December 2013 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Field assistants needed for research on Burrunan Dolphins in Coffin Bay, South Australia, 2014.
by Fernando Diaz Aguirre 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

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: cecilia.passadore(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:cecilia.passadore@flinders.edu.au> and fernando.diaz(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:fernando.diaz@flinders.edu.au> If you are attending to the Biennial in Dunedin, NZ, please send your application and e-mail to cecilia.passadore(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:cecilia.passadore@flinders.edu.au> 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 fernando.diaz(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:fernando.diaz@flinders.edu.au> www.cebel.org.au<http://www.cebel.org.au/> www.facebook.com/CEBELresearch<http://www.facebook.com/CEBELresearch>

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ECS abstract
by ecs2014 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

Dear ECS and MARMAM members The website for abstract submission (http://liege.europeancetaceansociety.eu/content/submitting-abstract) for 2014 conference will be closed on Monday December 2, midnight Regards For the committee T. Jauniaux

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Graduate position: PhD studentship in marine mammal evolutionary genomics
by Joe Hoffman 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

PhD studentship in marine mammal evolutionary genomics Supervisors: Dr Joe Hoffman (Bielefeld University, Germany) and Dr Jaume Forcada (British Antarctic Survey, UK) Many studies of wild populations reveal links between heterozygosity and fitness, with highly heterozygous individuals carrying fewer parasites, living longer and being more attractive to mates. However, because most studies use only around ten microsatellite markers, we do not yet know which of two possible mechanisms is most important nor which types of gene could be involved. This studentship will take full advantage of emerging next-generation technologies to elucidate the relationship between heterozygosity and fitness in a natural vertebrate system based on a large body of genetic and observational data from an intensively studied colony of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella). The objective is to determine the main mechanism(s) responsible for heterozygosity-fitness correlations using a combination of high-density SNP genotyping, linkage mapping and comparative genomics. We seek a bright and highly motivated student who ideally holds an M.Sc. or equivalent in a relevant topic (e.g. population, evolutionary or conservation genetics, bioinformatics). Experience of working with next generation sequence data (including writing custom scripts), SNP discovery and genotyping (including RAD sequencing and high-density SNP arrays) and quantitative genetics (including linkage mapping) would be advantageous, but full training will be provided. The ideal candidate will also be able to work both independently and as part of a team. A high standard of spoken and written English is required. The student will be based at the Department of Animal Behaviour at Bielefeld University (www.uni-bielefeld.de/biologie/vhf/index.html) The department is the oldest of its kind in Germany and currently hosts six principal investigators, seven postdocs and twenty PhD students. It offers a stimulating international environment and an excellent research infrastructure including a brand new molecular laboratory. The working language of the Department is English. The student will also have the opportunity to interact with cooperation partners (Prof Jon Slate and Dr Jochen Wolf) through placements at Sheffield and Uppsala Universities respectively. Bielefeld is a city of 325,000 inhabitants with an attractive historical centre and easy access to the Teutoberger Wald for hiking and other outdoor pursuits. It offers a very high standard of living and is well connected to most major European cities. This generous studentship, which provides a net salary of at least €1500 per month and includes health insurance, is funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG) for a period of three years. Funding is also available for attending conferences. To apply for the position, please provide: (i) a letter of motivation including a maximum 2-page statement of your research interests, relevant skills and experience; (ii) a CV including publication list; and (iii) names and contact details of three referees willing to write confidential letters of recommendation. All materials should be emailed as a single PDF file to: joseph.hoffman(a)uni-bielefeld.de with 'PhD application' in the subject line. The University of Bielefeld is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly welcome applications from women. Given equal suitability, qualifications and professional achievement, women will be given preference, unless particular circumstances pertaining to a male applicant apply. The application deadline is January 10th 2014 and interviews will take place shortly afterwards. The preferred start date is flexible and will depend on the timeframe of the most qualified applicant. For further information, please see http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/biologie/vhf/JH or contact Joe Hoffman via email (joseph.hoffman(a)uni-bielefeld.de) with any informal inquiries. For representative publications, please see: Hoffman et al. (2003) Evolution, 57: 1917–1930; Hoffman et al. (2007) Nature, 445: 912–914; and Hoffman et al. (2013) BMC Genomics, 14: 52. Joe Hoffman Department of Animal Behaviour University of Bielefeld Postfach 100131 33501 Bielefeld Germany +49 (0)521 1062711 http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/biologie/vhf/JH/index.html

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