SEEKING FIELD ASSISTANTS for research on dolphins in Perth metropolitan waters, Western Australia
The Coastal and Estuarine Dolphin Project (CEDP) is a long-term project aiming to assess the ecology and biology of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Perth metropolitan waters and led by Dr Delphine Chabanne. Distribution, key habitat
uses and diet of dolphins are some of the questions we are currently addressing in addition to monitoring the resident dolphins for injuries and demography trends. Based at the Harry Butler Institute (Murdoch University), we are offering volunteering and internship
positions. Those positions are opportunities for graduates that wish to gain experience in field techniques for small cetacean research and for undergraduates that would like to obtain internship academic credits.
Location: Fremantle/Perth, Western Australia
Dates: Opportunities are available starting from early January 2023 until December 2023 with the fieldwork component running seasonally (January-February; April-May; July-August; October-November). Preferences will be given to anyone
who can assist for the duration of at least one season (minimum of two months), although please do not hesitate to contact me to further discuss the duration of your stay.
Fieldwork and responsibilities
1 - Assist during boat-based surveys: searching for dolphins, driving the boat, taking photos for photo identification, collecting dolphin sightings and behaviour data, as well as environmental and anthropogenic data
Days are weather-dependent (weekdays or weekends).
Start time may vary, with the expectation for very early starts during the summer season (January-February).
During Summer and Winter, biopsy sampling is also done and will require more days.
2 - Data entry and photo-processing: cataloguing and matching individuals
Other potential opportunities (depending on the period of the year):
3 - Assist with laboratory work: prepare dolphin and fish samples for stable isotopes analyses
There are opportunities for small projects to be developed for anyone wishing to complete an internship.
What to expect:
Field assistants need to be available for boat days, including weekends, and be prepared for early morning departures (6AM), and long days (8-10 hours) on the water in warm or cold weather (depending on the season) for multiple consecutive
days. Field assistants also need to be available to help with the collected data. Fieldwork is weather dependent. If the weather is unsuitable, we will not conduct surveys. It could take several days before another opportunity for fieldwork to occur (good
weather). There are plenty of activities and places to visit in Perth and surrounding areas for you to fill your downtime (e.g., Rottnest Island, King Parks, Museums, snorkelling, surfing).
Preferred, but not mandatory:
- Undergraduate degree in the biological sciences
- Field research/small boat operation experience preferred but not required.
Unfortunately, I am unable to provide monetary compensation, accommodation or living provisions. Field assistants will be responsible for their own travel and living expenses.
If you are interested, email me your CV (max. 3 pages) to
delphine.chabanne@murdoch.edu.au.
Please include a short motivation letter, the period during which you would like to participate, whether you are applying for an internship (undergraduate requirement) and one thing that you would like to learn during your stay. If interested
to assist from January 2023, please contact me as soon as possible.
All the best,
Delphine
Delphine Chabanne PhD
Research Fellow, Centre
for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
Harry Butler Institute
M +61 447 134 824
90 South St, Murdoch, WA 6150
@DChabanne |ORCID iD:
0000-0002-8391-7505
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Recent papers:
Evidence of male alliance formation in a small dolphin community. 2022.
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rates of Carpathian lynx on the western edge of its native range. 2021.
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10.1038/s41598-021-88348-8
Inconsistency between socio-spatial and genetic structure in a coastal dolphin population. 2021.
Frontiers in Marine Science 7:617540. Doi:
10.3389/fmars.2020.617540