December 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Seeking interns for dolphin field-work and quantitative analyses
by Robert Rankin 04 Dec '16

04 Dec '16

Hello World! We are excited to announce a mixed quantitative and field-based research assistant position to study bottlenose dolphins in with Mandurah Dolphin Research Project in Western Australia (WA). The position is open Jan 9th-Feb 28th 2017 and/or March 3rd-July 31st 2017. The Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU) commenced a research project in January 2016 aimed at gaining a solid understanding of the bottlenose dolphins using the Peel-Harvey Estuary (part of Ramsar Wetlands) and adjacent coastal waters. The overall aims of the project are to characterize population size and structure, habitat use and genetic connectivity of dolphins using the estuarine and coastal areas. We seek a dedicated and independent research assistant (volunteer) to run capture-recapture computer simulations and statistical analyses. The topics are focused on practical problems of estimating abundance and demographic processes from photo-ID data, modelled after the ongoing field studies conducted by the Mandurah Dolphin Research Project. The simulations are expected to inform the survey design and analytical methodology of the overall Project, and may contribute to scientific publications. In addition to quantitative work, the assistant is expected to participate in boat-based dolphin surveys with a team of biologists and field assistants. The position would suit either a statistics/computer science student wanting to gain more field-based experience, or a natural science student with strong coding skills. The main duties include: - Simulations: write computer scripts to simulate dolphin movement patterns and capture-recapture data collection; - Batch analyses: write R scripts to analyze simulation datasets; - Data collection: spot dolphins, drive the boat, take photographs for photo-identification, record data; - Data processing: upload data, enter data, match fins, map sightings; - Literature: read and review capture-recapture literature to inform simulations and analyses; - General: maintain the boat and car, clean equipment. Applicants are expected to have the following traits and qualifications: - can work independently; - intermediate or advanced proficiency in R (or another scientific computing language); - have prior experience debugging complicated computer code; - have the mathematical acumen to read, learn, discuss and implement basic statistical analyses. - have the mental and physical stamina to endure long days on a boat under intense sunlight while collecting complex data according to a rigorous protocol; - have a mixed background in biology, ecology, statistics, and computer programming, including some combination of formal tertiary education (B.Sc.) and relevant internships/jobs; - additional preferred skills include boat handling, first aid, experience in photo-ID, experience in population ecology analyses (but not necessary). The position would suit a student who is interested in a career in quantitative ecology. Supervision will be by two PhD students specializing in different aspects of capture-recapture. Ambitious and competent candidates may have the opportunity to pursue their own research interests, e.g. for academic research credit, such as a B.Sc. Honours project. Data collection (photo-identification and biopsy sampling) will be conducted in inland waters to up to 12nm offshore. Data collection is weather dependent and research assistants are expected to be available full time during day light hours throughout the time they commit to the project. This is an unpaid position and assistants need to organise their own travel to and from Mandurah, which is approximately 1 hr south of Perth in WA. The office space will be in a research house where assistants are required to rent a room for a cost of 150 AUD/week (inclusive of internet and bills) in shared accommodation. And for your free time Mandurah has everything you can think of a holiday town to offer (shops, cafes, bars, cinema, nature, hikes, camping, surfing, diving, snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking, wildlife spotting, skydiving etc.) and cosmopolitan Perth is only an hour away. To apply for this position please send me a cover sheet specifying why you would like to assist in this project, how you meet the qualifications, the time you are applying for, your CV and names and contact details of two references to R.rankin(a)murdoch.edu.au. Looking forward to hearing from you! Robert W Rankin & Krista Nicholson PhD Candidates Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit Perth, Western Australia

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Intern coordinator position - Dolphin Research
by bruno＠thebdri.com 04 Dec '16

