PhD opportunity – Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) population ecology.

 The Cetacean Research Group of the Coastal and Marine Research Institute (CMR, www.cmr.nmmu.ac.za) at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape, South Africa) is a dynamic research group working on a number of projects, investigating the natural history, population dynamics and structure and health assessment of local marine mammals populations, including whales and dolphins, in Eastern Cape waters (Algoa Bay and the Wild Coast).

 An opportunity has arisen at short notice for a highly qualified and enthusiastic candidate to conduct a PhD study on the abundance, site fidelity, habitat use and social structure of the Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Algoa Bay, South Africa. The study will be jointly supervised by Dr. Stephanie Plön and Dr. Thibaut Bouveroux

 The successful candidate will need to be a team player, with good written and verbal skills, have experience in small boat handling (skippers license) and prior knowledge of taking photographs for photo-identification purposes. He/ she will also need to be able to work independently, be fit and able to spend up to eight hours at sea under sometimes strenuous conditions. Experience with surf launches is a plus as are prior GIS skills and good statistical skills.

 Interested candidates should send their CV, names, contact telephone and e-mail addresses of three referees, a cover letter expressing their motivation and interest in the study, and a university transcript of their MSc qualification to either Dr. Stephanie Plön (stephanie.plon@nmmu.ac.za) or Dr. Thibaut Bouveroux (thibaut.bouveroux@nmmu.ac.za) by 20th July 2015.

 The PhD position will be available pending final approval of funding for the project and the selected student gaining a PhD scholarship.