Student vocational placements

Applications for 2026 vocational placements are now closed.

Intake for 2027 vocational placements will open mid-year. Dates will be announced on instagram and LinkedIn.

Living Seawalls offers vocational placements to university students completing marine science degrees. Our vocational placements provide hands-on, real world experience for students interested in persuing field ecology. Students will develop practical skills in the field and laboratory, alongside experience in data analysis and project management, while contributing to our award-winning research program.

Vocational placements with Living Seawalls can be adapted to meet your university’s requirements. There is flexibility in placement start date, duration, and hours per week required. Typically, Australian students spend 1-2 days per week over 1 semester and international students are full-time (35h/week) over 2-6 months.

All vocational placements will be based at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), in Sydney, Australia.

Student requirements

  • must be enrolled in a university Marine Science degree where a placement is required for course credit

  • able to travel to SIMS for the duration of the placement

  • experience in working independently and as part of a team

  • enthusiastic participant in water-based activities such as swimming and snorkelling

This vocational placement is unpaid and must be done as a requirement of a university course. Living Seawalls vocational placements comply with the NSW Fair Work Act 2009.