The Sea Watch Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine
research, conservation, and public education is seeking applications for the
following:
RESEARCH ASSISTANT/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR IN CARDIGAN BAY 2010
This position is responsible for assisting the Monitoring Officer in the
running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” and coordinating the project
volunteers. The project is based in New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales, and
involves the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour
porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance,
distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination
of line-transect, photo-identification, land-based and acoustic surveys. This
long-term project was established in 2001 and is overseen by Dr Peter Evans,
Director of Sea Watch.
Start Date: April 12th 2010 End Date: October 18th 2010
Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
Coordination between the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer and the project
volunteers – in charge of the volunteer house and the volunteer weekly office
rota.
Assisting the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer in volunteer basic training
of land- and boat based surveys, photo ID studies, database entry and more.
Assisting the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer in all phases of the
research.
Optional: Undertaking a personal research project supervised by the Monitoring
Officer – research topic will be chosen according to Sea Watch Foundation
requirements and applicant’s interests.
Requirements:
The successful applicant is expected to have at least a BSc degree in biology,
marine biology, zoology, or related field, and be able to demonstrate previous
experience in marine mammal research. A strong interest and knowledge of
British cetaceans and some boating experience are beneficial. The applicant
should be proficient with Access, databases and word processing software.
Experience in GIS would be advantageous. The preferred candidate should have a
proven track record as a team player as the project will involve working
closely with other researchers but also should be able to supervise small
groups of people as they will be coordinating at least 6 volunteers. They must
also be self-motivated with the drive and determination to work independently
and responsibly. This post brings the opportunity to submit work for scientific
publication. This position is unpaid but accommodation expenses will be
covered.
To apply:
Please send your CV, a cover letter and contact details of two references
reporting relevant experience to Daphna Feingold
([email protected]).
Deadline: 31st January 2010.
Please specify RESEARCH ASSISTANT/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR in your subject title.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by the 22nd February 2010.
The Sea Watch Foundation
The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research charity
that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas
around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of
populations and the threats they face. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to
raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of West
Wales. In recent years, our work has been funded by the Countryside Council for
Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery
Fund, and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion
County Council.
Research
The purpose of our research here is to monitor the marine mammal populations
that inhabit Cardigan Bay, so as to gain information to aid the conservation
and long-term well being of these animals and the local marine environment.
This is achieved by conducting various projects including:
Estimating the abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins, harbour
porpoises and grey seals within Cardigan Bay using distance sampling and
opportunistic boat surveys
Maintaining and updating a catalogue of photographically identified bottlenose
dolphins in Wales in order to study their abundance, social structure,
movements and life histories.
Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in the
Cardigan Bay SAC using automated click detectors (T-PODs) and hydrophones.
Setting up a library of underwater sounds in Welsh waters in order to develop
bio-acoustic research in the area.
We further aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the
local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect
and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future generations. We also
run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey
methods.
Do you have a story that started on Hotmail? Tell us now
_________________________________________________________________
Got a cool Hotmail story? Tell us now
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/195013117/direct/01/_______________________________________________
MARMAM mailing list
[email protected]
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
