The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP) is a collaborative partnership dedicated to dolphin research, conservation, and education. The SDRP was started in 1970 through Mote Marine Laboratory when Blair Irvine and high school student Randy Wells began a tagging study to find out if dolphins in the Sarasota Bay area were residents or moved more broadly – it was the first systematic study of bottlenose dolphin ranging patterns.  Findings of multi-decadal, multi-generational residency set the stage for the program to continue and develop into new areas of research.  Since 1989, the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) has led the SDRP partnership, providing an administrative home for the long-term program and support for ongoing program operations, including the CZS employees who form the core program staff. Mote Marine Laboratory, where our initial research was conducted during 1970-1971, has provided a base of operations on Sarasota Bay and access to laboratory facilities and infrastructure since 1992.  The Program Director since the late 1970’s, Dr. Randall Wells, guided the SDRP from a seasonal operation involving teams of volunteers to its current year-round operations with a complement of full and part time staff, who work with graduate students, interns, and volunteers.  The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, conducting “the world’s longest-running study of a wild dolphin population”, now is a pre-eminent international center for research into the biology, behavior, ecology, health, and impacts of human activities on dolphins in Sarasota Bay and elsewhere around the world.  http://sarasotadolphin.org

The Research Assistant – Data Analyst assists the Senior Conservation Scientist with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), primarily with analysis of dolphin identification photographs in support of the Society's mission and conservation science innovation and leadership.  The Research Assistant will perform analysis of digital photographs of dolphin dorsal fins for identification of individual dolphins by comparing the digitally stored images from field work performed by research staff; matching fins to those in the digital master fin catalog using the ACDSee program.   This includes an accurate and expeditious analytical processing of dorsal fin photographs that is crucial for further use of the data by staff and collaborators and incorporation into long-term databases as well as updates to data archives; preparing reports and manuscripts as requested.   The Research Assistant will compile and maintain the Gulf of Mexico Dolphin Identification System (GoMDIS) Gulf-wide bottlenose dolphin photographic identification catalog, including obtaining, processing, and archiving data and images provided on an ongoing basis from more than 20 collaborating scientists from around the Gulf of Mexico.  Additionally, responsibilities include managing collaboration work with NOAA and Duke/OBIS SEAMAP programming staff, and SDRP staff including the Lab Manager; and, under the guidance of the ID Cataloguer maintaining and upgrading the FinBase Access-based databases and web interface for managing dolphin identification images and associated data.  You will also assist with dolphin health assessments and rescues as necessary.
 

The requirements for the position include the following: 

·         Minimum B.A./B.S. in Biology, Marine Sciences or a related field or equivalent combination of related training and/or experience required.

·         Minimum three (3) years experience in marine mammal individual identification from photographs required.   

·         Basic computer skills required, with data entry experience in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Access.

·         Demonstrated ability to work independently and to prioritize tasks as necessary required.

·         Must be able to work independently as well as in a team.

·         This position will involve work performed away from Brookfield Zoo, in Sarasota, Florida. 

·         Typical average weekly work schedule is approximately 40 hours.

·         Valid driver’s license required. Must possess a valid Florida license within 30 days of hire. Valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents. 

The desirable/preferred qualifications include the following:

·         Experience in data collection and coordination of data collection by collaborating scientists.

·         Experience with ACDSee strongly preferred.

·         Knowledge of photography.

·         Minimum of 1 year of FinBase software experience.

·         Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Women / Veterans / Disabled.

If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the CZS Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile.  Please visit our website at www.czs.org/careers.  Please look for requisition number 634BR.

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Jason Allen
Lab Manager
Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program

c/o Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34236

Tel: 941.388.4441 ext. 452
Fax: 941.388.4223