04 Dec '16

The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) <http://www.thebdri.com/>, is a marine science centre dedicated to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat through education and research. On behalf of the BDRI, I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting applications for the following: INTERN COORDINATOR This position is responsible for assisting the BDRI biologists in the running of the "Marine Mammals Research Project in Galician waters, Spain" <http://www.thebdri.com/research/projects.html/> " and coordinating the interns participating in the project. Start Date: January 2017 End Date: October 2017 (start and end dates could be flexible, lasting a minimum of 6 months) Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: * Assisting the BDRI's biologists in all phases of the research and organization. * Coordinate between the BDRI's biologists and the interns - in charge of the intern shared house. * Assisting the BDRI's biologists in intern basic training of land- and boat based surveys, photo ID studies, Database entry, Bioacoustical analysis, GIS, and more. * Assisting the BDRI's biologists with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response, including live animal health assessment and triage, opportunistic public outreach, biological data collection, and sampling from dead stranded marine mammals. Requirements: - An academic background in biology, veterinary or natural science, coupled with motivation, willingness to work hard and interest in marine mammals research make the most qualified individuals. The successful applicant is expected to have a BSc degree (or higher) and able to demonstrate previous experience in marine mammal research. - The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team player as the project will involve working closely with other participants but also must be able to supervise small groups of people as they will be coordinating up to 9 interns. They must also be self-motivated with the drive and determination to work independently and responsibly. - Must be of good physical fitness, be able to lift/carry 35lbs (16 kg), walk long distances in difficult terrain, be comfortable on boats in nearshore/offshore waters, able to swim, and work in harsh weather conditions at times. - The intern coordinator must be able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively. - The intern coordinator must be able to spend many hours on the water, on shore, and working in the lab. Laboratory work days typically last 6 hours and field days typically exceed four hours and occur approximately two-three times per week. There will be one/two days off per week. - Fluent in English. Additional Information This post brings the opportunity to be trained by the BDRI' researchers. This position is unpaid but accommodation in the intern shared house will be covered. Successful applicants will be responsible and their own expenses, including food and travelling to and from the research centre in O Grove, Galicia, Spain. The project is based in O Grove, North-western coast of Spain and offers the participants the chance to work during many steps of the field research and data analysis. The main purpose of this program is to contribute towards a more detailed understanding of the ecology and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises, with a focus on ethology, social structure, habitat use, and communication. Furthermore, as the Galician coastline is known for frequent strandings of various marine mammals species, the BDRI is part of an important national network for rescue and data collection from these stranded animals. The intern coordinator is required to attend five days per week, which may include weekends and holidays. Since weather conditions are unpredictable, applicants with flexible daily schedules are preferred. The candidate should be prepared to perform in a variety of settings on any given day, including boat-based, laboratory, and strandings work. To apply: Applicants must be authorized to legally remain in Europe for more than 3 months if they are not European citizens. International applicants will be considered, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire necessary visas and documentation. The internship position requires the commitment for the full session (at least 6 months, between January 2017 - October 2017). Interested candidates should submit an application with the following: - A cover letter including your availability, i.e. preferred time period (1 page only); - A resume describing training, experience and relevant skills (2 pages only); - Names and contact information of at least one reference. Please send these items as e-mail attachments (PDF preferred) to: severine(a)thebdri.com Please specify BDRI INTERN COORDINATOR into your subject title. For more information about BDRI's research and conservation work, please visit www.thebdri.com and our Facebook page. Deadline: 18th December 2016. Interviews (via Skype) will be arranged for selected candidates. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 22nd December 2016. Regards, Bruno Diaz Lopez Chief Biologist and Director Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) Av. Beiramar 192, O Grove CP. 36980 Pontevedra-Spain tel. 00 34 684248552 <www.thebdri.com> This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private information. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any).

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Doctoral student position - Florida International University
by Melissa Soldevilla - NOAA Federal 02 Dec '16

02 Dec '16

On behalf of my colleague, Kevin Boswell at FIU, I'd like to request that the following PhD assistantship advertisement be posted to the listserve. Thank you! PhD Assistantship- Integrating active acoustics and marine mammal survey data to characterize prey fields for foraging marine mammals in the northern Gulf of Mexico A PhD assistantship is available for an enthusiastic and determined student to work in the Marine Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory at Florida International University (faculty.fiu.edu/~kmboswel) at Florida International University. We seek a doctoral student to work on a collaborative project between FIU and the Marine Mammal Program at NOAA’s SEFSC in Miami, FL. This student will work toward developing a firmer understanding of the dynamics that act to structure micronketon layers and the forage base that supports marine mammal foraging activities in the Gulf of Mexico. Sound scattering layers (SSLs) are ubiquitous features throughout the world’s oceans and the organisms comprising these layers are important components of these vast ecosystems. The depths at which SSLs occur are dynamic and often dependent on the depth of the water column and time of day, which gives rise to well-recognized and remarkable diel vertical migration patterns. These layers are often composed of fish, decapods, cephalopods, and many other species (some of which we know very little about) that are a key prey resource for larger predators, and in particular marine mammals. This project will link historical data collected in response to the the Deep Horizon Oil Spill and ongoing efforts funded in part by GOMRI( http://www.deependconsortium.org/) and NOAA’s Marine Mammal Program. The successful candidate should have an interest in the use of acoustics and survey methodology to study the interactions between predators and prey within the context of a large marine ecosystem. He/She will work closely with collaborators at NOAA to integrate acoustic recordings (passive), multifrequency acoustic data (active) and visual survey data to elucidate temporal and spatial distributions of pelagic and mesopelagic nekton in association with oceanographic features and focus on linking scattering responses to predator dynamics across the northern Gulf of Mexico. Demonstration of strong quantitative and analytical skills and familiarity with signal processing and/or non-linear methods is preferred. Candidates with demonstrated skills in scientific programming in Python, R or MATLAB are particularly sought. To apply: Submit a current CV, letter of interest, GRE scores and GPA to Drs. Kevin Boswell (kevin.boswell(a)fiu.edu) Lance Garrison ( lance.garrison(a)noaa.gov>) and Melissa Soldevilla ( melissa.soldevilla(a)noaa.gov) *Application deadline is December 20, 2016.* -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Melissa Soldevilla Research Fishery Biologist NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center 75 Virginia Beach Drive Miami, FL 33149 305-361-4238

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ECS 31st Annual Conference in Denmark
by Julie Bitz-Thorsen 02 Dec '16

