Dear MARMAM readers, I am seeking research assistants to help a PhD thesis on a behavioural study of dolphins in the Istanbul Strait. This is a project under the Istanbul University-Turkey under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Bayram Öztürk and Dr. Ayaka Amaha Öztürk. The project aims to determine the critical habitats and investigate the interactions between cetaceans and marine traffic. In the Istanbul Strait, there are three different species of dolphins which are common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and harbour porpoise. The strait is one of the narrowest straits in the world and has a vital importance on the international marine transportation (around 50.000 transit ships uses this passage annually). During the project, theodolite will be used for the purpose of determining the travel speed and diving interval as well as the distance between the dolphins and vessels. Moreover we will collect various behavioural data. Computer based photo-id studies will also be carried out. The research assistants will take part in: - data collection during the land and boat based fieldwork in the Istanbul Strait. - Data entry and organization of the photo-id files. Researchassistants should be prepared for long working days in the field, hours of work may vary between 6 to 12 hours per day, and expect to wake up very early (around 4h30 a.m. or 5h a.m. ) for the morning shifts. The work will be carried under hot and cold weathers conditions. The field work will take 3-4 days in a week and office work will take a day or two. Boat based observations will take place 3 or 4 days per month. Successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Istanbul-Turkey, and due to transport and boat operations applicants should contribute $400 for the project (for 2 months) and an extra $100 /month for the accommodation. Commitment is required for a minimum of 2 months. Successful applicants will need to: - be able to live and work with others in a multi cultural team - be available for at least 2 months however longer stays are preferred -have a strong desire to work with marine mammals under harsh condition This project provides an excellent opportunity for students and individuals interested in getting more experience in the field of marine mammal research. Applicants should send a short email introducing themselves to akkayaaylin@yahoo.com. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project. Please also attach a brief CV. There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Start and end dates are flexible. All the best, Aylin AKKAYA