CAREERS & VOLUNTEERING

MALDIVES MANTA CONSERVATION PROGRAMME

Field Research Internship – Maldives Manta Conservation Programme Baa Atoll Field Season 2026 | Ref: #MMCP2026

Deadline = 31st January 2026

Are you passionate about marine conservation and eager to immerse yourself in the incredible world of manta rays? This is your chance to join The Maldives Manta Conservation Programme as a field research intern in Baa Atoll, Maldives, for 2026!

For three months, you'll work alongside a dedicated team of researchers studying the world's largest-known population of reef manta rays. From cruising the atoll on our research vessel in search of mantas and new aggregation sites to contributing to over a decade's worth of vital manta ray data, this internship offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the life of a manta scientist.

This role is physically and mentally challenging but deeply rewarding for those with a passion for marine research, conservation, and adventure.

Requirements:

• Applicants must have successfully completed a BSc degree in Marine Biology/ Environmental Conservation, OR have experience working in a related field; Note – for Maldivian nationals only, a BSc degree is not a requirement but experience working in the field of marine conservation is preferred.

• Applicants must be able to commit to one of two 3-month periods (1st June – 31st August, or 1st September - 30th November). Applicants that are flexible and able to commit to either period will be preferred.

• Minimum PADI Divemaster certification in active status (SSI/BSAC equivalent). Please give details of diving experience and number of dives logged. Whilst diving is not a common activity for an intern, applicants without this diving qualification will NOT be considered.

• Excellent swimming/snorkelling skills. A demonstrated ability to comfortably free-dive to at least 10-15m. You will spend a lot of time snorkelling down beneath manta rays to get photos of their ID spot patterns.

• Physically fit – it is likely you will spend 4+ hours a day, 6 days a week swimming in the ocean. Mantas love to be uncooperative, and when conditions are rough/there is a current, it can be physically demanding.

• A strong interest in manta rays, conservation and marine/environmental research.

• Computer literate and comfortable working long hours at a desk. After a long day at sea, interns will be expected to spend 3 hours+ in the afternoon/evenings processing ID photo data in the office with the other researchers.

• Fluent in spoken and written English (additional languages desirable).

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - comfortable with public speaking and giving presentations.

• Self-motivated individual with a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude with a flexible approach to a diverse workload;

• The ability to live and work as part of a team in a resort local island environment.

Roles and responsibilities include:

• Carry out daily research snorkels and site surveys;

• Collect data on all manta sightings (ID photos, gender, injuries, pregnancies, behaviour, etc.);

• Data entry – survey results; sightings updates; research study analysis;

• Lead manta excursions for guests (snorkel and dive trips to manta feeding and cleaning sites);

• Promote safe and responsible tourism interactions with manta rays;

• Active participation in education and awareness events, including the Maldives Education Programme (Moodhu Madharussa);

• Produce material for Manta Trust social media;

• Participation and assistance in ongoing research projects at the base. These include but are not limited to the Eyes on the Reef project, Ultrasound and SVP measurements; zooplankton sampling.

Equipment Requirements:

• Personal Laptop with photo editing software (e.g. Lightroom);

• Dropbox Plus Subscription (minimum 1TB storage space).

• Fins (preferably long blades), Mask and Snorkel.

• A waterproof timepiece (to be worn when conducting all in-water activities).

• Underwater camera.

Note: for Maldivian Nationals a camera and laptop are not a requirement.

Inclusions & Exclusions:

• All food, shared accommodation and internal flight transfers will be covered.

• For those not certified with any Freediving qualification, a theory training course will be provided free of charge.

• Scientific training and experience conducting research in the field.

• Interns will be required to take out their own insurance cover, including but not limited to, travel and personal liability insurance.

Note: Maldivian Nationals will receive a stipend of $500/month

If you are interested, and meet all requirements please send your CV/resume (maximum two pages), and a covering letter (maximum one page) to baa@mantatrust.org, quoting the reference above and your name in the email title e.g. ‘Internship Application #MMRP2026 Joe Bloggs’.

This is an extremely popular and highly competitive opportunity, so really try and impress us if you want to stand out! It should also be highlighted that completion of this internship may present the opportunity to work with the Manta Trust in the future. We look forward to reading your application.

Deadline = 31st January 2026

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be conducted with short-listed candidates before the application deadline. 

Due to limited capacity only successful candidates will be contacted.

We don’t have any volunteering opportunities at this time. Please sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media to keep up to date with the latest opportunities.

If you are a young person, aged 13-17, you might be interested in applying for our Ocean Ambassadors programme. Find full details and information on how to apply through the link below.