Seeking Field Assistants - Hector’s dolphin research, Banks Peninsula NZ I am seeking volunteers to assist in Hector's dolphin habitat surveys at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. Volunteers will assist in seasonal fieldwork I am conducting as part of my PhD at Otago University, involving boat-based dolphin surveys up to four nautical miles from shore with concurrent benthic prey and oceanographic sampling. The overall aim of this work is to investigate which factors drive the distributional patterns of Hector's dolphins, with a particular interest in correlation with seasonal prey availability. As a volunteer you will live and work in a beautiful coastal area. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in visual and acoustic marine mammal surveying, photo-identification, habitat sampling and general data collection and practical skills obtained from participating in marine fieldwork.
Based from a small research vessel (6m), this research is carried out whenever weather conditions allow. Daily trips are up to 12 hours long, but we are typically on the water for up to 8 hours a day, with at least one day off per week due to unfavourable weather conditions. Volunteers must be available full-time including weekends, and must be comfortable on a small vessel in moderate sea states (up to Beaufort 4 with 2m swell). Volunteers are sought for the next two field seasons, which will take place from March 21st to May 30th (10 weeks), and June 20th to August 15th (9 weeks). Preference will be given to those willing to assist for at least four weeks due to the training involved. This is a volunteer position, but accommodation, including bed/bedding, laundry and cooking facilities, will be provided. Applicants will need to arrange their own travel, but transport between the fieldsite and Akaroa or Christchurch can be provided on arrival and departure. Applicants will be required to contribute to the cost of utilities and food. As we will be working and living in close quarters in a rural setting, applicants must be sociable, hardworking team players. Cooking and cleaning duties will be shared. Prerequisites: - Must have full driving license (manual transmission) - Boat driving and trailer backing skills - Must be comfortable on a small boat for long periods of time - Marine mammal survey experience preferred - Bsc or studying at senior undergraduate level in biology (or similar field) preferred - Interest in ecology and marine science Please send a letter of interest and CV to [email protected] Elanor Hutchison PhD Candidate Marine Science Department Otago University Dunedin, New Zealand E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: +64 22 044 1985
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