*DELFINI DEL PONENTE ASSOCIATION, IMPERIA, ITALY* *Cetaceans and Marine Fauna research project *
*The project* The dolphin research project “Delfini del Ponente”, started in 2018, is the first project focused on monitoring bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) occurrence and distribution in the Western Ligurian Sea. The project is structured on an annual basis, to obtain data not only on the distribution during the Summer, but also changes during the different seasons. The study is already providing very interesting information about this community inside the study area, especially about its social organisation, abundance of individuals, distribution, and movements also outside the region. Moreover, our dataset includes data on several cetaceans species and also about other marine fauna such as Mediterranean shearwaters (*Puffinus yelkouan)*, Scopoli’s shearwaters (*Calonectris diomedea*), Northern gannets (*Morus bassanus*), Sandwich terns (*Thalasseus sandvicensis*), sunfish (*Mola mola*) among others. Surveys are carried out in coastal waters onboard a dedicated zodiac (6 m inflatable boat) around 10 times per month. Training will focus on collecting photo for photo-ID purposes, environmental, marine traffic, geographical (GPS) and dolphins' behavioural data. Land-based surveys take place in Imperia, in 2 different locations with the aim of collecting data on the presence/absence of dolphins, fishing boats in activity and marine birds. Fieldwork is a great opportunity to get involved and improve skills on cetaceans’ and marine biodiversity’s research. Both land-based and zodiac surveys are weather dependent, and their number can change each month. Office work (6 hours per day) includes training and lessons to the interns and supervision of all the activities (photo-id work, transcription of data, data entry, QGIS work, etc...) *WHERE:* Imperia, Italy *WHEN:* 1 March-30 October 2021 (minimum 4 months) *Preference will be given to candidates that can guarantee a minimum of 4 months or a longer period. The intern coordinator will be asked to join the research team one week earlier than the actual start of the programme,* to gain all the necessary skills and information needed. The intern coordinator will be responsible for: ● Assisting the researchers during all the research activities ● Coordinating the interns and volunteers participating in the project with the help of the Project Coordinators ● Be responsible for the cleaning schedule and maintenance of the shared apartment with the volunteers ● Assist with the training of the interns both during office work and fieldwork ● Carry on land-based surveys ● Driving the zodiac and photo-id collection ● Responsible for an own project with the data collected *Skills/qualification:* ● Minimum age of 18 ● Degree or on-going studies in Biology, Natural Sciences, Veterinary or similar (preferred) with strong motivation to work in marine mammals’ research ● Speak, read and write in fluent English ● Be adaptable and flexible as fieldwork is weather dependent ● Have prior experience in cetaceans or boat-based surveys ● Be prepared to spend many hours on a small zodiac (5-6 m) and under the sun, be able to swim and work in harsh weather conditions both in nearshore and offshore waters ● Be prepared to spend many hours in the office (generally 6 hours/day) ● Be sociable and with a positive attitude as he/she is expected to live and work in an international team ● Boat driving licence or experience in handling small boats (preferred) ● The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team player as the project will involve working closely with other participants but also must be able to supervise small groups of interns. He/she must also be self-motivated and eager to work independently and responsibly. *Other Information* *This position is unpaid, but accommodation is provided*. The successful applicant will be responsible for organising and paying for his/her own travel arrangements to and from Imperia. Website: http://delfinidelponente.costabalenae.it/ *How to apply: * Send your CV and a cover letter, specifying your period of availability, to delfinidelpone...@gmail.com *no longer than the 12th of December. * Successful applicants could be contacted for a skype interview in December-January. For any further enquiry and detail, please send an email to delfinidelpone...@gmail.com Elena Fontanesi and Davide Ascheri *Delfini Del Ponente APS* Via Regione Bussi, 18100 Imperia (Italy) http://delfinidelponente.costabalenae.it/
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