Our biggest challenge is securing the support we need to sustain and grow our research programs. Please see below to learn how to make a donation, sponsor a seal, or apply for a volunteer position or internship.
Donate
Our program is entirely funded by “soft” support — that is, contracts, grants, and awards that we compete for on a project-by-project basis. We are in great need of support for the many unfunded research activities, student projects, and animal care expenses that are not covered by other funding sources. Working with marine mammals is very costly and highly labor intensive, so private donations go a long way towards supporting the needs of the animals and the students in the project. To make a tax-deductible gift to the program, please donate below, or to discuss a possible gift, contact pinnipedlab@gmail.com. Large gifts can be used to sponsor individual animals or research projects that would be otherwise impossible to support.
Participate
Our program is powered by a group of incredibly hard-working volunteer research assistants. These individuals typically work 15 hours per week in the laboratory and receive comprehensive training in all areas of the research program. Preference is generally given to UCSC students in the natural, behavioral, or physical sciences, or to individuals with a background in computer sciences/engineering. These “apprentice” positions are most suitable for local students and recent graduates with the potential of staying with the program for a minimum of one year. Available positions are typically filled at the start of each academic quarter and are quite competitive. For more information please contact us at pinnipedlab@gmail.com.
Internships
We offer immersive internships to individuals that are recent college graduates with an interest in marine mammalogy, bioacoustics, comparative cognition, and/or animal husbandry. Our interns complete a rigorous training program that functions as a guided apprenticeship, followed by immersion in all aspects of the program, including roles in upcoming and ongoing research projects. Interns typically participate in the on-site program for four months, five full days per week, mainly in the laboratory and occasionally in field research settings, which allows these individuals to acquire and practice a range of skills. Internships are not funded positions, and applicants are responsible for their own housing arrangements. For more information about this special program, including instructions on how to apply, please contact us at pinnipedlab@gmail.com.
(Note that the Fall fellowship application period is currently closed) – Special opportunity for Fall 2023 — The California Ocean Alliance is sponsoring the Blundy Family Fellowship for Fall 2023! This is a funded opportunity for full-time participation in our immersive internship program at Long Marine Laboratory. For more information please visit: https://