CETACEAN RESEARCH ASSISTANT OPPORTUNITY IN ICELAND WHAT: The project aims to investigate abundance, distribution, patterns of residency, social structure and health status of Minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and humpback whales in Faxaflói bay, Reykjavik, Iceland. One volunteer is needed for this project to help collecting photographs (photo-ID) of whales (minke, humpback and orca whales) and white-beaked dolphins and sighting data, geographical location (GPS), environmental parameters as well as effort data. Data will also comprised information behaviour of the sighted animal/s and the potential presence of calves. WHERE: The south part of Faxaflói Bay is facing Keflavík city where daily whale-watching tours are arranged to spot Minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, Humpback whales and harbour porpoises. Dolphin and Whale Spotting Whale-watching Company has been running whale-watching trips since 1999, with special interest in all whales visiting the bay and being involved in different cetacean research projects. WHEN: 13th June to 28th August 2011 CONDITIONS: For the boat based work, one whale-watching motor vessel will be used as research platform. The volunteer will be offered free accommodation, to share with other volunteers, in Garður (a rather small town of about 1400 people 10km north of Keflavík). The accommodation is equipped with bathroom and kitchen, provided by the municipality of Garður. Volunteers need to live and cook together. The successful applicant will need to both work and live together with people from different countries and backgrounds and therefore needs to be a very tolerant and flexible person. Last, the candidate will have to work as a contact between the whale-watching boat and the lighthouse (where another team of volunteer will work as part of the tracking project led by Fredrik Christiansen) as well, in which case Fredrik will buy him/her a sim card and refill cards. Because of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit for the entire duration of the project. Regarding costs, unfortunately this is an unpaid volunteer position and you would have to cover your own travel expenses to and from Iceland, your travel insurance (required!), as well as your food expenses during the project. Accommodation will be provided. DUTIES: Applicants should be ready to work long hours (07:00 to 17.00 or to 20.00 hours depending on weather conditions) and be expected to participate in the following duties: - collect data from whale-watching boat - data entry - data processing QUALIFICATIONS: - have a strong background in Marine biology/Oceanography, with knowledge and experience of marine mammal behaviour and/or sea birds - have previous wildlife field experience and ability to stand long working days, sometimes in rough sea conditions (seasick people should not apply for this position!) - have previous cetacean photo-identification skills - be computer literate with a working knowledge PC operating system and proficiency with MS Word and MS Excel. Familiarity with software including MS Access and Photoshop is very helpful. Possibility to bring your own Laptop is much preferred - be enthusiastic, hard-working, team oriented, able to share small living space on board - be adaptable, flexible and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent - have good English language skills - bring your own digital reflex camera and zoom lens HOW TO APPLY: CV or resume should include the following: - details of your availability - contact details of two referees - a brief description of yourself including your interest in marine mammals and what you hope to gain from this experience - any dietary requirements (i.e. vegetarian, vegan, etc.) Send applications both to Chiara G. Bertulli and Fredrik Christiansen (see below): Chiara G. Bertulli (PhD Student) Faxaflói Cetacean Research Principal Investigator/Research Coordinator c/o Reykjavík Whale-watching Company Ægisgardur 7 101 Reykjavík Iceland www.faxa-cetacean.org University of Iceland Biology Department Náttúrfræðahús/Askja Sturlugata 7 101 Reykjavik Iceland E-mail: cgb1@hi.is / ciarabertulli@yahoo.it Mobile: +354-8618307 Skype: chiara.giulia.bertulli and Fredrik Christiansen (PhD Student) University of Aberdeen Institute of Biological Sciences Tillydrone Ave Aberdeen AB24 2TZ United Kingdom University of Iceland Biology Department Náttúrfræðahús/Askja Sturlugata 7 101 Reykjavik Iceland E-mail: f.christiansen@abdn.ac.uk Mobile: +44 78 18725081