A marine mammal acoustician position is opening at the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), based in Hobart, Tasmania. It will be advertised shortly, but in the meantime, I'll be happy to answer any questions regarding the job in my last few weeks here. A more detailed description follows, but essentially the applicant would need good technical, fieldwork, and analytical skills for: 1) flexible analyses of various long-term acoustic datasets (e.g. matlab or similar skills to deal with multiple acoustic datatypes); 2) technical development of long-term autonomous sea-floor recorders; 3) running a multi-year, international program of autonomous recorder deployments; 4) conducting vessel based sonobuoy surveys localizing whales; plus 5) an ability to do impacts of noise assessments/interpretation for policymakers. It is really a fantastic position (I've been here 6 years), with obvious opportunities to go on voyages down south, and working with a great group of people in the Australian Marine Mammal Centre. If you happen to know anyone who might be interested, please pass this on to them. cheers, Jason jason.gedamke@aad.gov.au FUNCTION OF THE POSITION The marine mammal acoustician will work within the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, which is part of the Australian Antarctic Division's Southern Ocean Ecosystems Programme in the Science Branch. The acoustician will work within a leadership team dealing with all issues in the Marine Mammal Centre and will take primary responsibility for all cetacean acoustic research in addition to policy advice related to interactions between marine mammals and noise. The scientist will conduct strategic and focused research relevant to the priorities of the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan and other agreed priorities of the Marine Mammal Centre. This work will include a key role working in the International Whaling Commission, taking responsibility for the Australian Government's Southern Ocean cetacean acoustics research program, and its contribution to the multinational collaborative Southern Ocean Research Partnership. The appointee will have a keen interest and experience in delivering science into policy and management, and will work closely with policy colleagues within the Australian Antarctic Division, within DEWHA in Canberra, as well as with key industry and science stakeholders. The appointee will also work closely with the Australia-wide cetacean acoustics science and stakeholder communities that interact with the Centre, and will be expected to participate actively in international fora relevant to applied cetacean acoustics issues.. KEY ACTIVITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES The marine mammal acoustician will be required to design and conduct marine mammal acoustic research relevant to the goals of the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan and other agreed priorities of the Australian Marine Mammal Centre. In particular: Take a leadership role in an integrated cetacean acoustics research program to be conducted around Antarctica as a part of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership Participate in approved research projects that might lead to improvements in the management of interactions between marine mammals and noise Participate in relevant multidisciplinary Southern Ocean research projects and programs Support the leader and coordinator of the Australian Marine Mammal Centre in a senior role in the administration and management of the Centre, its staff and its stakeholder communities. Work collegially within a team of scientists at the Australian Marine Mammal Centre and more broadly within the AAD's Science Branch. Represent the Australian government and the AAD at national and international fora, as required. Provide clear and relevant technical advice and support to policy colleagues in DEWHA on issues of marine mammal conservation and management, with a particular focus on the applied aspects of acoustics and noise. Write scientific reports and papers. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS A PhD in a relevant discipline from an Australian University or qualification of equivalent standard from an Australian or overseas university, or other qualifications appropriate to the duties of the position. JOB SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS Proven and established research background working on all aspects of large whale acoustics programs. Experience should include electronics and technical capability to oversee development and handling of autonomous underwater recording units, as well as all aspects of vessel based acoustic surveys to localize vocalizing whales using DIFAR sonobuoys. (40%) An ability to conduct acoustic analyses on a wide range of acoustic datasets. This should include experience with Matlab or other similarly flexible programming language, and manipulation of various sound file formats. (30%) Strong technical, analytical and interpretive skills to provide understandable, non-technical strategic advice to managers on the potential impacts of noise on marine mammals. This should include experience working on the delivery of technical acoustic research and other marine mammal science into the policy and management arena. (20%) Demonstrated organisational and leadership skills, and ability to work well with teams. (10%) ____________________________ Jason Gedamke, PhD Australian Marine Mammal Centre Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Highway Kingston, TAS 7050 ph: +61 (0)3 6232 3153 mob: +61 (0)4 0938 8990 fax: +61 (0)3 6232 3449 ___________________________________________________________________________ Australian Antarctic Division - Commonwealth of Australia IMPORTANT: This transmission is intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited by Commonwealth law. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail or by telephoning +61 3 6232 3209 and DELETE the message. Visit our web site at http://www.antarctica.gov.au/ ___________________________________________________________________________