Dear Marmamers, Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU), Perth, Australia, is looking for a volunteer to assist land based Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) research on Southern right whales at the Head of the Bight, South Australia, between the 21st of June and the 30th of September 2018. The person will have to be available for the entire period. The research project aims to investigate Southern right whale body condition on their South Australian breeding/nursing grounds, as part of larger research project looking into baleen whale health (http:/mucru.org/our-research/research-projects/southern-right-whale-body-condition-on-breeding-grounds/<http://mucru.org/our-research/research-projects/southern-right-whale-body-condition-on-breeding-grounds/>). To measure body condition, aerial photographs of the whales will be collected using an UAV operated from the cliffs overlooking the Great Australian Bight. The UAV will be operated by the chief scientist due to strict regulations in Australia. Research assistant duties include cliff based searches for right whales, observation of right whale behavioural responses during UAV approaches, and looking for raptor birds that could intervene with UAV operations. When not in the field the research assistant will also be expected to help out with data entry, processing and measurements of body morphometrics from UAV photographs. This is an unpaid position and the successful candidate will have to cover the costs of arranging transport to get to and from Perth, Western Australia. Once here you will join the researcher and drive to the field site (~18h of driving) at the beginning of the project and then return at the end. The person will also have to provide their own travel insurance. Accommodation will be provided in the form of a shared caravan that will also function as an office. The caravan site is at the Nullarbor Road House, which has paid showers, toilets, a small kiosk and restaurant. General food expenses (cooking in the caravan) will be covered by the project. The Head of the Bight study area is very remote and isolated place (arid conditions) with very limited resources and communication (limited phone and internet connection is available, but do not expect to stream/download larger files or skype). During the austral winter, bad weather is expected and will prevent UAV operations on at least 50% of the days, so be prepared to stay indoors for extended periods of time. Due to the restricted living conditions it is essential that the candidate is able to live and work closely with the other researchers, is tolerant and respectful towards others and had a positive attitude. Strong work ethic and the ability to endure extended periods of office based work during periods of bad weather condition are essential. People with previous experience living in remote places for extended periods of time will be given priority. The person will be required to bring their own laptop computer (ideally Windows based PC not Apple Mac). Potential applicants must be fluent in English and have valid work visas to work in Australia. Please apply by sending your CV (3 pages maximum) and cover letter (1 page) with the names and contact details of at least three professional references to shane.dickeson@my.jcu.edu.au<mailto:shane.dickeson@my.jcu.edu.au> Kind regards, Shane Shane Dickeson Bachelor Science (Honours) Student Cetacean Research Unit, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia +61 430 276 793, shane.dickeson@my.jcu.edu.au