Dear all, I am a PhD student at the University of Otago with a project focussing on the potential impacts of tourism activities on behaviour and ecology of spinner dolphins in the Egyptian Red Sea. I am seeking skilled volunteers to assist me this summer (1 June to 10 August 2013) in fieldwork taking place in the area of Marsa Alam (Egypt). Volunteers will work in close collaboration with me and personnel from the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA), an Egyptian leading NGO (www.hepca.org). This is a great opportunity to explore beautiful offshore reefs in the Southern Egyptian Red Sea, enjoy marine biodiversity and live in a multicultural environment while gaining a solid and intense field experience. Fieldwork consists of 3-10 day boat-based surveys organised in sites of interest and involve behavioural, acoustic and photo-identification data collection. In between surveys the team will be based in Marsa Alam and volunteers are required to assist with data entry, preliminary processing and equipment maintenance. Life and work can be very demanding and applicants should be relatively fit. Successful candidates have (or are pursuing) a degree in zoology or related topics, are good snorkelers and have previous experience in marine mammal research. Assistants are flexible and patient, have positive attitude, good interpersonal skills and English proficiency, and are comfortable onboard. Candidates should be able to commit for a minimum of 5 weeks, preference is given to those available for the entire season. Volunteers should bring their own laptop computer and snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins). This is an unpaid position. Successful candidates will need to provide their own transport to/from Hurghada and food/accommodation on site (this will be arranged through HEPCA and possibly with other team members). Accommodation is provided during the boat-based survey, but interns will be asked to contribute to food and research expenses with 5 Euro a day. The final surveys calendar will be communicated to applicants as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that, due to the current Egyptian political situation, plans and schedules can be subject to unanticipated changes: I thank you all for your understanding. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. If interested in the position, I suggest you have a preliminary look at travel arrangements and email me at fumma785@student.otago.ac.nz a short relevant CV (including references) and cover letter by the 13th May 2013. Successful applicants will be contacted for an interview and final decisions will be made by May, the 17th. Best, Maddalena Fumagalli PhD Student Department of Zoology University of Otago, New Zealand Email: fumma785@student.otago.ac.nz http://redseadolphinproject.wordpress.com/ http://www.hepca.org