Allied Whale (AW), the marine mammal research group of College of the Atlantic, and the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company (BHWW) in Bar Harbor, Maine seek 3 research assistants for the 2026 field season. These are entry-level research positions designed to offer experience for individuals seeking to develop their professional careers in marine mammal research. One summer position (May 15 through August 31) and two full season positions (May 15 through October 31) are available.

Overview of the Position: This program is unique in that it offers selected individuals the opportunity to participate in and receive training across a wide range of marine mammal research activities with Allied Whale, while also working as crew and scientists aboard commercial whale-watching trips. Allied Whale currently supports field projects focused on the trophic ecology of humpback and fin whales, maintains the North Atlantic humpback and fin whale photo-identification catalogs, operates an active marine mammal stranding response program, and partners in research and education initiatives with the BHWW. In addition, Allied Whale conducts offshore research from Mount Desert Rock, a remote island field station.

Description of Duties: Research assistants will receive training in research methods, boat crew responsibilities, and Gulf of Maine natural history, led by both Allied Whale and Bar Harbor Whale Watch (BHWW) staff. The first several weeks will focus on hands-on training, including whale watch deckhand duties, boat maintenance, and assisting with whale catalog matching in the office or participating in stranding response efforts.

Once the season is fully underway, research assistants will rotate through a variety of roles, including serving as a Research Assistant/Deckhand aboard BHWW vessels, working in the Allied Whale office and conducting research at the Mount Desert Rock field station. Weekly schedules vary and are highly weather dependent. A typical week from June through August may include 2–4 days working as researchers/deckhands on whale watch vessels, 1–2 days in the office, and two days off (which may or may not be consecutive). Weather conditions may lead to canceled shifts, and some weeks may have a lighter workload or fewer responsibilities.

Below are specific expectations for each designated shift:

Whale watch trips: Research responsibilities on whale watch trips include searching for whales, photo-identification of whales, and behavioral data collection. Beyond research, RAs are responsible for assisting the naturalist in promoting education and conservation programs on each trip (in addition to working under the direction of senior deckhands and captains in assisting with monitoring the decks and attending to passengers). Maintaining a positive, professional, and friendly demeanor while engaging with whale watch passengers and fellow crew members is necessary. Deckhand responsibilities include line handling, vessel cleaning, helping seasick passengers, and passenger safety. When whale watch trips cancel for weather, crew may be asked to report for duty to assist guests with cancelled reservations, complete maintenance on the vessel and/or assist the lead naturalist with updating the Bar Harbor Whale Watch education and outreach materials.

Allied Whale office shifts: On scheduled office days, research assistants will work flexible shifts in the Allied Whale office. During those hours, research assistants will match individual whales to our catalog, enter their whale watch data into the database, manage the AW/BHWW Flickr account, Adopt-a-Whale program, answer phone calls to the office, and be on call to assist with stranding response or necropsies. When weather permits, research assistants will assist Allied Whale staff with permitted research efforts such as offshore line transect surveys, photo- identification efforts, on-going biopsy sampling, and drone photogrammetry. 

Mount Desert Rock: We hope to have research assistants complete a shift (each at least a week in length) at our offshore research station, Mount Desert Rock. While on the island, research assistants will participate in land-based whale monitoring from the lighthouse tower, seal counts, gull counts, and maintenance/construction projects at the station. This experience is designed to offer the opportunity to work at a remote field station in an off-the-grid location. 

Pay/Housing: Research assistants earn income through their work with the BHWW. Deckhands/ research assistants will be paid a trip rate of $75 per trip and $18/ hour for offboat work. At the height of summer, there are two trips running a day. Housing will be secured by the hiring team, and research assistants will be responsible for rent payments. We aim to keep rent costs between $600 and $700 per month, per person. 

Qualifications: Applicants should have a college background or be currently enrolled as a sophomore or higher in a biology, ecology, and/or marine sciences program. Previous data collection experience in a research setting and/or knowledge of marine mammals are great advantages. While no prior boating/camera experience is required, time spent offshore or skills in photography are also assets and training will be provided. Due to United States Coast Guard requirements, all crew onboard commercial vessels, and therefore all research assistants, must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident alien status. All BHWW crew members will be subject to drug screening prior to employment and will be enrolled in a random drug testing program. Most importantly, applicants must have a positive attitude, can take direction, handle working in a fast-paced dynamic environment, have strong communication skills, be flexible in adapting to quickly changing schedules, work independently, and be comfortable working for long periods of time on boats in rough or inclement weather. Lastly, while living in both Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Rock, applicants must be able to get along well with others and handle working in a team setting.