Ocean Job Board
0
Organizations
0
Jobs
Dissertation/Thesis Expedition
WiseOceans Ltd
Multiple locations
GBP 4,455-4,455 / month
Posted on Mar 9, 2026
Dissertation/Thesis Expedition
Programme overview
Operation Wallacea is a network of academics from European and North American universities, who design and implement university biodiversity and conservation management research programmes abroad. Research is supported by students who join the programme to strengthen their CV or résumé, gain course credit, or collect data for a dissertation or thesis.
About 25% of students on Operation Wallacea expeditions use their time on site to gather data for their undergraduate or Masters level dissertations or theses. Doing it this way means that you still have the benefit of conservation volunteering overseas and working in some of these remote environments but can also use your time over the summer to collect data for your degree dissertation or senior thesis.
About the organisation
Operation Wallacea (Opwall) is an international biodiversity-research organisation that partners with universities, scientists, and local communities to run large, long-term conservation projects around the world. The expeditions combine real scientific research with volunteer involvement, allowing students and other participants to help collect ecological data on coral reefs and other ecosystems. This research supports wildlife monitoring, conservation planning, and publications that aim to protect threatened habitats while also providing hands-on training and experience for anyone interested in science and conservation.
About the programme
Once you are on site, you will be introduced to your experienced Senior Scientist along with your Field Supervisor, and during an initial meeting you will agree a field plan and timetable. Your Field Supervisor will work with you on a day to day basis to ensure you have all the logistical help you need to complete your data collection. You will also report regularly throughout your expedition to the Senior Scientist who will ensure you have the academic support and guidance needed to complete a high quality dissertation project.
Expect to complete a total of 2 dives per day, 5 days per week, over a period of 6 weeks.
Location
Dissertation projects are available in Honduras, Mexico, Indonesia and Croatia.
Duration
Our programmes run during the months of June, July and August. Participants must join for 6 weeks.
Costs and pre-requisites
6 weeks for £4455 / $5796
Participants must be studying a relevant degree at university and must coordinate with their university supervisor as to whether a project with us is possible.
For anyone not in this position, please see our research assistant positions.
What’s included
Expedition fees cover food and accommodation on site, and any training, research and diving activities. The fees also go towards paying science equipment for the surveys you are carrying out. It does not cover your international flights or internal travel from the airport to the site, although our in house team of experts can help you book these.
How to apply
You can make a booking by following this link: https://www.opwall.com/make-a-booking/
For any questions please contact expeditions@opwall.com