Sea Watch Foundation – 2015

ONE VOLUNTEER Research Assistant and Intern Coordinator Opportunity for
Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, New Quay, Wales 

 

Field season: 6th of April 2015 - 18th of October 2015 

Application deadline: 10th of January 2015

 

On behalf Sea Watch Foundation (SWF) staff (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk
<http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/> ), I am pleased to announce that we
are currently accepting applications for our Research Assistant 2015
position. SWF is a registered marine environmental research charity which
mission is to achieve a better understanding and conservation of the marine
mammal populations in the seas around Britain and Ireland. Led by Director
Prof. Evans since 1991, the Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project,
provides invaluable scientific information about the natural history,
distribution, habitats and short and long term conservation threats of
marine mammal populations (bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey
seal), through continuous research and education. SWF Director, received the
European Cetacean Society Award for his research in 2012 and SWF was the
recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS “Outreach and Education Award” in 2009. Our
work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature
Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund. We work closely with
the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council, and have the
support numerous volunteers in the office and in the field. 

 

The Research Assistant is responsible for assisting the Monitoring Officer
in the running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” and coordinating the
project interns.  The project offers the participants the opportunity to
learn and practice techniques used in scientific data collection and the
study of marine mammal populations (e.g. land observations, boat-based
surveys, photo-identification, line-transects, theodolite, cybertracker and
acoustic monitoring).  

 

The Research Assistant can expect to gain a solid foundation in collecting
marine mammal scientific data to be used by themselves and/or our staff in
peer reviewed publications. SWF staff are committed to the Research
Assistant gaining scientific knowledge through training and in situ
experience. We highly support the continuation of the Research Assistant in
higher education or a future job in the field of marine mammal research.

  

Daily responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

·          Coordinate between the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer and
the project interns

·          Organising the interns’ weekly schedules as well as the rotations
for dedicated surveys

·          Supervising the interns in the laboratory and interns house

·          Dealing with IT staff to set up the computers in the laboratory

·          Maintenance and validation of all databases (vessel and
land-based watches, effort, photo-ID, acoustics)

·          Assisting the Monitoring Officer in training the interns in the
use of field equipment such as: theodolite, digiscope, GPS, hydrophone,
Cybertracker, and cameras

·          Assisting the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer in basic
training of land- and boat based surveys, data entry and more

·          Assisting the Monitoring Officer in the matching and cataloguing
of bottlenose dolphins and maintenance of the photo-ID database

Requirements:

·         Minimum BSc degree or higher in Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology,
Environmental Science or similar 

·         Previous experience in marine mammal research and a strong
interest and knowledge of British cetaceans and boating experience are
desirable

·         The applicant must be proficient with database and word processing
software and be willing to learn new software applications. Specific
experience in Access and/or GIS would be advantageous

·         The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a
team player as the project will involve working closely with other
researchers but also must be able to supervise small groups of people as
they will be coordinating at least 6 interns per period

·         Self-motivated with the drive and determination to work
responsibly and independently 

 

This position is unpaid but accommodation expenses through the whole period
will be covered at the intern’s house. The Research Assistant will be
responsible for their own travel expenses, visa requirements and living
expenses. Due to the touristic back-ground of New Quay, part-time paid work
is generally easy to find if required by the applicant. The Research
Assistant will have one day of every weekend free and a week vacation
between the end of the second research interns period (12/07/2015) and
beginning of the third one (13/07/2015). Dates for this week could be
previously agreed if inconvenient for the Research Assistant. 

 

 

To apply:

 

-Download the Research Assistant application form from our web page
http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/internships/

-Send your application together with a cover letter and CV to Dr.
Dussán-Duque- salome.dussan-du...@seawatchfoundation.org.uk

 

Please specify NEW QUAY RESEARCH ASSISTANT APPLICATION 2015 in your subject
title.

 

ONLY successful applicants will be contacted to arrange a Skype interview by
the end January 2015. The interviews will be conducted between the second
and the sixth of February 2015.

 

 

Dr Salomé Dussán-Duque

Marine Mammal Ecologist

Monitoring Officer

Sea Watch Foundation

Cardigan Bay, Wales

UK

 

 

 

 

Kathy James

Sightings Officer

 

Sea Watch Foundation

Paragon House

Wellington Place

New Quay

Ceredigion

SA45 9NR

 

Tel: 01545 561227

www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

 

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