Seeking field assistants for research on tropical dolphins in north-west Australia Dates: April - June 2012. Assistants must be available for the full duration of the field season. Project title: Abundance estimation, residency and genetic connectivity of snubfin and humpback dolphins in the Kimberley region, Western Australia. Institution: Cetacean Research Unit, Murdoch University - www.mucru.org Overview: I am seeking experienced field assistants to assist with boat-based photo-ID and biopsy sampling in north-west Australia over the period April-June 2012. This project, funded by the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, aims to collect baseline data on the local abundance, residency and genetic connectivity of Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This is an opportunity to gain experience in field techniques for small cetacean research, while contributing to a project with a high conservation and management value. Location: Two or three sites between the Dampier Peninsula and Wyndham will be visited over the course of the field season. Accommodation will comprise shared basic cabins or similar with camp kitchen and bathroom facilities. These are remote locations far from urban areas and amenities. Duties: Searching for dolphins, driving the boat, taking photos, making and recording field observations, equipment cleaning and basic maintenance, data entry, a fair share in communal cooking and housekeeping duties, and generally working hard and having a great time. Expect long hours on the water for work multiple days in a row, and up to a week between days off. Prerequisites: Experience of working on and driving, to some extent, a small boat (essential); no history of debilitating seasickness (essential); be team-oriented, have a good sense of humour, patience, and an enthusiastic attitude to hard work, long hours and collecting data on the natural environment (essential); experience of photo-ID survey techniques (highly desirable). Logistics: Departing from the city of Perth in early April, the team (3-4 people) will travel by vehicle to study sites on the north-west coast some 2,500 km away. Approximately 4 weeks will be spent at each field site conducting boat-based surveys whenever weather conditions permit. The team will then return to Perth in mid/late June. An exact end date will be unavailable until nearer the time, so assistants should assume commitment to the project until the end of June. Expenses: This is an unpaid position. However, food and accommodation at field sites are provided at no cost to assistants. Assistants are responsible for their own travel costs to Perth, although travel to/from field sites (by car) is provided. To apply, please send a CV, brief covering letter and contact details of two relevant referees to alex.brown@murdoch.edu.au by Fri 17th Feb 2012. Many thanks, Alex Alex Brown <mailto:alex.brown@murdoch.edu.au> alex.brown@murdoch.edu.au PhD Candidate, Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU) Centre for Fish, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystem Research Faculty of Sustainability, Environmental and Life Sciences Murdoch University, South Street, Perth WA 6150 www.mucru.org <http://www.facebook.com/MUCRU> http://www.facebook.com/MUCRU