Subject: Volunteer Request - Hector’s dolphin research, Banks Peninsula NZ A position is now open for a volunteer to assist in Hector’s dolphin habitat surveys at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. I am conducting my PhD studies on the habitat selection of Hector’s dolphins, involving boat-based dolphin surveys up to four nautical miles from shore with concurrent prey and oceanographic sampling. As a volunteer you will live and work in a beautiful coastal area. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in visual and acoustic marine mammal surveying, photo-identification, habitat sampling and general data collection and practical skills obtained from participating in marine fieldwork. Based from a small research vessel (6m), this research is carried out whenever weather conditions allow. Daily trips are up to 12 hours long, but we are typically on the water for up to 8 hours a day, with at least one day off per week due to unfavourable weather conditions. Volunteers must be available full-time including weekends, and must be comfortable on a small vessel in moderate sea states (up to Beaufort 4 with 2m swell). The next two field season will take place between October 1st and December 9th 2010 (10 weeks), and January 3rd to February 28th 2011 (8 weeks). Priority will be given to those willing to assist for at least four weeks due to the training involved, but all applicants will be considered. This is a volunteer position, but accommodation, including bed/bedding, laundry and cooking facilities, will be provided. Volunteers will need to arrange their own travel to Christchurch, but travel between the city and the field site will be provided on arrival and departure. Volunteers will be required to pay for their own food, contribute to the cost of power/phone/internet (20 NZD per week) and pay for any personal phone calls. As we will be working and living in close quarters in a rural setting, volunteers must be sociable, hardworking team players. Cooking and cleaning duties will be shared. Preferred skills and qualities include: - BSc or studying at senior undergraduate level in biology (or similar field) - Interest in ecology and marine science - A full driving license (manual transmission) - Boat driving and trailer backing skills - Marine mammal survey experience Please send a letter of interest, a CV and e-mail contacts for two referees to elanorjh@gmail.com Kind regards, Elanor Hutchison -- PhD Candidate Marine Science Department Otago University Dunedin, New Zealand