Seeking field assistants for research on tropical
dolphins in north-west Australia
Dates: April
– June 2012. Assistants must be available for
the full duration of the field season.
Project
title: Abundance estimation, residency and
genetic connectivity of snubfin and humpback dolphins in the Kimberley region,
Western Australia.
Institution:
Cetacean Research Unit, Murdoch University
- www.mucru.org
Overview:
I am seeking experienced field assistants
to assist with boat-based photo-ID and biopsy sampling in north-west Australia
over the period April-June 2012. This project, funded by the Australian Marine
Mammal Centre, aims to collect baseline data on the local abundance, residency
and genetic connectivity of Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the Kimberley region
of Western Australia. This is an opportunity to gain experience in field
techniques for small cetacean research, while contributing to a project with a
high conservation and management value.
Location:
Two or three sites between the Dampier
Peninsula and Wyndham will be visited over the course of the field season.
Accommodation will comprise shared basic cabins or similar with camp kitchen
and bathroom facilities. These are remote locations far from urban areas and
amenities.
Duties:
Searching for dolphins, driving the boat,
taking photos, making and recording field observations, equipment cleaning and
basic maintenance, data entry, a fair share in communal cooking and
housekeeping duties, and generally working hard and having a great time. Expect
long hours on the water for work multiple days in a row, and up to a week
between days off.
Prerequisites:
Experience of working on and driving, to
some extent, a small boat (essential); no history of debilitating seasickness
(essential); be team-oriented, have a good sense of humour, patience, and an
enthusiastic attitude to hard work, long hours and collecting data on the
natural environment (essential); experience of photo-ID survey techniques
(highly desirable).
Logistics:
Departing from the city of Perth in early April,
the team (3-4 people) will travel by vehicle to study sites on the north-west
coast some 2,500 km away. Approximately 4 weeks will be spent at each field
site conducting boat-based surveys whenever weather conditions permit. The team
will then return to Perth in mid/late June. An exact end date will be
unavailable until nearer the time, so assistants should assume commitment to
the project until the end of June.
Expenses:
This is an unpaid position. However, food and
accommodation at field sites are provided at no cost to assistants. Assistants
are responsible for their own travel costs to Perth, although travel to/from
field sites (by car) is provided.
To
apply, please send a CV, brief covering letter and contact details of two
relevant referees to alex.brown@murdoch.edu.au by Fri 17th
Feb 2012.
Many
thanks,
Alex
Alex Brown alex.brown@murdoch.edu.au
PhD Candidate, Murdoch University Cetacean
Research Unit (MUCRU)
Centre for
Fish, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystem Research
Faculty of
Sustainability, Environmental and Life Sciences
Murdoch
University, South Street, Perth WA 6150