Biosphere Expeditions offers placements for local people on all its wildlife volunteer conservation expeditions. They are awarded on a competitive basis and preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate (1) a genuine interest in wildlife conservation or a career in this field and (2) that they will use their conservation expedition experience to further environmental protection in the expedition country and carry the message to other people, thereby multiplying the effect of their experience. Successful applicants will then take part in the volunteer expedition at no cost other than getting themselves to the expedition assembly point. Note that placements are not paid positions. Also note that the number of places available and the time when they are available will vary from expedition to expedition.
Requirements to become a wildlife research volunteer on a cost-free placement
• A strong preference will be given to locals, either a national or resident of the expedition country or from the region. However, we may also consider exceptional applications from non-locals. In any case, travel to the expedition assembly point is never included in a placement and placements are never paid positions.
• Over 18 years of age
• Fluent English
• A genuine interest in wildlife conservation, volunteer conservation expeditions and/or a career in this field
• After the expedition, the successful applicant will hold two talks or events about his or her experience on the volunteer expedition, one to his peer group and one to the general public. The successful applicant will provide proof of these events. One event may be replaced by online activity such as a blog about the experience or a website or a longer social media entry.
• For diving expeditions: qualified diver (minimum PADI Open Water or equivalent)
Application process
1. Make sure you fulfil the requirements above.
2. If you do, research the volunteer expedition you are interested in via this website and the time periods it is run over.
3. Submit your application at any time, stating when you would like to take part and why.
4. We will acknowledge your wildlife research volunteer application and may want to interview you over the phone or in person. This will be arranged with each applicant individually.
5. We will let you know our decision, usually 3-4 weeks before your expected departure date.
Your application must include
1. A cover letter stating who you are, why we should take you, what the experience would mean for you and how you are going to use it. The cover letter should also describe how you plan to fulfil the requirement of holding two talks or events as described above. Please also state clearly that if chosen, which period of which expedition you would like to join (you can research this on this website and giving more than one of the stated expedition periods is useful). Finally, the cover letter should indicate clearly what your interest in wildlife conservation is.
2. Your CV.
3. A picture of you.
4. For diving expeditions, the application must also include information on your dive qualification and experience.
Please send your application using the form below. Only applications via this form and in English will be accepted.
There is no application deadline and applications are accepted at any time. Final decisions on applications will usually be made 3-4 weeks before the expedition is due to start, but later applications will also be considered.
Sponsors
Our placement programme is kindly supported by
History
On all our volunteer expeditions, we offer placements for local people, whether they are students, local NGO or government employees or committed individuals. Since its inception in 2012, our placement programme has hosted over 100 local people on all our volunteer conservation projects across the world. Outcomes are community-based conservation and education programmes, the creation of local conservation NGOs, career changes and employment in conservation jobs gained.
Video stories
Other stories
Award-winning Maldives conservationist started out as a Biosphere Expeditions placement
My family thought, OK, this must be a phase, she’ll grow out of it
Historic first community-based reef survey near Muscat, Oman
Community-based reef conservation in the face of monster El Niño approaching the Maldives
First ever all-Maldivian Reef Check survey
Maldivians for Maldivian reefs
Brilliant efforts in environmental education
Article by Maldivian placement recipient 1.01 Mb
Feedback from placement recipients
"I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the opportunity to join the Reef Check expedition to the Maldives. It was such a meaningful and enriching experience for me, professionally and personally. I am especially grateful for the effort Biosphere Expeditions puts into creating opportunities for local conservationists. Being able to learn, contribute, and be part of something so well organised and impactful means a lot, and it’s something I will always appreciate. Thank you again to the whole team for such a memorable experience and for the important work you do. I’m truly grateful and hope to stay in touch."
