Hi All,
Apologies for cross-posting, please see below:
*HONOURS OPPORTUNITY with the **AUSTRALIAN MARINE MAMMAL CONSERVATION
FOUNDATION (AMMCF) and DEAKIN UNIVERSITY for **/PROJECT BURRUNAN/*
_/Australian citizen applicants only/_*_. _*
**
The Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation (AMMCF), in
affiliation with Deakin University, is currently seeking applications
from highly qualified candidates for a BSc Honours project
(research-based) investigating the spatial ecology of the Burrunan
dolphin (/Tursiops australis/) in Victoria, Australia.
This project is a part of AMMCFs larger research program /Project
Burrunan/ led by Dr Kate Charlton-Robb andwill be offered in affiliation
with Deakin University, co-supervised by Associate Professor John Arnould.
*Background & Project overview*
A new species of dolphin, the Burrunan dolphin (/Tursiops australis/),
endemic to southern Australia, has recently been described
(Charlton-Robb et al. 2011). /Tursiops australis/ are currently known to
inhabit inshore regions of Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
Recent research shows the species consist of small genetically distinct
populations susceptible to numerous threats and is likely to be of grave
conservation concern (Charlton-Robb et al. 2014). /Tursiops australis/
has also recently been listed under the Victorian State Flora and Fauna
Guarantee Act as ‘threatened’. Gippsland Lakes is one of only two places
in Victoria that /T. australis /has an established a resident
population, as such greater scientific knowledge underpinning the
correct management and conservation is crucial.
The Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation (AMMCF), a newly
established not-for-profit organisation, has it's primary mission to
“strive 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.”
AMMCFs /Project Burrunan/ focuses on using applied research to further
investigate the Burrunan dolphin. The general aims of the project is to
assess the species' distribution and range, gain better estimates of
overall population size & structure, 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 to
identify regions of significance to the dolphin.
We are seeking applications from highly motivated, dedicated, high
achieving students for the following Project;
*Spatial ecology of Burrunan dolphins in the Gippsland Lakes*using
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Mapping environmental, spatial and
dolphin sighting data to identify areas of significance within the Lakes
and Gippsland coastal region.
Project One will be offered as a Trimester One January 2015 start.
**
*Requirements*
·Bachelor of Science degree, with a minimum of Distinction average.
·Experience in collecting and processing ecological data.
·Proficiency in Microsoft and statistical packages.
·Experience with GIS software.
·Experience in marine mammal research.
*Application Process*
Please send your applicant containing the following:
1.A covering letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in
the project.
2.Curriculum Vitae
3.Current academic transcript
4.Two relevant referees who are familiar with your academic, research
and ethical record.
Please forward the above to Dr Kate [email protected].
Applications will be considered and we will contact you with further
information.
/Australian citizen applicants only. Unfortunately given the timing
restrictions of the Honours course we are only able to offer the project
to Australian citizens./
*CLOSING DATE: 1^st November 2014*
--
Dr Kate-Charlton-Robb
Principal Researcher
Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation
PO Box 2046
Hampton East VIC 3188
e: [email protected]
w: ammcf.org.au
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