SEEKING RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
PROJECT: Enhancing the
ecological basis for the conservation and management of Australian snubfin and Indo-Pacific
humpback dolphins.
I am seeking three skilled research
assistants for the 2006 field season to assist me in collecting behavioural and
genetic data on Australian Snubfin and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins off the
northeast coast of Queensland, Australia.
The field season for 2006 will last approximately 12 weeks from mid August thru
the end of November. Our fieldwork will be based in the city of Townsville, northeast Queensland. Because of the training
required, applicants must be willing to commit to the project for a minimum of
4 weeks. Applicants willing to participate the whole 12 weeks will be given
preference.
BACK GROUND: Knowledge
about the ecology and anthropogenic threats to Australia's coastal dolphins is
scant, particularly for rare tropical species such as the snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and the Indo-Pacific
humpback (Sousa chinensis)
dolphins. Recent research carried out by GJP in Cleveland Bay, northeast
Queensland, indicates that Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins occur in
small, localised populations close to coastal and estuarine environments. This
information suggests that populations of both species are vulnerable to
anthropogenic mortality and potentially rapid population declines. This study
aims to improve the basis for the conservation and management of snubfin and
humpback dolphins by: 1) developing spatial models of habitat suitability, 2)
identifying areas of potential conflict with anthropogenic activities, and 3)
assessing the level of genetic structure among populations of snubfin and
humpback dolphins in Queensland
waters.
FIELD WORK: All observations
and data collection will be conducted from a 5m rigid inflatable or aluminium
boat. In addition we will be conducting one long-range survey (up to 20 days in
length) onboard a 10m powerboat with a flybridge. Assistants should be prepared
to work long hours (06:00 to 16:00 hours depending on weather conditions).and
be expected to participate in the following duties: photo-identification,
video, behavioural, distance sampling and biopsy data collection, fin matching,
and database maintenance. Aboard the research boat assistants will be required
to assist in boat piloting and handling, and participate in all regular duties
related to the maintenance of the boat and research equipment. Field work is
demanding but you will have a great opportunity to observe two of Australia’s
rarest coastal dolphins and also gain hands-on experience in relation to survey
techniques, behavioural observations, and genetic sampling of marine mammals.
Such experience will prove valuable to anyone hoping to pursue a career in
marine wildlife ecology, behaviour, and management.
APPLICANTS SHOULD:
- Be enthusiastic, hard-working, team oriented,
have a positive attitude and a genuine interest in marine mammal ecology
and behaviour.
- Be adaptable, flexible and patient as fieldwork
is highly weather dependent This means:1) sometimes we will be stuck
onshore for long periods of time, 2) sometimes we will have long
consecutive fieldwork days, and 3) fieldwork during weekend days may be
required.
- Be prepared to rise early in the morning and
work long hours in a small boat.
- Be able to commit for a minimum of 4 weeks
(though applicants willing to commit for the whole 12 week period will be
preferred)
- Have a background in biology, marine science,
animal behaviour or a related field
- Previous field experience and boat handling
skills would be advantageous but is not a prerequisite.
Unfortunately I am unable to provide salary or housing and
research assistants will be responsible for travel to Townsville and their own
living expenses. Food and living space will be provided during long-range
surveys and fieldtrips outside of the Townsville area. If you are interested,
please provide a short CV with references and a letter explaining your interest
in the project and career goals to Guido J. Parra ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guido J. Parra, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
School of Veterinary Science
University of Queensland
St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Ph: (07) 3365-3066 Mob: 0437630843
Fax: (07) 3365-1255 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Webpage: http://www.uq.edu.au/vetschool/index.html?page=47564&pid=47559
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
