The land-based surveys of the east Australian population of humpback whales from Pt Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, constitute one of the longest running series of cetacean surveys in the world. Surveys conducted here since the early 1980s have demonstrated a strong and consistent rate of increase in this population which was almost extirpated in the early 1960s by excessive and illegal Soviet whaling in the Southern Ocean. The Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Lab at the University of Queensland is conducting the next survey starting 6 June this year. Due to one of our observers pulling out for personal reasons, we have a last minute vacancy for an observer from 6 June to 4 July. Preference will be given to applicants who have previous land-based survey experience, particularly those familiar with the use of a theodolite and/or Cyclopes or VADAR whale tracking software, but due to the short notice, we will accept applications from anyone with a keen interest in marine mammal research. Applicants will be required to spend 5 hours per day on survey. There will be days off during bad weather only. Applicants should be prepared to live at Pt Lookout full time for the 4 week period, living in a shared house with other observers, sharing in cooking and cleaning duties. All accommodation and food is provided by the project but observers are responsible for their own travel to and from Pt Lookout. Pt Lookout is in the sub-tropics. Although it is winter, temperatures will be mild with averages of 10-22 C most days. Stradbroke Island is a beautiful place and during time off, observers will be able to enjoy the island including the beaches and excellent surf. For more information or to apply for this observer position, please email Mike Noad mnoad@uq.edu.au<mailto:mnoad@uq.edu.au> and cc Michael Williamson m.williamson@uq.edu.au<mailto:m.williamson@uq.edu.au> and Louise Bennett louisebennettmail@gmail.com<mailto:louisebennettmail@gmail.com> . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Assoc. Prof. Michael Noad Cetacean Ecology & Acosutics Lab. School of Veterinary Science The University of Queensland - Gatton campus Qld 4343 Tel. +61 (0)416 270567 Fax. +61 (0)7 54601922 E. mnoad@uq.edu.au<mailto:mnoad@uq.edu.au> W. www.uq.edu.au/whale<http://www.uq.edu.au/whale> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~