2026 Research Assistant Opportunity - Shark Bay Dolphin Research Project The Shark Bay Dolphin Research Project (SBDRP) is seeking dedicated research assistants for the upcoming field season. The field season will run from approximately mid-August to mid-December (roughly December 10 to allow for travel home before the holidays). The SBDRP is a long-term research project run in collaboration between Georgetown University, Texas A&M University at Galveston, and the University of Queensland. The SBDRP has been collecting behavioral, life-history, ecological, and genetic data on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia since the mid-1980s. This field season will focus on graduate research collecting drone data and continuing routine long-term population monitoring efforts on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Field work is demanding and requires long hours both on and off the water, but the dolphin research is both fun and rewarding. Those interested in a STEM career, especially in behavioral ecology, marine mammalogy, marine science or evolutionary biology are encouraged to apply. It may be helpful to review our website and publications (monkeymiadolphins.org <http://monkeymiadolphins.org/>) to get a feel for our lab's work. Timeframe: ~4 months Field site: Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Monkey Mia is approximately 850 km north of Perth and is part of the largest World Heritage site in Western Australia. Our field site is beautiful, and is home to diverse wildlife such as sharks, rays, turtles, dugongs, whales, and of course, resident bottlenose dolphins. Monkey Mia is remote, but we do have amenities including electricity and running water, reliable cell phone service, and limited internet. Housing will be provided, and the research team will share cooking responsibilities in a communal kitchen and other domestic chores. Job responsibilities: Research assistants will help collect extensive behavioral data from the boat, including surveys and focal follows on individual dolphins. Boat work is dependent on weather, but even on windy days we need to be ready to pack up and quickly get out on the water if the wind drops. Days on the water can be consecutive, long, and tiring in variable environmental conditions. Days on land require extensive, and tedious, data entry and processing. Most of your time will be spent: - Searching for and spotting dolphins - Driving the boat - Scribing data during surveys and focal follows - Entering dolphin sightings and environmental data into the computer - Doing basic maintenance, equipment prep and cleaning Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be a graduating senior with a science background and a genuine interest in marine mammal science and behavior. This position is well suited for students of marine biology, animal behavior, zoology, ecology, genetics, or similar fields looking to gain additional analytical and field experience. Applicants must be able to work closely with a small team (3-6 people). We not only work together, but also live, cook, and eat together, so maturity, sense of humor, a positive attitude and a collaborative nature are critical. The candidate must: - Possess basic computer skills - Be detail oriented, flexible, level-headed, and patient - Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills - Work well both independently and in a team - Be comfortable on a boat and working in a remote location - Be prepared to work long, consecutive days, including weekends - Fieldwork experience, or experience working on boats or with drones, is desirable but not required. The most essential qualifications are that you are flexible, conscientious, and hard-working, and are excited about the research. Salary: Research assistants will receive a modest stipend. All travel and living expenses (flights, visas, housing, and food) will also be covered. Eligibility: - This position is not restricted to U.S. citizens. - This position is open to all applicants completing their bachelor's degree in 2026 before the start of the field season. - Applicants who have completed, are currently enrolled or will begin a graduate program (M.S. or Ph.D.) by August 1st 2026 are not eligible for this position. - Applicants must be fluent in English. - Due to the nature of the work, all participants must be in good physical health and able to lift 20 kg (50 lbs). Application: https://forms.gle/kBuk9CetgCNoUSjs5 The Google Form will be open from March 27 to April 10, 2026. The application will close at 11:59 pm EST on April 10th. No late submissions will be considered. All applicants will receive notification of our decision no later than May 30th. Any questions can be directed to field season lead, Diana Alvarado (dca51@georgetown.edu <mailto:dca51@georgetown.edu>). -- Diana C. Alvarado (she/her) PhD Student, Department of Biology Georgetown University