Voluntariado: Australia.

RECRUITING RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

I am recruiting four research assistants to help with the collection of behavioural and acoustic data on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia.

Research assistants are needed between February and April 2008.

Due to the different instrumentation involved on this project, some degree of training required.

Thus applicants must be willing to commit to the project for a minimum of one month. Applicants willing to participate for the whole 3 months will be given preference.

Research will be based on camping grounds in Amity Point, North Stradbroke island

DUTIES: Assistants should be prepared to work long hours and for many consecutive days, depending on weather conditions.

They are expected to participate in the following duties: photo-identification, theodolite tracking, video recording, behavioural data collection, and computer monitoring including acoustics.

The crew will be distributed between the land-based station and the research vessel. For assistants onboard the research boat, they will be required to assist in boat launching, instrument handling, and boat daily maintenance.

Field work is demanding and volunteers will be assigned tasks according to their expertise.
Although these positions will remain constant for the duration of the field season, as a team member, the research assistant can gain hands-on experience in relation to land-based and vessel survey techniques, photo-identification, behavioural ethograms, animal tracking and acoustic data collection and analysis.

Research assistant will also help on all camping duties, such as cleaning, cooking,

APPLICANTS REQUIREMENTS:

1. Possess a background in biology, marine science, animal behaviour or a related field.
2. Good command of English language is preferred, but not essential.
3. Previous field experience with photo-identification analysis, boat handling skills, electronics, animal tracking, theodolite usage or acoustic monitoring would be advantageous but is not a prerequisite.
4. Be passionate, meticulous and diligent, fast-learner and resourceful, pro-active andteam oriented.
5. Adaptability is crucial, as research tasks are plenty and highly dependant on weather. Flexibility and patience are of essence.
6. Weather variability may provide for long intense hot days either on the land-based station or on vessel, as well as inactive days where analysis will take place. Be prepared and willing to engage on all these activities under these circumstances.
7. Be prepared to camp for extended periods of time in North Stradbroke Island.
8. Be able to commit for a minimum of 4 weeks (though applicants willing to commit for the whole 3months will be preferred).

COMPENSATION: Unfortunately no salary will be provided to research assistants. Volunteers are responsible for their travel expenses to Brisbane, as well as their housing in this city during days off the island. Research will provide for food and accommodation during fieldtrips in the island. This fieldtrips may last indefinitely, depending on weather conditions and camping restrictions.

HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested, please provide a short CV, two reference letters, and a letter explaining your interest in the project and goals for the future to Alvaro Berg (alvaro.bergsoto@jcu.edu.au) by 20th of January 2008.

Thank you for your interest

Alvaro Berg Soto
PhD candidate
James Cook University
Queensland, Australia