SEEKING RESEARCH ASSISTANTS IN ICELAND
BACKGROUND
Faxaflói Bay is
a bay facing Reykjavík city where daily tours are arranged to spot feeding Minke
whales, white-beaked dolphins, Humpback whales and harbour porpoises.
Reykjavik Whale-watching Company is running whale-watching trips since 1998,
with
special interest in all whales visiting the bay.
The
company is member of Green Globe 21 and tries to fulfil environmental standards
as well as certain whale-watching guidelines.
Since
2007, the Company started as well a Research project aiming to:
-
recognize individually minke
whales and white-beaked dolphins photographed
-
investigate the distribution
of minke whales and dolphins in association with underlying environmental
variables
-
study the breathing patterns
-
analyse the feeding
behaviour of minke whales and data collected on associated bird species
-
analyse the relation between
the presence of whales, environmental variables and boat traffic
CONDITIONS
Research
will begin on the last week of April and will extend to the end of August 2008.
I am
seeking 2 research assistants (mid April-end August) to assist with the
collection
of behavioural data on Minke whales and white-beaked dolphins in Faxaflói Bay,
Reykjavík, Iceland. (Photo-id pictures and
breathing rates will be occasionally collected also for Humpback whales).
Because
of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit to the project a
minimum of two months. Applicants willing to participate for the whole working
period will be given preference.
Two
whale-watching motor vessels will be used as research platform: Elding and
Hafsúlan each approx 30 m
long.
The
project will cover accommodation and lunch during the working hours.
Living
space is located on a former fishing boat in the old harbour, with 1 double and
3 single rooms, bathroom, kitchen, living room and internet access (25 square
metres);
10 min walking distance to the city centre.
Volunteers
will have to cover all travel and personal expenses on their own.
DUTIES
Applicants
should be ready to work long hours(08:00 to 16.00 or to 20.00 hours depending
on weather conditions) and be expected to participate in the following duties:
-
collect behavioural data on
cetacean sightings
-
data entry for cetacean
sightings
-
photo-identification work/fin
matching
Applicants
should:
have a strong background in Marine
biology-Oceanography, with knowledge and experience of marine mammal
behaviour and/or sea birdshave previous field
experience, photo-identification skills and ability to stand long working
days, sometimes in rough sea conditionsbe computer literate
with a working knowledge PC operating system and proficiency with MS Word
and MS Excel. Familiarity with software including MS Access and Photoshop
is very helpful. Possibility to bring your own Laptop is much preferred be
enthusiastic,
hard-working, team oriented, able to share small living space on boardbe
adaptable, flexible
and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent have good English
language skillsbring your own digital
camera, binoculars and GPS(useful but not a pre-requisite)
If
interested or got queries, please contact me sending:
-
CV or resume(please include
also dietary choice for planning purposes: i.e. carnivore, vegetarian, vegan,
etc.)
-
details of your availability
-
contact details of two
referees
-
a brief description of
yourself including your interest in marine mammals and what you hope to gain
from this experience
Chiara
Bertulli
Marine
biologist/Research Coordinator
c/o
Reykjavík Whale-watching Company
Ægisgardur
7
101
Reykjavík
www.elding.is
University of Iceland
Biology Department
Náttúrfræðahús/Askja
Sturlugata 7
101 Reykjavik
Iceland
e-mail:[email protected]
mobile:+354-8618307
Skype :
chiara.giulia.bertulli
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