Research Assistant Program
Are you looking for the ultimate holiday adventure in Indonesia? Join our shark conservation team on Gili Air and become a research assistant! We’re a dedicated group of marine biologists, instructors, social media experts, and entrepreneurs, taking care of marine conservation and shark research around the Gili Islands in Indonesia. Our passion is to give people who are curious about marine conservation a unique experience. We are proud to share with you that our Research Assistant Program won multiple awards and GoOverseas even rated us as the best marine conservation program in the world!
What to Expect
During your stay with us, you will learn how to dive / improve your dive skills, become a certified scientific diver and shark & turtle specialist. We teach you everything you need to know about our research methods including; remote underwater video (RUV), roving survey dives, photographic identification of sharks and turtles, Reef Check surveys, Coral Health Index surveys, Coral Watch surveys, photogrammetry, fish belt transects, invertebrate belt transects, coral restoration, Dive Against Debris, land & marine based time-lapse projects, how to analyze and input data, and much more!
Investing yourself in a conservation project that you care about will change your life forever! Being part of our research team provides you with the opportunity to network and connect with a variety of inspiring individuals. You get to meet people from all different backgrounds who share your passion for the ocean. Bonding with these like-minded individuals is easy, and you’ll immediately become part of a strong community.
You will also become an advocate of the ocean and gain the power to educate and empower others. Your newfound knowledge will be a force to be reckoned with, especially at a time when the ocean, more than ever, needs (y)our help.
Ready to make waves? Apply today for our research assistant program and take the next step towards a career in marine conservation or the diving industry under the guidance of our experienced marine biologists and researchers to guide you along the way.
Explore our program
Learn to dive / Improve your dive skills
Our research assistant program is open to everyone, from total beginners to experienced dive instructors. We are proud partner of PADI and Conservation Diver, who both offer a full range of training and certifications related to marine research, protection, restoration, and conservation which is recognized worldwide. Depending on which package you choose, you will receive one or more of the following courses:
- PADI Scientific Diver Course
- Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology and Population Studies Course‘
- Conservation Diver ‘Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring Course’
- Conservation Diver ‘Marine Ecology and Monitoring Diver Course‘
As a prerequisite for our 2-week package, you should already have a diving certification. However, when you extend your stay to 3 weeks or beyond, we’ll include the next level of diving certification in your program at no extra cost.
If you wish to pursue additional dive (specialty) courses beyond our program, our partner, 5-star PADI career development center Blue Marlin Dive, will be delighted to assist you. Their experienced instructors will ensure that your experience is not only enjoyable but also a truly unforgettable memory.
Get ready for an exciting and intensive diving adventure as we explore the wonders of the underwater world together. Learn more about all the PADI dive (specialty) courses and Conservation Diver courses here.
Accommodation
During your program you will be staying at our HQ on Gili Air. We’ve put a lot of hard work and love in creating a place for you that feels like a home away from home. Click here to read more about our HQ and facilities.
Packages
We have carefully crafted various packages to accommodate your schedule and passion for marine conservation. Our program includes comprehensive training in our research methods, which typically takes about a week. After completing the training, we offer you the exciting opportunity to work alongside the research team of NGO Gili Matra Bersama. To ensure a meaningful experience, we require a minimum commitment of staying with us for 2 weeks.
The longer you stay, the more benefits you’ll receive. For example, you’ll receive more dive specialty courses, and you will be able to join more workshops. If you choose to stay with us for five weeks or longer, we’ll focus on helping you develop your career in marine conservation, which is especially valuable for those aspiring to work in this field.
