[MARMAM] Elephant seals and killer whales - Field helpers

[Simona Sanvito]

VOLUNTEERS FIELD HELPERS RECRUITMENT
------------------------------------

PROJECT: Long term study of southern elephant seals and killer whales 
behavioral ecology

WEB SITE: www.eleseal.org

POSITION: Volunteer (unpaid) field helper

DURATION: 3 to 6 months, early September 2014 to early March 2015

LOCATION: Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands, Southern Atlantic


DUTIES:

- Elephant seals: counts, marking, GIS data collection, observation 
of behavior, pup handling, collection of samples

- Killer whales: counts, photoidentification, observation and 
videotaping of behavior, necropsies of preys

DEADLINE: May 31, 2014; please note that, capabilities being equal, 
positions will be allocated with a first come first served policy

Volunteer field helpers are required for the 2014-2015 field season 
of a long term project on southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) 
and killer whales (Orcinus orca) carried out by the Elephant Seal 
Research Group. The field work site is Sea Lion Island (Falkland Islands).

Sea Lion Island on Google maps Successful applicants will receive 
adequate training and will help with tagging and marking, counts, 
mapping of seals positions by GPS, management of environmental data 
loggers, behavioral observations, handling (weighing) of pups, and 
collection of biological samples. Moreover, they will help with 
photoidentification and observation of killer whales, and their 
predation behavior. They will also help with necropsies of elephant 
seals and sea lions predated by killer whales. Volunteers will be 
supervised by the PIs and/or by trained technicians. Previous 
experience of field work is appreciated but not essential. The field 
season runs for 6 months, from the beginning of September to the 
beginning of March. Only applicants who can stay for a minimum of 
about 3 months can be taken into consideration. Preference will be 
given to volunteers wishing to stay for the whole season (6 months). 
Applicants are required to pay all expenses to get to Sea Lion 
Island, and telephone/Internet expenses while there. Accommodation 
and food at SLI will be provided by the ESRG. Accommodation on SLI is 
rather basic and self-catering, but quite comfortable for a field 
research setting. Applicants will be required to work for the whole 
length of the day, seven days per week, with just half day per week 
of rest. The work is physically demanding, and it is often carried 
out in bad weather conditions. People without a good tolerance to 
cold are discouraged to apply. The island is a wonderful place with a 
very rich and tame wildlife, including large colonies of penguins and 
marine birds.

To apply please send 1) a cover letter describing your interest in 
the position, 2) a CV or resume, and 3) a copy of an identification 
document with picture, to dr. Filippo Galimberti 
(fil_esrg at eleseal.org). Please put all documents together in the same 
file. Preferred format for email attachments is PDF. Reference 
letters (3 maximum) are appreciated but not essential, and should be 
sent directly to the email address mentioned above.

Deadline for submission is May 31, 2013. Due to the limited number of 
positions available we warmly suggest perspective candidates to apply 
as soon as possible.

Filippo Galimberti & Simona Sanvito
Elephant Seal Research Group
fil_esrg at eleseal.org
www.eleseal.org