Bolsa de Investigação: ARDITI-OOM/2017/006

Job: Cetaceans photo-identification and mark-recapture estimates fellowship for project Mistic Seas II;

Job/Fellowship Reference: ARDITI-OOM/2017/006;

Main research field: Biological sciences;

Sub research field: n/a;

Job summary:

In the context the project MISTIC SEAS II, OOM-ARDITI is looking for a cetacean photo-id researcher (Master degree), with knowledge and experience in photo-identification of small delphinidae, preferably of bottlenose dolphin and/or short-finned pilot whales, to carry out a photo-identification study to estimate abundance of these species using Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) methods following the Robust design.

Job description:

“MISTIC SEAS II – Applying a subregional coherent and coordinated approach to the monitoring and assessment of marine biodiversity in Macaronesia for the second cycle of the MSFD“, is a project financed by the DG ENV, European Commission (No. 11.0661/2017/750679/SUB/ENV.C2). The project aims at implementing the common monitoring programs designed in MISTIC SEAS project and reinforce regionally coherent, coordinated and consistent updates to the determination of GES, as well as to prepare the next steps of the 2nd cycle of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive - MSFD (2008/56/EC), including the revision of the initial assessments and the definition of environmental targets by July 2018, in accordance with Article 17(2a and 2b), Article 5(2) and Article 3(5) of the MSFD.

This is a photo-id researcher position to carry out in the field the pilot photo-identification study of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in Madeira archipelago as well as to assist in the biological sampling of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). This work is to test the sampling approach proposed in the sub-programmes “Abundance and demography of coastal cetaceans” and “Loggerhead capture and sampling” established in Project MISTIC SEAS.

In the context of this project, OOM-ARDITI is looking for a cetacean photo-id researcher (Master degree), with knowledge and experience in photo-identification of small delphinidae, preferably of bottlenose dolphin and/or short-finned pilot whales, to carry out a photo-identification study to estimate abundance of these species using Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) methods following the Robust design. The selected applicants will temporarily integrate the cetaceans team of OOM - Oceanic Observatory of Madeira, headed by Luís Freitas, scientist with decades of experience in the study of cetaceans in Madeira archipelago.

Requirements

For the applicant to be considered a candidate for this scholarship it is required to have a master in Biology, ecology or similar field and be fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Workplan

The responsibilities of the cetaceans photo-id researcher include, among others:

• Participate in the workshop “MISTIC SEAS II” to define the photo-identification sampling strategy to implement the Capture-Mark-Recapture methods following the Robust design;
• Participate in any theoretical and/or practical field work training;
• Carry out the photo-identification daily campaigns according to the protocol agreed in the workshop;
• As a cetacean photo-id researcher, implement and follow the sampling protocol established for the photo-identification surveys, including a systematic and proficient data collection at sea and an efficient coordination of tasks with the sea turtles’ researcher participating in the same campaigns, under the supervision of the Sub-program coordinator;
• Organize, compile and validate all the data collected after each daily survey;
• Collaborate in other navigational and logistical tasks on board while at sea;
• Process and analyse photo-identification data (and associated metadata) to estimate of abundances of the target species following Capture-Mark-Recapture methodology;
• Collaborate with other tasks of Project Mistic Seas II sub-programs that are being implemented in Madeira archipelago;
• Collaborate in writing-up the reports considered in the project and related with the cetacean’s photo-id researcher work;

Scientific guidance and workplace

The work will be carried out at the Science Unit of the Madeira Whale Museum, Caniçal, Madeira Island, under the supervision of Luís Freitas

Duration

10 months

Salary

980.00€/month tax free - ARDITI research fellowship (BI -  master) monthly maintenance stipend and regulations are determined by ‘FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia’ (http://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores.phtml.en).

Evaluation criteria

FS = QA + EP + ML
FS – Final Scores
QA – Qualifications
EP – Experience
ML – Motivation

QA:

• 2 points – Master in marine Biology or Ecology;
• 2 points – Thesis on photo-identification of small Dephinidae, preferably with the application of Capture-Mark-Recapture methodology;
• 2 point – Small boat driving license accepted in Portugal to sail up to 5 nm from the coast, equivalent to the Portuguese license “Patrão local”;

EP:

• 2 points - Experience in the field as cetaceans’ observer, including the identification in situ of species;
• 2 points - Experience in the field in collecting general observational, effort and photo-identification data (take images of dorsal fins to be used in CMR analysis), including, the use of digital photographic camera for these purposes;
• 2 points - Experience in organizing, validating and processing observational data, effort and photo-identification data, namely, selecting images, classifying images (quality and distinctiveness) and carrying out the individual matches;
• 2 points – Experience in the analysis of photo-identification data (and associated metadata) to estimate abundance of the target species following Capture-Mark-Recapture methodology;
• 1 point – Experience in the field collecting data and handling marine turtles for biological sampling;
• 1 point – Good knowledge of Portuguese, spoken and written;

ML:

• 4 points – Motivation;

The jury may decide to conduct an interview to the three best graded candidates in the qualifications, experience and motivation evaluation, and that interview will contribute to 40% of the final scores of these candidates (i.e., the joint score of the CV evaluation and motivation letter will be 60% of the final score)

Selection panel

• Luís Freitas
• Thomas Dellinger
• Cláudia Ribeiro

Application contents

• Motivation letter (highlighting the candidate’s motivation and adequacy to work, but not repeating the CV)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Relevant qualification certificates (e.g. Master’s degree certificate and/or letter confirming the master’s completion + digital copy of the thesis)
• Digital copy of the Thesis (Master), if relevant for the evaluation of the application (see evaluation criteria)

Announcement of the results

Via e-mail.

Application submission and deadline

The application is to be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. until the 19th May 2017