Position title: Research Assistant - 6 months Fixed Term Contract Reports to: Song of the Whale team and Programme Manager Supervises/manages: None Location of job: Song of the Whale Salary: c £22,000 pro rata depending on skills and experience
Purpose
The Song of the Whale (SoTW) is a British registered, purpose built 22m sailing research vessel and classified by the MCA as a Category O vessel. SoTW team is responsible for carrying out research and outreach to address welfare and conservations issues related to threatened marine species and habitats. The team works closely with various IFAW staff across the organisation - country offices, campaign, public affairs and other departments as appropriate. The Research Assistant will work within the SoTW team to participate in their design, implementation, analysis and research programme, as well as with the wider IFAW marine/whale research programme when appropriate. This will involve collaboration with other scientists within IFAW and the broader scientific community, as well as assisting with field research. Accountabilities/Responsibilities - To work with members of SoTW team in the planning and analysing data from field based research programmes.
- Assist with the preparation of research results for presentation internally within IFAW and the broader scientific community.
- Keep up to-date with appropriate developments in the study of marine mammals, in particular passive acoustic study of cetaceans.
- Present analyses and data to other members of the SoTW team and IFAW in non-technical terms as appropriate.
- Participate in research cruises
- Keep up to-date on recent development sin marine mammal science conservation and research tools and techniques.
- Participate in the design and implementation of new research tools and techniques.
- Assist team members in the preparation of reports, posters and papers to present research results
- Maintain links with individual and organisations carrying out similar research.
Requirements - Substantial experience in the field of marine mammals scientific/field research, and in collaborating with researchers in other institutions nationally and internationally.
- Detailed knowledge and experience of wildlife survey techniques particularly cetacean research techniques, marine mammal acoustics and vocalisation both in the field and in the analysis of acoustic data.
- Understanding of the threats posed to marine mammals such as ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement and underwater noise.
- Good understanding of signal processing techiniques and concepts.
- In-depth knowledge of relational database design and experience of a relational database system, preferably MS Access
- Good knowledge of programming languages such as Matlab, Visual Basis and/or SPLUS
- Educated to higher degree of equivalent in a relevant subject and able to assist with selection, and investigate and implement suitable analysis techniques.
- Effective communicator able to produce papers and reports suitable for publication in the scientific press and other media outlets, and to explain analyses in appropriate non-technical terms.
- Experience of working on and handling small boat, able to travel and spend extended periods of time in the field.
- Flexible approach and easy going nature able to work in a small team under sometimes challenging conditions.
The above statement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job, It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. How to Apply
Complete the application form which can be downloaded from
www.ifaw.org/uk/employment
Return the complete application form together with your cv by 4pm Tuesday 31st March 2009. Quote Research Asst.
(a) by email to recruituk@ifaw.org
(b) by post to RecruitUK, IFAW, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UD. Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 20 April and the successful candidate to be in post by the beginning of June 2009. CVs will not be accepted without the completed application form. This post does not necessarily qualify for a UK work permit.
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