INDO-PACIFIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN RESEARCH ASSISTANT / INTERNSHIP POSITION IN PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Positions are open for volunteers to assist with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin research in Perth, Western Australia. PROJECT BACKGROUND: Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops aduncus*) have been found to inhabit the Swan-Canning Estuary and adjacent waters of Perth, Western Australia. Estuarine ecosystems experience substantial environmental change, geographical isolation and adjacent urban population growth that influence various aspects of the socioecology of dolphins. The aim of this project is to investigate the abundance, distribution, behaviour and social structure of Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins in the metropolitan waters of Perth, Western Australia. This will assist in assessing the conservation status of dolphin communities, the biological significance of human impacts, and the effectiveness of different management options. DATES: Commencing September/October 2011 (minimum three months commitment, full-time). LOCATION: Perth, Western Australia FIELDWORK: Boat-based photo-identification surveys will be conducted in the Swan-Canning Estuary and three offshore areas. Assistants will help collect information on bottlenose dolphin abundance, distribution and behaviour during field surveys and analysis of common dolphin fin photo identification. The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in conducting marine mammal field research, identifying individual bottlenose dolphins based on dorsal fin characteristics. Field work can be physically but it is an opportunity to gain experience and improve your skills in relation to visual cetacean survey techniques, photo-identification, behavioural observations, data entry and fin-matching. RESEARCH ASSISTANT DUTIES: - Photo-identification of dolphins in the lab, including photo sorting, grading, and matching, sighting data entry - Assisting with boat-based photo-identification surveys of bottlenose dolphins, including operating small vessel during surveys, collecting environmental, location, and behavioural data for dolphin groups PREREQUISITES: . Be reliable, adaptable, hardworking and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. . Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude and mature attitude towards marine mammal research Due to the training required, applicants should be available for a minimum of 3 months. Applicants with biology, marine science or animal behaviour background and/or small boat operation experience are preferred but not required. The placements commence in September/October 2011. Assistants need to be available full-time including weekends and be prepared to work long hours with early starts. Applications are also open for next year (from January to December 2012). There is unfortunately no monetary compensation or living provisions. The successful candidate will be responsible for travel costs and visa, accommodation and living expenses. APPLICATION PROCESS: If you are interested, please provide a short email to d.chaba...@murdoch.edu.au. The email should include a cover letter and a short CV. Regards, Delphine* * **
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