SEEKING EXPERIENCED FIELD ASSISTANTS FOR RESEARCH ON BURRUNAN DOLPHINS IN SOUTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA. Positions now available for volunteer field assistants with the Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation’s (AMMCF) Project Burrunan; incorporating field surveys, boat-based photo-ID and biopsy sampling of Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops australis) across coastal Victoria, south-eastern Australia. Register your interest in joining AMMCFs volunteer field assistant pool. The positions are well suited to upper level undergraduates and graduate students who have some background in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or related field. ABOUT AMMCF The Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to “support and work with Australia’s marine mammal scientists and researchers to establish and advance the knowledge, conservation and protection of our marine mammals”. For further information please visit ammcf.org.au PROJECT OVERVIEW Project Burrunan focuses on using applied research to further investigate the newly described Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis)(Charlton-Robb et al. 2011). The aims of the project is to assess the species' distribution and range, gain better estimates of overall population size, assess the level of gene flow between the discrete populations and to assess potential migration pathways. This project will also investigate the presence and habitat use of the Burrunan across coastal and offshore regions of Victoria. This project is led by Dr Kate Charlton-Robb. LOCATION Single day trips on Port Phillip Bay. Multiple 5-10 day field trips in the Gippsland Lakes and across coastal Victoria. DATES There will be numerous field trips during 2014. Fieldwork will be weather dependent and will be conducted on weekdays and weekends. DUTIES & EXPECTATIONS • Assisting with boat-based photo-identification surveys of Burrunan dolphins. • Taking photos. • Driving small research vessel (Victorian boat licence required). • Recording field observations (dolphin and environmental). • Data entry. • Assisting at community awareness presentations. • Communal cooking and housekeeping duties (on multiple day field trips). PREREQUISITES • Experience of field research on small cetaceans (highly desirable). • Experience of photo-ID survey techniques (highly desirable). • Small boat operations experience (highly desirable). • Victorian Boat Licence (essential). • Not susceptible to debilitating seasickness (essential). • Be reliable, adaptable and hard-working (essential). • Be prepared to work long days (essential). • Be team-oriented, sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude (essential). EXPENSES This is an unpaid position. On multiple day field trips, accommodation at field sites will be provided at no cost to assistants. Volunteers will be expected to arrange their own travel to the field sites (however in some cases space may be available in the research vehicle). A communal ‘kitty’ is generally set up to cover the team’s food expenses. APPLICATION PROCESS: Please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, and contact details of two relevant referees to kcr@ammcf.org.au. Applications will be considered, if approved you will then be placed on AMMCFs field assistant list. As this field work is ongoing during 2014, you will be contacted on a regular basis and informed of field trip dates. All the best. Dr Kate Charlton-Robb Principal Researcher Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation PO Box 2046 Hampton East VIC 3188 e: kcr@ammcf.org.au w: ammcf.org.au