Dear Marmam,

Please post this updated advertisement below at your earliest convenience. I 
initially sent it through last Friday 26th July for a due date this Friday 2nd 
August but I'll now have to extend the submission date to Monday 5th August to 
allow people sufficient time to make a submission.

Thanks very much for your help.

Kind regards,

Tim Hunt

URGENTLY SEEKING EXPERIENCED FIELD ASSISTANTS for research on tropical dolphins 
around Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Fieldwork dates: Commencing late August 2013 for 8-10 weeks (field season ends 
late October 2013).

Application deadline: Monday 5th August 2013 (apologies for short turnaround)


Project title: Population size, habitat use and social structure of Australian 
humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) around the North West Cape, Western 
Australia.

Institution: Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab; Flinders 
University; South Australia www.cebel.org.au<http://www.cebel.org.au>

Overview: I am seeking experienced field assistants to assist with boat-based 
photo-ID of humpback (and bottlenose) dolphins around the North West Cape in 
north-western Australia for 8-10 weeks starting no later than 1 September 2013.

* Only applicants that can commit for the full 8-10 week period will be 
considered *

This project is currently underway and aims to collect baseline information on 
the abundance, habitat use and social structure of humpback dolphins (Sousa 
chinensis) around the North West Cape to improve the scientific basis for their 
conservation and management. The project is funded by the Australian Marine 
Mammal Centre and our research is in collaboration with the Murdoch University 
Cetacean Research Unit.

This is an opportunity to gain experience in field techniques for small 
cetacean research and contribute to a project with very high conservation and 
management value. Furthermore, it provides assistants the opportunity to 
conduct research in a unique natural setting along the World Heritage Listed 
Ningaloo Coast, home to one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world, 
Ningaloo Reef. The region is extremely picturesque and abundant with marine 
life, including seasonal visits from whale sharks (April-August) and humpback 
whales (July-November). A spectacular research setting!

Location: We are based in the town of Exmouth on the tropical North West Cape 
of Western Australia. The small research team is staying in house accommodation 
within walking distance of the Exmouth town centre.

Duties: Searching for dolphins, driving the boat, taking photos, making and 
recording field observations, equipment cleaning and basic maintenance, data 
entry (incl. fin matching), a fair share in communal cooking and housekeeping 
duties, and generally working hard and having a great time in a beautiful and 
unique part of the Australian coastline.

Expectations: Field assistants need to be available full-time, including 
weekends, and be prepared for early morning departures (6-7AM), long days (7-10 
hours) on the water for multiple consecutive days, and lengthy days 
transcribing data. Expect up to a week between days off. Expect to spend 
sometimes several days stranded on land. If the weather isn't right we won't be 
conducting the surveys and will have to wait it out. So bring a book or two and 
lots of movies to watch. Expect to see dolphins, dugongs... and turtles....and 
sharks...... and lots of whales. We've been here since late May and have seen a 
lot of everything! Most of all, expect to learn a lot while having an awesome 
time.


Prerequisites:

*         Experience of working on and driving a small boat (essential);

*         Experience of photo-ID survey techniques (highly desirable);

*         Experience of field research on small cetaceans (highly desirable);

*         No history of debilitating seasickness (essential);

*         Be team-oriented, patient, clean, and have an enthusiastic attitude 
to hard work, long hours and collecting data on the natural environment 
(essential).

*         Experience in Microsoft Excel and Access (highly desirable)

*         Fluent in English (highly desirable)

Expenses: This is an unpaid position. However, food and accommodation in 
Exmouth are provided at no cost to assistants. Assistants are responsible for 
their own travel costs to/from Exmouth (direct flights available from Perth).

Please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, 
and contact details of two relevant referees to 
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> by Monday 5th August 
2013.

Tim Hunt
PhD Candidate
Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL)
School of Biological Sciences
Flinders University of South Australia

[cid:[email protected]]<http://www.cebel.org.au/>


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