We are open all year round and you can start your program every Sunday. Please know we only got 12 spots available in our research team so make sure don’t miss out. Pick your package below and apply today!
| Certifications | Research & Diving | Living | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| PADI Scientific Diver Course | 8 dives a week | In country transport | Free t-shirt & tote bag |
| Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | 70 project hours | Shared accommodation @ HQ | |
| 2 workshops | Breakfast on project days | ||
| Entry to the marine park | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | ||
| Price | $ 2,299 USD | ||
| Certifications | PADI Scientific Diver Course | Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Diving | 8 dives a week | 70 project hours | 2 workshops | Entry to the marine park |
| Living | In country transport | Shared accommodation @ HQ | Breakfast on project days | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ |
| Extras | Free t-shirt & tote bag | |||
| Price $ 2,299 USD | ||||
| Certifications | Research & Diving | Living | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your next level of certification | 8 dives a week | In country transport | Free t-shirt & tote bag |
| PADI Scientific Diver Course | 35 project hours per week | Shared accommodation @ HQ | 10% discount on SPA treatments |
| Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | Minimum 4 workshops | Breakfast on project days | |
| Attach your own coral to our restoration structures | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | ||
| Entry to the marine park | |||
| Price for 3 weeks | $ 3,149 USD | ||
| Price for 4 weeks | $ 3,899 USD | ||
| Certifications | Your next level of certification | PADI Scientific Diver Course | Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Diving | 8 dives a week | 35 project hours per week | 4 workshops | Attach your own coral to our restoration structures | Entry to the marine park |
| Living | In country transport | Shared accommodation @ HQ | Breakfast on project days | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | |
| Extras | Free t-shirt & tote bag | 10% discount on SPA treatments | |||
| Price for 3 weeks: $ 3,149 USD | |||||
| Price for 4 weeks: $ 3,899 USD | |||||
| Certifications | Research & Diving | Career Development | Living | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your next level of certification | 8 dives a week | How to write a scientific report | In country transport | Free t-shirt & tote bag |
| Conservation Diver ‘Marine Ecology & Monitoring Course’ | Minimum 175+ project hours | How to plan the next step in your career | Shared accommodation @ HQ | 10% discount on SPA treatments |
| Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | Minimum 10 workshops | Weekly coaching sessions with lead scientist | Breakfast on project days | Free rashguard |
| Conservation Diver ‘Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring Course’ | Attach your own coral to our restoration structures | Training and involvement in social media | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | |
| Entry to the marine park | Free upgrade to private room if available | |||
| Price for 5 weeks | $ 4,649 USD | |||
| Price for 6 weeks | $ 5,399 USD | |||
| Price for 7 weeks | $ 6,149 USD | |||
| Certifications | Your next level of certification | Conservation Diver ‘Marine Ecology & Monitoring Course’ | Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | Conservation Diver ‘Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring Course’ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Diving | 8 dives a week | Minimum 175+ project hours | Minimum 10 workshops | Attach your own coral to our restoration structures | Entry to the marine park |
| Career Development | How to write a scientific report | How to plan the next step in your career | Weekly coaching sessions with lead scientist | Training and involvement in social media | |
| Living | In country transport | Shared accommodation @ HQ | Breakfast on project days | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | Free upgrade to private room if available |
| Extras | Free t-shirt & tote bag | 10% discount on SPA treatments | |||
| Price for 5 weeks: $ 4,649 USD | |||||
| Price for 6 weeks: $ 5,399 USD | |||||
| Price for 7 weeks: $ 6,149 USD | |||||
| Certifications | Research & Diving | Career Development | Living | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your next level of certification | 8 dives a week | How to write a scientific report | In country transport | Free t-shirt & tote bag |
| Conservation Diver ‘Marine Ecology & Monitoring Course’ | Minimum 280+ project hours | How to plan the next step in your career | Shared accommodation @ HQ | 10% discount on SPA treatments |
| Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | Minimum 10+ workshops | Weekly coaching sessions with lead scientist | Breakfast on project days | Free rashguard |