Aishath Mufliha Ziyadh, Maldives
"In 2014, when I was working in Male’, I was the recipient of a local placement to join the Biosphere Expeditions coral reef research project in the Maldives. It was the first time I was introduced to coral reef monitoring. The Reef Check methodology, which the expedition uses, is a great way to understand some of the indicators of reef health in a fun and simple way. I began to see the reef in a completely new way and the following year, I was invited to join the expedition again to achieve Reef Check trainer level, which enabled me to train other people in the survey methodology. The knowledge and experience I gained through these placements was a great foundation for my career in marine conservation. Today, as the chairperson of the local NGO Maldives Resilient Reefs, as well as the Maldives Programme Manager for the Blue Marine Foundation and the recipient of the prestigious Rehendi Award, I lead surveys and expeditions to monitor our changing reefs together with my team, international researchers and local citizen scientists. Thank you Biosphere Expeditions for getting me started on this path."
Shaha Hashim, Maldives
"I am Michelle from the Azores and I was a placement on the Azores whale & dolphin expedition in 2012. This opportunity was one of the first experiences I had with baleen whales and acoustics, and I really loved it. Beeing able to work close to the expedition scientist Lisa Steiner was an honour and also a great help with learning how field work on cetaceans is, and fed my love for the ocean and my will to work with marine mammals. As a student at the time, I would never have had the funds to join the expedition without the placement programme, and for that I will be always grateful to Biosphere Expeditions, it was really a magical life experience, and the team and the other volunteers were really great. Without a doubt that was the beginning of my passion for marine mammals, and has continue ever since. After that experience I start working the next summer with a whale watching company doing photo-ID like I learned during the expedition. Now I am a full-time scientist working with marine mammals."
Michelle Braña Bradin, Portugal (Azores)
"Biosphere Expeditions offered a placement for me on the Tien Shan snow leopard expedition after the application submission and an interview. I worked at a local non-profit in the Kyrgyz Republic and have been interested in environment and wildlife habitat since childhood, as I lived near the mountains and felt the importance of ecosystem conservation. Work in the non-profit sector was a great experience in order to raise awareness about ecological problems and also develop personal skills, though the work did not include direct field experience. So my colleague recommended that I apply to the Biosphere Expeditions placement programme. Happily, I was admitted, and the two weeks of the expedition were mind- and life-changing. But first, I woke up the day we were supposed to leave towards the expedition base with a thought of quitting and not going. But I did pluck up the courage to quit my comfort zone and I did go. The nature in the mountains was breathtaking: all beautiful pictures that I used to download to my computer for a desktop picture now became a reality and stood in front of me. The mountains were big and made myself and my problems feel small. Everything was magnificent. I lived and enjoyed the moment. The participants were amazing. Never have I ever felt myself so connected and blessed with endless conversations that also improved my knowledge of English and communication skills. Most importantly, I developed my skills as a researcher. The volunteer expedition taught me to observe important research objects, such as footprints and scat, to use research tools such as maps, compass, GPS, binoculars, datasheets, etc. As I think back to that morning of almost not going on the expedition, I realise that if I had indeed quit, I would now have a completely different life path. Now, as I write this, I study at one of the best institutions in the USA, pursuing an undergraduate degree that includes sustainability and environmental studies. My time on the expedition not only helped me to gain this place, but also contributed to me getting more interested in promoting sustainable life in communities. Mind- and life-changing indeed! Thank you so much Biosphere Expeditions!"
Yryskeldi Emilbek uulu, Kyrgyzstan
"I want to say thank you to Biosphere Expeditions for letting me be part of the team. As a student it was a great experience to improve my skills and knowledge about whales and dolphins of the Azores as a wildlife research volunteer, learning so much with the expedition scientist Lisa Steiner. I am very glad that organisations such as Biosphere Expeditions provide places on the team for students and help them to further their careers. Many thanks for this great experience."
Marilia Olio, Portugal
"The Altai expedition was the best thing that happened to me for my career development. I had waited for a long time to get to this part of the Altai and the expedition gave me the opportunity. Once I saw Chuyskaya Steppe and the great Chikhachova Ridge, I loved them with all my heart, and I became familiar with that place. Next week I will return there, making some bird observation. And from next summer onwards, I start guiding bird-watching tours in that area with Rubythroat Birding Tours. I have found the job of my dreams! And I have to thank you, Biosphere Expeditions, for it!"
