Sea Watch Foundation – 2015 ONE VOLUNTEER Research Assistant and Intern Coordinator Opportunity for Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, New Quay, Wales Field season: 6th of April 2015 - 18th of October 2015 Application deadline: 10th of January 2015 On behalf Sea Watch Foundation (SWF) staff (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/> ), I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting applications for our Research Assistant 2015 position. SWF is a registered marine environmental research charity which mission is to achieve a better understanding and conservation of the marine mammal populations in the seas around Britain and Ireland. Led by Director Prof. Evans since 1991, the Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, provides invaluable scientific information about the natural history, distribution, habitats and short and long term conservation threats of marine mammal populations (bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal), through continuous research and education. SWF Director, received the European Cetacean Society Award for his research in 2012 and SWF was the recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS “Outreach and Education Award” in 2009. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund. We work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council, and have the support numerous volunteers in the office and in the field. The Research Assistant is responsible for assisting the Monitoring Officer in the running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” and coordinating the project interns. The project offers the participants the opportunity to learn and practice techniques used in scientific data collection and the study of marine mammal populations (e.g. land observations, boat-based surveys, photo-identification, line-transects, theodolite, cybertracker and acoustic monitoring). The Research Assistant can expect to gain a solid foundation in collecting marine mammal scientific data to be used by themselves and/or our staff in peer reviewed publications. SWF staff are committed to the Research Assistant gaining scientific knowledge through training and in situ experience. We highly support the continuation of the Research Assistant in higher education or a future job in the field of marine mammal research. Daily responsibilities will include but are not limited to: · Coordinate between the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer and the project interns · Organising the interns’ weekly schedules as well as the rotations for dedicated surveys · Supervising the interns in the laboratory and interns house · Dealing with IT staff to set up the computers in the laboratory · Maintenance and validation of all databases (vessel and land-based watches, effort, photo-ID, acoustics) · Assisting the Monitoring Officer in training the interns in the use of field equipment such as: theodolite, digiscope, GPS, hydrophone, Cybertracker, and cameras · Assisting the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer in basic training of land- and boat based surveys, data entry and more · Assisting the Monitoring Officer in the matching and cataloguing of bottlenose dolphins and maintenance of the photo-ID database Requirements: · Minimum BSc degree or higher in Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science or similar · Previous experience in marine mammal research and a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans and boating experience are desirable · The applicant must be proficient with database and word processing software and be willing to learn new software applications. Specific experience in Access and/or GIS would be advantageous · The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team player as the project will involve working closely with other researchers but also must be able to supervise small groups of people as they will be coordinating at least 6 interns per period · Self-motivated with the drive and determination to work responsibly and independently This position is unpaid but accommodation expenses through the whole period will be covered at the intern’s house. The Research Assistant will be responsible for their own travel expenses, visa requirements and living expenses. Due to the touristic back-ground of New Quay, part-time paid work is generally easy to find if required by the applicant. The Research Assistant will have one day of every weekend free and a week vacation between the end of the second research interns period (12/07/2015) and beginning of the third one (13/07/2015). Dates for this week could be previously agreed if inconvenient for the Research Assistant. To apply: -Download the Research Assistant application form from our web page http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/internships/ -Send your application together with a cover letter and CV to Dr. Dussán-Duque- salome.dussan-duque@seawatchfoundation.org.uk Please specify NEW QUAY RESEARCH ASSISTANT APPLICATION 2015 in your subject title. ONLY successful applicants will be contacted to arrange a Skype interview by the end January 2015. The interviews will be conducted between the second and the sixth of February 2015. Dr Salomé Dussán-Duque Marine Mammal Ecologist Monitoring Officer Sea Watch Foundation Cardigan Bay, Wales UK Kathy James Sightings Officer Sea Watch Foundation Paragon House Wellington Place New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9NR Tel: 01545 561227 www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk