacity building, outreach, and community collaboration.
KOL’s main focal species are the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis), Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides), and dugong (Dugong dugon).
Current projects include (i) ongoing ecological research through land, boat, and aerial surveys; (ii) the Cambodian Marine Mammal Bycatch and Stranding Network (CMMBSN); (iii) Bycatch Mitigation Action Plan (BMAP); and (iiii) KOL’s outreach programme to spread awareness in schools. The team consists of a small, tight-knit mix of international conservationists and local Khmer staff.
About the programme
We are looking for marine mammal research and conservation interns to join the team in 2026 and 2027. The minimum stay for our internship is one month, but long-term applicants are encouraged to apply.
We are also open to more specialised volunteer positions, including a social media manager and research positions. You are also welcome to conduct your own research or outreach project with us, depending on your interest, skill set, and length of stay.
Basic internship activities:
- Training:
- Introduction to Khmer Ocean Life
- Welcome to Cambodia
- Research method training on observational land and boat survey techniques
- Marine vessel identification
- Cetacean behaviour identification
- Datasheet and data entry
- Theory test
- Photo-ID presentation and practice activity
- Grant writing workshop
- Basic cetacean stranding training
- Ecological surveys:
- Boat surveys in collaboration with local fishing communities
- Land surveys
- Post fieldwork activities:
- Photo-identification
- Data entry and proofing
- Beach and community clean-ups
- Mangrove planting
- Outreach in local schools
- Providing assistance at our visitor center
- Khmer language lessons
Specialised or ad-hoc internship activities:
Some of KOL’s work is seasonal and capacity-dependent. The following are activities that interns may partake in depending on their personal skills and interests.
- Grant writing
- Data processing and analysis
- Social media content creation and marketing
- Responding to bycatch or stranding events
- Forming collaborations or partnerships with other conservation organizations
- Developing capacity building projects
- GIS mapping
- Promotional event planning
Location
Kampot, Cambodia
Duration
Minimum stay is one month
Costs
USD700 per month
What’s included
Includes:
- All research training
- Accommodation
- Visa advice
- All fieldwork and internship activities
- Khmer language lessons
- Personal project support and/or thesis supervision
- Transport to and from fieldwork sites
Not included:
- Flights
- Food
- Visa
How to apply
There are limited spaces available, if interested, please send a CV/resume, stating your available dates and desired length of stay, with the subject ‘Khmer Ocean Life Internship’ to info@khmeroceanlife.com