Elena Shnayder, Russia
"My name is Alexandra Grigorieva; I'm 19 years old and I study biology in Novosibirsk State University. I was lucky to participate in a research & volunteer expedition to the Altai mountains, organized by Biosphere Expeditions. The expedition was a great experience for me and gave me many impressions. For example, it was great to meet new people, especially from different countries. Getting the scholarship also gave me confidence in myself - that was really important for me, I now feel like I can achieve a lot. I also had a great experience communicating in English and after the expedition I also started to learn German as there were quite a lot of German-speakers on the expedition too. I also liked a lot the way the research was conducted - hiking all day, recording animals and their signs - it's so different from living in a city. I am very thankful to Biosphere Expeditions and Vascutek for providing me with such an opportunity."
Alexandra Grigorieva, Russia
"I really learn a lot from taking part in the Musandam coral reef expedition as part of a scholarship. Even though I am a Divemaster, I discovered a lot of new things about Musandam and its marine life. This has helped me a lot in my professional development and I would love to be part of a volunteer conservation expedition again."
Badher Al Shehi, Oman
"As part of Biosphere Expeditions' staff engagement programme, I participated in Biosphere Expeditions' Musandam coral reef project whilst working for Six Senses in the Maldives. I was so impressed by the way the work was conducted that I suggested that a similar project be set up for Maldivian reefs. Two years and quite a bit of work later, an expedition was set up in the Maldives - a perfect example of a win/win situation for everyone coming out of a staff engagement programme."
Anke Hofmeister, Marine Biologist, Six Senses Resorts & Spas
"The Biosphere/Stormsaver scholarship has not only given me fantastic field experience, but it has also helped give me focus on my future role in Namibian conservation and environmental education. There are very few opportunities like this for young Namibians and graduates, and I hope it can continue."
Rachel Futter, Namibia
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Six Senses and Biosphere Expeditions for giving me this valuable opportunity in developing my knowledge and teaching me how to do reef surveys. I really appreciated this chance to take the initiative and do something for the benefit of my country, the Maldives."
Sharif Hussein, Maldives (left)
"I have got so much out of joining this expedition and would like to thank Biosphere Expeditions for enabling me to develop as a Reef Check trainer. The next step is to train others, develop a Maldives-based Reef Check team and start submitting data from Maldivian sites regularly."
Kate Wilson, Marine Biologist, Soneva Fushi by Six Senses (middle)
"I thank Six Senses and Biosphere Expeditions for this opportunity; for giving me the chance to do something for my country. I am now able to contribute reef survey data from Baa atoll and I am very proud to be a part of it all."
Majid Birahim, Maldives (right)
"It’s exciting to explore your own country, but there is much more fun to explore it with a group of people, perfectly interested in wild nature and camp life. Travelling with Biosphere Expeditions was not only a wonderful adventure for me, but also getting experience in non-stop regime! The experience of outdoor life in mountains, viewing nature, searching for my own limit of power (one can always go further than one thinks) and communicating with very bright and spirited people who were carried away with all the nature they saw. Biosphere Expeditions gave me an opportunity to take part in scientific research and to see what it looks like. I believe journeys like that help us to understand the world where we live."
Evgenia Scherbina, Russia
"As a Maldivian PADI Divemaster, this was a privilege and a great opportunity to learn a lot about our native reef eco-systems that I interact with on a day-to-day business and learn a trusted and tried methodological approach to basic reef conservation (i.e. Reef Check data collection)."
Rafil Mohamed, Maldives
"I’m so grateful to have joined the Maldives expedition; it was a highlight of my year and exactly the type of work I had always dreamed of doing. I’m keen to continue developing my experience and hopefully progress to a Reef Check trainer at some point. Thank you again, and I hope we can stay in touch."
Bennath Chillingworth, UK & Maldives
"I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to have taken part in one of Biosphere Expeditions' wildlife research volunteer projects; it is something that I would not normally have been able to afford to do. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the expedition and believe that I have gained skills in animal identification and knowledge of coral reef survey techniques, as well as getting the chance to improve my diving skills. As the marine environment is an area I am particularly interested in within the field of conservation, the experience of working on coral reefs and of gaining an understanding of the threats they face, as well as an understanding of the potential protection they may receive within Oman, has been really valuable to the career I wish to pursue."
Heidi Richardson, UK