*Background:* The Shark Bay Dolphin Research Project (SBDRP) is seeking several dedicated research assistants for the upcoming field season (August 1st to mid-December 2023, roughly December 10th to allow for travel home before the holidays).
The SBDRP is a long-term research project run in collaboration between Georgetown University, Texas A&M University at Galveston, and the University of Queensland. The SBDRP has been collecting behavioral, life-history, ecological, and genetic data on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia since the mid-1980s. This field season will focus on continuing our research on maternal investment and social learning, in addition to our routine long-term population monitoring efforts. For more information, please look through our website and publications (monkeymiadolphins.org). Field work is demanding and requires long hours both on and off the water, but the dolphin research is both fun and rewarding. Field assistants will gain valuable research experience and may have the opportunity to contribute to co-authored publications. Those interested in a STEM career, especially in behavioral ecology, marine mammalogy, marine science or evolutionary biology are encouraged to apply. It may be helpful to review our recent publications <https://www.monkeymiadolphins.org/publications-2/> to get a feel for our lab's work. *Timeframe:* ~5 months *Field site:* Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Monkey Mia is approximately 850 km north of Perth and is part of the largest World Heritage site in Western Australia. Our field site is beautiful, and is home to diverse wildlife such as sharks, rays, turtles, dugongs, whales, and of course, resident bottlenose dolphins. Monkey Mia is remote, but we do have amenities including electricity and running water, reliable cell phone service, and limited internet. Housing will be provided, and the research team will share cooking responsibilities in a communal kitchen and other domestic chores. *Job responsibilities:* Research assistants will help collect extensive behavioral data from the boat, including surveys and focal follows on individual dolphins. Boat work is dependent on weather, but even on windy days we need to be ready to pack up and quickly get out on the water if the wind drops. Days on the water can be consecutive, long, and tiring in variable environmental conditions. Days on land require extensive, and tedious, data entry and processing. *Most of your time will be spent:* · Searching for and spotting dolphins · Driving the boat · Scribing data during surveys and focal follows · Entering dolphin sightings and environmental data into the computer · Doing basic maintenance, equipment prep and cleaning *Qualifications:* The ideal candidate will be a graduating senior with a science background and a genuine interest in marine mammal science and behavior. This position is well suited for students of marine biology, animal behavior, zoology, ecology, genetics, or similar fields looking to gain additional analytical and field experience. Applicants must be able to work closely with a small team (3-6 people). We not only work together, but also live, cook, and eat together, so maturity, sense of humor, a positive attitude and a collaborative nature are critical. *The candidate must:* · Possess basic computer skills · Be detail oriented, flexible, level headed, and patient · Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills · Work well both independently and in a team · Be comfortable on a boat and working in a remote location · Be prepared to work long, consecutive days, including weekends · Field experience or experience working on boats is desirable, but not required The most essential qualifications are that you are flexible, conscientious, and hard-working, and are excited about the research. *Salary:* This is a paid position; research assistants will receive a modest stipend. All travel and living expenses (flights, visas, housing and food) will also be covered. We particularly want to encourage candidates from groups that are underrepresented in STEM fields to apply. *Eligibility:* - This position is not restricted to U.S. citizens, but travel support is limited for non-U.S. citizens/residents. - This position is open to applicants completing their bachelor’s degree in 2024. - Applicants who are currently enrolled or will have begun a graduate program (M.S. or Ph.D.) by August 1st are not eligible. - Applicants must be fluent in English. - Due to the nature of the work, all participants must be in excellent physical health and able to lift 20 kg (50 lbs). *Application: *https://forms.gle/L9e681jyf2FaCZij9 The form will be open from April 1th-April 16th 2024. The application will close at 11:59pm EST on April 16th; no late submissions will be considered. All applicants will receive notification of our decision no later than May 15th. Any questions can be directed to field season lead, Meredith MacQueeney, mem...@georgetown.edu. -- Meredith MacQueeney (She/Her) PhD Candidate, Department of Biology Georgetown University 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057 *** Please know that I honor and respect boundaries around personal time, well-being, caretaking, and rest. If this email finds you at a time when you are engaging in any of the above, please protect your time and wait to respond until you are next working.***
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