SEEKING RESEARCH ASSISTANTS PROJECT: Enhancing the ecological basis for the conservation and management of Australian snubfin and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. I am seeking three skilled research assistants for the 2006 field season to assist me in collecting behavioural and genetic data on Australian Snubfin and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins off the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia. The field season for 2006 will last approximately 12 weeks from mid August thru the end of November. Our fieldwork will be based in the city of Townsville, northeast Queensland. Because of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit to the project for a minimum of 4 weeks. Applicants willing to participate the whole 12 weeks will be given preference. BACK GROUND: Knowledge about the ecology and anthropogenic threats to Australia's coastal dolphins is scant, particularly for rare tropical species such as the snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and the Indo-Pacific humpback (Sousa chinensis) dolphins. Recent research carried out by GJP in Cleveland Bay, northeast Queensland, indicates that Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins occur in small, localised populations close to coastal and estuarine environments. This information suggests that populations of both species are vulnerable to anthropogenic mortality and potentially rapid population declines. This study aims to improve the basis for the conservation and management of snubfin and humpback dolphins by: 1) developing spatial models of habitat suitability, 2) identifying areas of potential conflict with anthropogenic activities, and 3) assessing the level of genetic structure among populations of snubfin and humpback dolphins in Queensland waters. FIELD WORK: All observations and data collection will be conducted from a 5m rigid inflatable or aluminium boat. In addition we will be conducting one long-range survey (up to 20 days in length) onboard a 10m powerboat with a flybridge. Assistants should be prepared to work long hours (06:00 to 16:00 hours depending on weather conditions).and be expected to participate in the following duties: photo-identification, video, behavioural, distance sampling and biopsy data collection, fin matching, and database maintenance. Aboard the research boat assistants will be required to assist in boat piloting and handling, and participate in all regular duties related to the maintenance of the boat and research equipment. Field work is demanding but you will have a great opportunity to observe two of Australia's rarest coastal dolphins and also gain hands-on experience in relation to survey techniques, behavioural observations, and genetic sampling of marine mammals. Such experience will prove valuable to anyone hoping to pursue a career in marine wildlife ecology, behaviour, and management. APPLICANTS SHOULD: 1. Be enthusiastic, hard-working, team oriented, have a positive attitude and a genuine interest in marine mammal ecology and behaviour. 2. Be adaptable, flexible and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent This means:1) sometimes we will be stuck onshore for long periods of time, 2) sometimes we will have long consecutive fieldwork days, and 3) fieldwork during weekend days may be required. 3. Be prepared to rise early in the morning and work long hours in a small boat. 4. Be able to commit for a minimum of 4 weeks (though applicants willing to commit for the whole 12 week period will be preferred) 5. Have a background in biology, marine science, animal behaviour or a related field 6. Previous field experience and boat handling skills would be advantageous but is not a prerequisite. Unfortunately I am unable to provide salary or housing and research assistants will be responsible for travel to Townsville and their own living expenses. Food and living space will be provided during long-range surveys and fieldtrips outside of the Townsville area. If you are interested, please provide a short CV with references and a letter explaining your interest in the project and career goals to Guido J. Parra (g.parra@uq.edu.au). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Guido J. Parra, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow School of Veterinary Science University of Queensland St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Ph: (07) 3365-3066 Mob: 0437630843 Fax: (07) 3365-1255 Email: <mailto:g.parra@uq.edu.au> g.parra@uq.edu.au Webpage: <http://www.uq.edu.au/vetschool/index.html?page=47564&pid=47559> http://www.uq.edu.au/vetschool/index.html?page=47564&pid=47559 <http://www.uq.edu.au/vetschool/index.html?page=47564&pid=47559> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~