VOLUNTEER NEEDED FOR LAND BASED BODY CONDITION STUDY ON SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES USING UAVS
Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU), Perth, Australia, is looking for a volunteer to assist land based Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) research on Southern right whales at the Head of the Bight, South Australia, between the 19th of July and the 17th of August 2016. The person will have to be available for the entire period. The research project aims to investigate Southern right whale body condition on their South Australian breeding/nursing grounds, as part of larger research project looking into baleen whale health (http://mucru.org/our-research/research-projects/baleen-whale-body-condition/). To measure body condition, aerial photographs of the whales will be collected using an UAV operated from the cliffs overlooking the Great Australian Bight. The UAV will be operated by the chief scientist due to strict regulations in Australia. Duties include cliff based searches for right whales, observation of right whale behavioural responses during UAV approaches, and looking for raptor birds that could intervene with UAV operations. The research assistant will also be expected to help out with data entry, processing and measurements of body morphometrics from UAV photographs. This is an unpaid position and the successful candidate will have to cover the costs of transport to and from Ceduna, South Australia, where you will be picked up/dropped off (3.5 hours drive from the Head of the Bight). The person will also have to provide their own travel insurance. Accommodation will be provided in the form of a shared caravan that will also function as an office. This will be shared with one other researcher. At the site there will also be a research team from Curtin University (4-6 people). Food expenses will be covered by the project. The Head of the Bight study area is very remote and isolated place (arid conditions) with very limited resources and communication (limited phone and internet connection is available, but do not expect to stream/download larger files or skype). During the austral winter, bad weather is expected and will prevent UAV operations on at least 50% of the days, so be prepared to stay indoors for extended periods of time. Due to the restricted living conditions it is essential that the candidate is able to live and work closely with the other researchers, is tolerant and respectful towards others and had a positive attitude. Strong work ethic and the ability to endure extended periods of office based work during periods of bad weather condition are essential. People with previous experience living in remote places for extended periods of time will be given priority. The person needs to be fluent in English and bring their own laptop computer. Please apply by sending your CV (3 pages maximum) and cover letter (1 page) with the names and contact details of at least three professional references to f.christian...@murdoch.edu.au Best regards, Dr Fredrik Christiansen Postdoctoral Research Fellow Cetacean Research Unit, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia +61 417 502 098, f.christian...@murdoch.edu.au
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