A highly motivated volunteer field assistant is needed for the month of January 2014 to assist with a Ph.D. project assessing the mating tactics of dusky dolphins off Kaikoura, New Zealand. This research is in collaboration with Dr. Bernd Würsig at Texas A&M University at Galveston. This position is unpaid and field assistants are responsible for their own food expenses and travel to/from Kaikoura. Housing is provided in a stunning luxury home with incredible views and private bedrooms. Typical field days involve being on the water from 8 AM through 4 PM followed by several hours of data processing. Data is collected whenever the weather conditions are conducive including weekends. The primary duty entails operating a 6-m research vessel including launching and docking the vessel, safely maneuvering the vessel to determined GPS co-ordinates, and following dolphin pods while facilitating smooth conditions for videography and photography. Addition daily responsibilities include assisting with Photo-ID analysis such as cropping and matching dolphin dorsal fin photographs. Applicants should have extensive oceanic experience operating motorboats including launching, docking, bunking, and trailering a boat. Applicants with previous experience operating vessels near marine mammals should explain details in their cover letter. Please also indicate in your cover letter if you are able to operate a manual/standard vehicle and if you have experience backing up a trailer. Expectations: Applicants should be hard working, able to follow instructions with precision, exceptional communicators, innovative problem solvers, and comfortable on boats. This project involves continuous teamwork and applicants must be able to get along well with others and maintain a positive attitude under stressful conditions. The position can be physically and mentally demanding and is best suited for those with a passion for behavioral ecology field work. To apply, please send a cover letter and cv detailing relevant field work experience with reference contact details to orbachd@tamug.edu . Applications will be considered on a first-come first-serve basis. Dara Orbach
Ph.D. candidate
Marine Mammal Behavioral Ecology Group Department of Marine Biology- IDP Texas A&M University at Galveston orbachd@tamug.edu http://www.tamug.edu/mmbeg