VOLUNTEERS FIELD HELPERS RECRUITMENT ------------------------------------ PROJECT: Long term study of MARINE MEGAFAUNA of the FALKLAND ISLANDS. POSITION: Volunteer (unpaid) field helper. DURATION: about 3 months and a half, two shifts: 1) late August 2018 to early December 2018, and 2) early December 2018 to late March 2019; exact dates in the field to be established later. LOCATION: Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands, Southern Atlantic Ocean. Sea Lion Island on Google maps: https://www.google.com/maps?q=Sea%25Lion%25Island,%2520Falkland%25Islands>https://www.google.com/maps?q=Sea%25Lion%25Island,%2520Falkland%25Islands DUTIES: - Southern elephant seals: counts, marking, mapping, observation of behavior, pup handling, collection of samples, sedation and handling of females for TDR and satellite tag deployment - Killer whales: photoidentification, observation and videotaping of behavior, necropsies of preys - Falklands skuas: counts, nest identification and mapping, observation of behavior - Raptors: counts, nest identification and mapping, observation of behavior - Marine birds: counts and mapping of different species (different species of penguins, cormorants, gulls, geese, and ducks) - Environmental monitoring: collection of microclimatic data, habitat classification, collection of GIS data DEADLINE: June 10th 2018; please note that, capabilities being equal, positions will be allocated with a first come first served policy. DESCRIPTION Volunteer field helpers are required for the 2018-2019 field season of various long-term research projects on marine megafauna of the Falkland Islands, carried out by the Elephant Seal Research Group. The field work site is Sea Lion Island. Successful applicants will receive adequate training and will help with: - a long term project (23 years) on individual life histories and breeding strategies of southern elephant seals - a long term project (5 years) on social and hunting behaviour of mammal-eating killer whales - a study of Falklands skua demography, behavior and vocal communication - various monitoring projects on the different marine and raptor bird species breeding on Sea Lion Island - general environmental monitoring of the island, including the collection of data for the Sea Lion Island GIS Volunteers will be supervised by the PIs and/or by trained technicians. Previous experience of field work is appreciated but not essential. We are recruiting helpers for two shifts; - late August to early December: focus is elephant seals breeding, killer whales predation on weaned elephant seal pups, establishment of pairs and territories by skuas - early December to late March: focus are elephant seal weaned pups and moulters, general killer whales activity and behavior, study of skuas behavior and communication, monitoring of breeding of marine birds and raptors, collection of general environmental data Only applicants who can stay for a whole shift (about 3 months and a half) can be taken into consideration. No volunteer is allowed to apply to stay for both shifts, so please state clearly in your cover letter for which one you are applying (first or second) or, if you are available for both, which of the two you prefer (although we cannot guarantee to meet your preference). Applicants are required to pay all expenses to get to Sea Lion Island, and telephone/Internet expenses while there. Accommodation and food at SLI will be provided by the ESRG. Accommodation on SLI is rather basic and self-catering, but comfortable for a field research setting (heating, hot water, shower, Internet connection hotspot in the nearby lodge). We are asking volunteers a 300 GBP contribution to help us with management expenses and individual research equipment repair/maintenance. Applicants will be required to work in the field for the whole length of the day, seven days per week, with just an half day of rest per week. Volunteers are required to help with cooking, cleaning of their cabin and general maintenance tasks. The data collection protocol is complex, the field work is physically demanding, and the weather is often not very good. People without a good tolerance to cold are discouraged to apply. It is a very rewarding, but demanding, experience. The island is a wonderful place with large unspoiled sandy beaches, and a very rich and very tame wildlife. It is the best hot spot for wildlife watching in the Falklands, it is an Important Birds Area and an Important Plants Area, a RAMSAR convention site, and a National Nature Reserve. APPLICATION To apply please send 1) a cover letter describing your interest in the position and summarizing your qualifications for it, 2) a detailed CV, and 3) a copy of an identification document (with picture). Reference letters (3 maximum) are appreciated, but not essential, and should be sent directly to the email address mentioned below. If you think you may have extra documentation that can be relevant (eg, copy of a thesis, certificates, etc.) please mention them in your email, but don't send them unless we ask. Please put all documents in a single PDF file, name it as "your_surname - ESRG2018 - application", and email it as an attachment of an email to Dr. Filippo Galimberti (fil_esrg@eleseal.org). Deadline for first call applications is June 10th, 2018. Due to the limited number of positions available we warmly suggest perspective candidates to apply as soon as possible. Further details about the position are available here: http://www.eleseal.org/info_helpers_eng.html Thanks The ESRG team Con Mobile Open 6 GB hai 6 Giga, 600 minuti e 300 SMS per il tuo smartphone a 9€ al mese per sempre. Passa ora a Tiscali Mobile, il nostro mese è vero! http://tisca.li/Open6GB0318