Field assistants needed for research on Burrunan Dolphins in Coffin Bay, South Australia
Fieldwork dates: from 1st February until 11th May 2014. * Commitment to more than one month and for the full duration of the season will be highly favoured, we'll only select those willing to participate at least one month. Application deadline: 15th December 2013 Project title: Population size, spatial ecology and socio-genetic structure of the Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops australis) in Coffin Bay, Thorny Passage Marine Park (TPMP), South Australia. Institution: Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL); Flinders University www.cebel.org.au<http://www.cebel.org.au/> www.facebook.com/CEBELresearch<http://www.facebook.com/CEBELresearch> Overview: We are seeking experienced field assistants to help two PhD students during summer-autumn season with boat-based photo-ID and biopsy sampling of Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops australis) in Coffin Bay, one of the most beautiful marine parks of South Australia. Project aim: provide baseline information on the ecology, habitat use, social and genetic population structure of Burrunan dolphins in the TPMP in South Australia. This research is part of a larger research program into this species lead by the Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab at the School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University. 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. Duties: Searching for dolphins, driving the boat, photo-identification, recording field observations, equipment cleaning and data entry (incl. fin matching). Expectations: Field assistants need to be adaptable and patient as weather is highly dependent. We will be committed to go sampling everyday whenever weather allows us. If not, we'll be working in data entry and fin matching of identified individuals. Assistants will need to be prepared for early morning departures (6-7AM) and long days (6-12 hours) on the water for multiple consecutive days. Expect up to a week between days off, as field work is weather dependent. Prerequisites: ü Experience of working on a small boat (highly desirable, Coxswain certificate will be highly favoured); ü Experience of photo-ID survey techniques (highly desirable); ü Experience of field research on small cetaceans (highly desirable); ü Enrolled in or completed a degree in biology, marine science, animal behaviour or a related field (desirable) ü No history of debilitating seasickness (essential); ü Be team-oriented, patient, and have an enthusiastic attitude to hard work and collecting data on the natural environment (essential); ü Fluent English or Spanish (highly desirable). Conditions: We'll provide accommodation during the entire field season in Coffin Bay. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide monetary compensation. Assistants will be responsible for their own travel to Port Lincoln, South Australia, and will have to pay for their own food. We'll share house duties including cooking and cleaning. If you are interested, please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, and contact details of two relevant referees. This information must be sent in an e-mail with the subject 'Field assistant' before 15th December 2013 to: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> and [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> If you are attending to the Biennial in Dunedin, NZ, please send your application and e-mail to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> ASAP to arrange a meeting with Cecilia there, and see you during the Conference!!! Kind Regards, Cecilia and Fernando ____________________________________ Fernando Diaz-Aguirre Marine Biologist (MSc), PhD Candidate Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab School of Biological Sciences Flinders University of South Australia GPO Box 2100/Adelaide SA 5001 Mobile: +61 4 98189090 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> www.cebel.org.au<http://www.cebel.org.au/> www.facebook.com/CEBELresearch<http://www.facebook.com/CEBELresearch>
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