SEEKING EXPERIENCED FIELD ASSISTANTS FOR RESEARCH ON BURRUNAN DOLPHINS
IN SOUTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA.
Positions now available for volunteer field assistants with the
Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation’s (AMMCF) Project
Burrunan; incorporating field surveys, boat-based photo-ID and biopsy
sampling of Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops australis) across coastal
Victoria, south-eastern Australia.
Register your interest in joining AMMCFs volunteer field assistant
pool. The positions are well suited to upper level undergraduates and
graduate students who have some background in Biology, Marine Biology,
Ecology, Zoology or related field.
ABOUT AMMCF
The Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation is a
not-for-profit organisation with a mission to “support and work with
Australia’s marine mammal scientists and researchers to establish and
advance the knowledge, conservation and protection of our marine
mammals”.
For further information please visit ammcf.org.au
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Project Burrunan focuses on using applied research to further
investigate the newly described Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops
australis)(Charlton-Robb et al. 2011). The aims of the project is to
assess the species' distribution and range, gain better estimates of
overall population size, assess the level of gene flow between the
discrete populations and to assess potential migration pathways. This
project will also investigate the presence and habitat use of the
Burrunan across coastal and offshore regions of Victoria.
This project is led by Dr Kate Charlton-Robb.
LOCATION
Single day trips on Port Phillip Bay.
Multiple 5-10 day field trips in the Gippsland Lakes and across coastal
Victoria.
DATES
There will be numerous field trips during 2014.
Fieldwork will be weather dependent and will be conducted on weekdays
and weekends.
DUTIES & EXPECTATIONS
• Assisting with boat-based photo-identification surveys of Burrunan
dolphins.
• Taking photos.
• Driving small research vessel (Victorian boat licence required).
• Recording field observations (dolphin and environmental).
• Data entry.
• Assisting at community awareness presentations.
• Communal cooking and housekeeping duties (on multiple day field
trips).
PREREQUISITES
• Experience of field research on small cetaceans (highly desirable).
• Experience of photo-ID survey techniques (highly desirable).
• Small boat operations experience (highly desirable).
• Victorian Boat Licence (essential).
• Not susceptible to debilitating seasickness (essential).
• Be reliable, adaptable and hard-working (essential).
• Be prepared to work long days (essential).
• Be team-oriented, sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude
(essential).
EXPENSES
This is an unpaid position.
On multiple day field trips, accommodation at field sites will be
provided at no cost to assistants. Volunteers will be expected to
arrange their own travel to the field sites (however in some cases space
may be available in the research vehicle).
A communal ‘kitty’ is generally set up to cover the team’s food
expenses.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant
experience, and contact details of two relevant referees to
k...@ammcf.org.au.
Applications will be considered, if approved you will then be placed on
AMMCFs field assistant list. As this field work is ongoing during 2014,
you will be contacted on a regular basis and informed of field trip
dates.
All the best.
Dr Kate Charlton-Robb
Principal Researcher
Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation
PO Box 2046
Hampton East VIC 3188
e: k...@ammcf.org.au
w: ammcf.org.au
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