02 Dec '16

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT ECS, Danish Marine Mammal Society and Aarhus University invites you to attend the 31st Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society at Hindsgavl Castle, Middelfart, Denmark Main conference will be on 1-3 May, 2017 Workshops will take place on 29-30 April, 2017 This year's theme is: CONSERVATION IN THE LIGHT OF MARINE SPATIAL USE INVITED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Professor Lars Bejder, Murdoch University, Cetacean Research Unit, Australia Dr. Asha De Vos, Post-doctoral scholar, University of California, Santa Cruz Dr. Len Thomas, University of St. Andrews, Scotland IMPORTANT DATES Abstract and workshop submission deadline: 13 January 2017 (23:45 CET) Early registration deadline: 15 March 2017 (23:45 CET) Video abstract submission deadline: 1 March 2017 (23:45 CET) Late registration deadline and: 1 April 2017 (23.45 CET) MORE INFORMATION <http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/31st-annual-conference-den…> Click on More Information to visit our webpage

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2017 Volunteer Positions at Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, New Quay, West Wales
by CBMWC 02 Dec '16

02 Dec '16

Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre New Quay Wales <http://www.cbmwc.org/> www.cbmwc.org Volunteers Positions 2017 Dedicated to conserving Cardigan Bays marine wildlife through education and research The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) is one of six local Wildlife Trusts in Wales and is part of a wider movement of 47 Wildlife Trusts which cover the whole of the British Isles. The Wildlife Trusts aim for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone, striving to secure Living Seas where marine wildlife thrives, from the depths of the ocean to the coastal shallows. We recognise this as an inspirational end point where our environment, society and economy coexist for the benefit of wildlife and people. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our volunteer team at Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC). Volunteers will gain valuable experience whilst helping us to collect data on the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay, man our visitor centre and inspire visitors and the public through community engagement activities. About CBMWC The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is a non-profit organisation based in New Quay, west Wales, UK. Since 1996 we have been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through education and research. Using boat-based and land-based surveys, photo-ID and acoustic studies we monitor bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and Atlantic grey seal populations in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and wider Irish Sea. We also run a busy visitor centre as well as our Discovery Room which offers marine educational and awareness raising activities for families, schools and groups. In April 2015 we became part of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) and we deliver the Trusts Living Seas programme. What You Will Gain Volunteering for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales at CBMWC is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a positive contribution to marine conservation and meet new people who share your interests. You will learn about the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay, gain experience in field work, research methods, data processing, public awareness and education programmes. Past volunteers have gone on to further education, work as Marine Mammal Observers and to work for other conservation or Government organisations. Volunteering Roles: <http://www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/seasonal-volunteers/> Living Seas Volunteers Volunteers will help us to collect data on the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay, run our visitor centre and inspire visitors and the public through community engagement activities. Volunteer positions are available from 27th March until 30th October 2017. You must be able to volunteer for an entire block and priority will be given to those who can volunteer for more than one block. · Block A 27th March 24th April (4 weeks) · Block B 24th April 22nd May (4 weeks) · Block C 22nd May 10th July (7 weeks) · Block D 10th July 4th September (8 weeks) · Block E 4th September 30th October (8 weeks) <http://www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/research-assistant/> Living Seas Research Assistant The volunteer will assist the Living Seas Science Officer with the delivery of our Living Seas research objectives focused on marine megafauna in Cardigan Bay and the Irish Sea The position is for the entire season season from 27th March to 30th November. <http://www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/shorefin-volunteers/> ShoreFin Volunteer The Volunteers will be responsible for our land-based bottlenose dolphin photo-identification project These positions are for the entire season from 27th March to 30th November. <http://www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/seal-photo-id/> SeaSeal Volunteer The Volunteers will be responsible for our Atlantic grey seal photo identification project. These positions are for the entire season from 27th March to 30th November. Volunteer fee: An administration fee of £45 will be required from all successful applicants. Accommodation Arrangements: Shared accommodation in a comfortable and fully equipped house will be arranged for successful volunteers (where required) at a cost of £55 per week (includes bills) and a £50 refundable deposit. Deposits will be refunded if the accommodation is left in the same condition it was found in. Please be aware that volunteers share same sex bedrooms. Volunteers are responsible for their own food, travel and accommodation costs. Due to payment arrangements with the house owners, accommodation costs are required in advance to cover the cost of each block so before applying please ensure that you can cover this and all other expenses. How To Apply: Please visit <http://www.cbmwc.org/2016/11/22/recruiting-volunteers-for-2017/> www.cbmwc.org <http://www.cbmwc.org> www.cbmwc.org for more information on each role and details on how to apply. The closing date for applications is 23:59pm on Sunday 30th January 2016 For further information Visit <http://www.cbmwc.org/> www.cbmwc.org/ If you have any questions please email <mailto:volunteer@cbmwc.org> volunteer(a)cbmwc.org with an appropriate subject line or call Laura on 01545 560224. ----------------------------- Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, Ffon/Phone: 01545 560224 Website: www.cbmwc.org <http://www.cbmwc.org/> Website: www.welshwildlife.org <http://welshwildlife.org/support-us/appeals/marine-appeal/> Marine Appeal E-mail Signature

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