Field Research Intern – Northern elephant seals
The Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Lab at UC Santa Cruz is
looking for a highly motivated intern to assist in field data collection
on northern elephant seals from December 2018 to April 2018
(approximately four months). The successful candidate will be assisting
in a field research project evaluating the behavior of female northern
elephant seals and their dependent pups. Specifically, this project will
evaluate the role of multimodal recognition (acoustic and olfaction)
and the occurrence of allonursing in this species. Through behavioral
observations, recordings and playback experiments during the lactation
period, we will determine if allonursing arises from misguided maternal
care, and further, identify the factors that promote allonursing and
fostering events between females and their pups during the breeding
season. A general overview of the research project can be found on our
project website, http://pinnipedlab.ucsc.edu.
Interns will support all aspects of the research project. For more
information and instructions on how to apply for this position, please
contact cbcasey@ucsc.edu.
Deadline to apply: November 1, 2018. Interviews will be conducted
shortly thereafter. We encourage submission of early applications.
Description
of research project
The Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Lab at UC Santa Cruz is
looking for a highly motivated intern to assist in field data collection on
northern elephant seals from December 2018 to April 2019. The successful candidate
will be assisting in a field research project evaluating the behavior of female
northern elephant seals and their pups. Specifically, this project will evaluate the role of multimodal recognition (acoustic
and olfaction) and the occurrence of allonursing in this species. Through
behavioral observations, recordings and playback experiments during the
lactation period, we will determine if allonursing arises
from misguided maternal care, and further, identify the factors that promote
allonursing and fostering events between females and their pups during the
breeding season. A general overview of the research project can be found on our
project website, http://pinnipedlab.ucsc.edu, and we encourage you to look over
the materials provided there.
As an integral part of a small team, you will be directly involved
in day to day activities of data collection and management. The successful
applicant will have the opportunity to participate in the following aspects of
field work:
Project
activities:
·
5 full days of field work a
week
·
Behavioral observations
·
Photo ID
·
Acoustic recordings
·
Playback experiments
·
Individual animal
identification
·
Re-sighting and tracking
focal individuals
·
Data entry, processing, and
analysis,
·
Education and outreach
Internship
requirements:
We are looking for dedicated, motivated, and hard-working interns
able to commit to the entire field season (December-April). The applicant must
be willing to work early mornings and late nights, be willing to work outside
under harsh weather conditions, and be able to work efficiently as part of a
small team. Must be physically fit and able to hike 5 miles each day. Typical
days begin at 6am and end by 4pm. Previous fieldwork experience is mandatory
(any species).
Project
Site description:
The project takes place at Año Nuevo State Park, which is located
35 miles north of Santa Cruz. Winter weather at this location can be very cold
and windy, even on sunny days. Rain is frequent. Our field team drives to and
from the field site each day from the Long Marine laboratory. All data
entry/analysis takes place at the Long Marine Laboratory. Housing is not
including as part of this internship.
Application
process:
If you would like to be considered for our
internship program, please return the following information to cbcasey@ucsc.edu:
·
CV
·
Cover leter
Deadline to apply: November 1st,
2018