| Conservation Diver ‘Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring Course’ | Attach your own coral to our restoration structures | Training and involvement in social media | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | |
| Entry to the marine park | Gaining a leadership position in one of our research projects / #plasticfreeparadise campaign / community outreach programs | Free upgrade to private room if available | ||
| Learn how to build coral restoration structures | ||||
| Price for 8 weeks | $ 6,699 USD | |||
| + per week | $ 750 USD | |||
| Certifications | Your next level of certification | Conservation Diver ‘Marine Ecology & Monitoring Course’ | Conservation Diver ‘Shark Ecology & Population Studies Course’ | Conservation Diver ‘Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring Course’ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Diving | 8 dives a week | Minimum 280+ project hours | Minimum 10+ workshops | Attach your own coral to our restoration structures | Entry to the marine park | Learn how to build coral restoration structures |
| Career Development | How to write a scientific report | How to plan the next step in your career | Weekly coaching sessions with lead scientist | Training and involvement in social media | Gaining a leadership position in one of our research projects / #plasticfreeparadise campaign / community outreach programs | |
| Living | In country transport | Shared accommodation @ HQ | Breakfast on project days | Free use of our kitchen @ HQ | Free upgrade to private room if available | |
| Extras | Free t-shirt & tote bag | 10% discount on SPA treatments | Free rashguard | |||
| Price for 8 weeks: $ 6,699 USD | ||||||
| + per week: $ 750 USD | ||||||
Workshops
* depending on your length of stay
Introduction to GSC
- History of GSC
- Welcome to the Team and Island
- GSC Mission and Vision
- GSC Scientific Goals and Methods
- GSC Results
Coral Reef Formations & Zones
- An Introduction to Coral ReefEcology and Global Importance
- Coral Reef Formation
- Reef Zones and How This Impacts Biodiversity
Turtle Ecology
- Turtle Species of the Gili Islands
- Turtle Ecology
- Introduction to GSC’s Photo ID Project
- What To Do If You See A Nesting Turtle or Turtle Hatchlings
Shark Ecology
- Shark Species of the Gili Islands
- Shark Ecology
- Introduction to GSC’s Photo ID Project
- How We Aim To Make A Shark Nursery
Coral Restoration
- Coral Reproduction
- Coral Nursery Techniques
- Coral Outplanting Techniques
Substrate ID
- Substrate ID for the Gili Islands
Invertebrates and Impacts ID
- Invertebrate ID for the Gili Islands
- How to Identify Negative Impacts on the Reef
Plastic and Pollution
- The History of Plastic
- Marine Plastic
- Threats to the Marine Ecosystem What Can We Do?
- Introduction to Coral Health Index
- Methodology for the Benthic and Fish Components of Coral Health Index
What’s not included
1 All dive equipment rentals are included in your package except for a dive computer. We highly recommend that you buy your own dive computer as you need to have a dive computer or underwater timing device to take part in our research dives. You also have the option to rent a dive computer from us for 50.000 IDR per day.
2 If you haven’t been diving for 6 months or longer and you have less than 10 dives, we strongly recommend you to do a Refresher course. The price of a Refresher Course is 900.000 IDR. Experienced divers who have not been diving in over six months are usually their own best judge if they need a formal course to regain their scuba skills. However, every diver who had not dived in two years should seriously consider the course. You can read more about the PADI Refresher Course here.
Understanding your Program Fees
You might wonder why you have to pay to participate in our conservation project. Let us explain…
We are only a small organization and are not in a position to cover all the costs involved in your stay. Your program fees are covering a large number of factors, such as food, tanks, rental of scuba gear, accommodation, courses, visa support and transport.
Your hard work and passion are valuable, but unfortunately, motivation alone doesn’t keep our projects alive. As a participant, your fees have just as great an impact as your actions. By contributing to our project, you are helping to support our mission, and ensure that our programs are efficient and beneficial in the long run. You are also investing in your own training and development, so you can continue making changes in the world long after you’ve finished our program.
Where your fees go
Based on our 3 week black tip reef package. For longer stays percentages regarding diving and courses might slight change.
Requirements
Join and become a research assistant
Ready to dive into action and make a real impact on ocean protection? Would you like to learn different research methods in the field of shark, turtle and coral conservation and practice how to collect and analyze data? Would you like to make your next trip count while having fun along the way? Apply today for our Research Assistant Program and let’s make a difference together in protecting our precious marine ecosystem!
