Hello everybody,

this is to inform you that the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) is selecting field assistants to join the Red Sea Dolphin Project in the upcoming 2012 summer expedition (http://redseadolphinproject.wordpress.com).
The project is the first scientific survey dedicated to the study of dolphins and whales presence, abundance, distribution and habitat preferences in the Southern Egyptian Red Sea. Starting from this upcoming season, the project will be supported and promoted by the Earthwatch Institute (http://www.earthwatch.org/exped/costa.html).
The research is entirely boat-based, conducted on board the 35m long HEPCA research vessel, and surveys a strip of marine waters 50Km wide from Marsa Alam all the way south to the Sudanese border. Every 10 days the boat docks for water and fuel supply and to embark/land eco-volunteers, the majority of the time is spent at sea and we usually overnight in offshore reefs. This is an excellent opportunity to get some experience in visual and acoustic marine mammal survey, photo-identification, behavioural data collection and coral reef monitoring, as well as develop practical skills, while exploring a pristine subtropical region.

The summer survey is organized in one leg from the 10th of June to the 31st of July 2012.

Applicants should be ready to work long hours (from sunrise to sunset, and occasionally also during night-time navigation) in demanding weather conditions, 7 days a week.
Applicants are at ease on a boat and comfortable sharing small spaces with other researchers and volunteers. As meals are prepared by the crew and shopping done every 10 days in remote areas, fussy eaters are discouraged from applying(vegetarianism can be accommodated). High motivation and ability to concentrate for several hours are essential.

Duties include:
•    Learn all research protocols and carry out independently duties assigned;
•    Entry data in real time (Access and Base databases);
•    Crop, sort and manage images for photo-identification;
•    Perform underwater photo-identification data collection;
•    Assist with behavioural and genetic data collection;
•    Carry on Bleach Watch Monitoring (training will be provided);
•    Clean and maintain equipment;
•    Hold lectures on various research and environmental topics;
•    Entertain, help and assist Earthwatch volunteers on board;
•    Keep own and common spaces clean and safe.

Requirements:
•    Availability for the entire survey;
•    Previous experience in marine mammals research, preferred in boat-based surveys;
•    Easygoing, patient, adaptable and sociable as they are expected to work and live as part of a team and share small spaces with up to 25 people (including researchers, crew and eco-volunteers) for long time.

Other requirement:
•    Proficiency in English, good written and oral communication skills;
•    Previous experience in Earthwatch programmes is preferred but not required;
•    Proficiency in swimming and snorkelling;
•    Basic computer literacy with a working knowledge of PC operating system and proficiency with MS Office. Familiarity with software including Microsoft Access, Pamguard, Distance, ArcGIS/Manifold, Photoshop would be helpful but not required.

Successful interns are required to bring their own laptop computer.

Successful candidates are provided with accommodation in shared double en-suite cabins for the duration of the expedition and are required to contribute to living and research expenses with a total amount of 500€.
Assistants are expected to come to Hurghada on the 6th of June 2012 to attend training sessions. In these days, they will be responsible for their own accommodation and food expenses.
They will also need to arrange their own travel to/from Hurghada. Transport from/to Hurghada and the field site is provided on arrival and departure.

To apply, send a cover letter and updated and relevant CV (including references) to maddalena@hepca.com.

Deadline for applications is March 18, 2012. Potential successful candidates will be contacted for an interview to be held at the end of March/beginning of April 2012.


Maddalena Fumagalli
Marine Biologist
HEPCA - Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association
Hurghada New Marina - Building B2
Hurghada- Red Sea- Egypt
Tel:+2 065 344 50 35/ 065 3447728
maddalena@hepca.com
www.hepca.com