[MARMAM] Research assistants needed in Shark Bay

8 Feb 2018

      G'day Marmamers,

We are seeking volunteer research assistants for the Shark Bay Dolphin Research Alliance’s (http://www.sharkbaydolphins.org<http://www.sharkbaydolphins.org/>) forthcoming field season in Shark Bay, Western Australia. An assistant is needed from early April until the end of May (~7 weeks), while two others are required from early August through November (~15 weeks).

Our research is conducted from two long-term dolphin research sites, the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort in the eastern gulf of Shark Bay (since 1982) and the small township of Useless Loop in the western gulf (since 2007). We carry out boat-based surveys, collecting a combination of photo-ID, behavioural, acoustic, ecological and genetic data from the resident dolphins and their environment.

Days on the water can be long and tiring in variable conditions, but you will encounter dolphins that form multi-level alliances, and those that exhibit remarkable foraging specialisations (including sponging and shelling), as well as the myriad of other wildlife (e.g. sharks, rays, turtles, dugongs) inhabiting this remote World Heritage Area. When the weather does not permit fieldwork, you will be working on photo-matching and processing, data entry, and the long-term database.

We seek dedicated, hard-working individuals with the willingness and ability to acquire new skills, as well as work diligently on routine tasks. As we live and work in close quarters for extended periods, we need easy-going team players, and a positive attitude is imperative. Prior field experience, including familiarity with conducting photo-ID and the handling of small (<6m) boats are highly desirable qualities.

As stated, these are volunteer positions and you will need to make your own way to Shark Bay, but food and accommodation (in dongas, i.e. single person quarters) on-site are covered. Only those who can commit to the entire field season (either the 7 weeks or the 15 weeks) will be considered.

Applicants should send a CV (max 3 pages), including contact details of two referees, and a short (max 1 page) cover letter in a single PDF to PhD candidate and field team leader Sonja Wild (bssw@leeds.ac.uk<mailto:bssw@leeds.ac.uk>) for the April/May position or Dr. Stephanie King (stephanie.king@uwa.edu.au<mailto:stephanie.king@uwa.edu.au>) for the Aug-Nov positions. Deadline for applications is the Friday 23rd of February.

All the best, Simon

~~~~~~~~~~

Simon Allen, PhD

School of Biological Sciences | Oceans Institute

University of Western Australia

Crawley WA 6009

Mob: (61-0) 416 083 653

Email: simon.allen@uwa.edu.au<file://localhost/applewebdata/::006C211F-965E-4B11-879F-544A520C4A7B:s.allen@murdoch.edu.au>

Web: http://www.sharkbaydolphins.org<http://www.sharkbaydolphins.org/>

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