Location: Australia
Company: Deakin University
Salary: AU$71,332 - AU$78,753 p.a. (plus 17% superannuation)

Closing Date: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Date Posted: Sunday, May 06, 2012

Qualifications:
- Experienced research diver or management of research diving operations and procedures - Knowledge and experience in the maintenance and operation of boats up to 10m - Demonstrated knowledge of technical computing including basic system administration and programming for the acquisition of data from, and control of, external devices.

Description:
Effective technical support of marine and aquaculture related research activities including the operation, maintenance and oversight of the use of specialist equipment including boats, diving and oceanographic equipment and the purchase, installation, commissioning, calibration, maintenance and repair of key equipment.

Effective maintenance and support of school infrastructure including boats, aquaculture facilities, specialised electronic equipment (acoustic positioning system, multibeam sonar, CTDs, DGPS and other oceanographic equipment), data acquisition and processing support. Establish and implement a research diving policy and research diving program.

Represent the University as the Dive Safety Officer, including checking and approving all diving activity for the University.

Ensure the implementation of all University policies that relate to the areas for which the position is responsible, in particular, those relating to equal opportunity, occupational health and safety, risk management, staff development and staff performance planning and review.

Contact Name: Dr. Daniel Lerodiaconou
Contact Phone: +61 3 55633224

The Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University and the Mexican non profit marine
conservation organization Comunidad y Biodiversidad (COBI) invite applications for a technician position. The selected candidate will work in the laboratory of Fiorenza Micheli at the Hopkins Marine Station and will spend considerable time doing fieldwork in Baja California, México, working on a project investigating oceanographic variability and ecological responses within coastal fishing communities that have committed to marine conservation through marine reserves. The main tasks for this position are to conduct field studies to investigate the efficacy of fully-protected marine reserves to confer resilience to climate variability and recover depleted populations of marine invertebrates. Field activities will involve the design and conduction of underwater ecological monitoring, the deployment and maintenance of oceanographic sensors, and the conduction of ecological experiments using scuba. Laboratory activities will include creation and maintenance of databases, data analyses, processing of samples (e.g., phytoplankton, recruitment collectors) that will be conducted both in the field and at the Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University. Required qualifications include: a MS in marine sciences or marine ecology; extensive experience in ecological monitoring and field experiments; and willingness to spend extended periods of time at remote field locations. Because of the setting of the field locations, and the international nature of this project, bilingual skills (Spanish and English) are required. All else being equal, preference will be given to candidates that would be able to start as early as July 1, 2012. The position is initially for 12 months, but it could likely be extended to up to four years. Candidates should send via email a letter of interest describing their qualifications relevant to the project and past research experience, their full CVs, and arrange for the names and contact information of two references to both of the following addresses:

Dr. Fiorenza Micheli
Professor
Hopkins Marine Station
Stanford University
Oceanview Blvd.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA

Dr. Andrea Sáenz-Arroyo
Science Director
Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C.
Popocatepetl # 28 Despacho 1
Colonia Hipódromo Condesa
México 06100 DF

Application deadline is May 25, 2012. Review of applications and interviews will begin immediately after this date and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

We are a private Foundation that is operating a scientific field station in Chilean Patagonia. Huinay Scientific Field Station was inaugurated in 2001 and is situated 100 km south of Puerto Montt, in the fjord Comau; it is the only scientific station in a Chilean fjord. The surroundings are characterized by steep mountains and volcanoes. Almost 6000 mm annual precipitation gives rise to extremely lush vegetation characterized by extra-tropical rain forests.

The small village Huinay with its approx. 25 inhabitants can only be accessed by a 1-1.5 hour boat-trip (speed boat) from Hornopiren. Most infrastructure - except some small shops and a rural hospital in Hornopiren - is located in Puerto Montt, a 3 to 4 h drive or bus trip from Hornopiren.

Knowledge on organisms and ecological functioning of the fjord ecosystems is very poor in Chilean Patagonia especially in the marine environment. The goal of the station is-besides carrying out some own projects- to attract national and international projects which help to fill the existing gaps.

To accomplish this, the field station has basic infrastructure: a dry and a wet laboratory, diving and lodging facilities (8 rooms for up to 16 scientists/interns/assistants).

Projects involve all kinds of terrestrial and marine base-line research but main focus is on the marine environment and counseling for the establishment of a network of marine protected areas. In this context we are mainly promoting inventory studies of the fjord ecosystems and we generally organize one expedition to remote areas of the fjord region each year.

We recently finished a major project, a scientific field guide for marine benthic fauna of Chilean Patagonia.

We are looking for one technical-scientific assistants for approx. two years (can be longer, too), beginning approx. August 2012. We are ideally looking for technicians with biological knowledge and interest with the following abilities.

Key abilities:

- fluent English

- profound diving skills (>200 dives) and experience with cold-water (dry suit) diving and diving under difficult conditions, ideally at least dive master or equivalent

- good Spanish knowledge (at least good conversation level for phone calls and email conversation)

We cannot consider any candidates without these key abilities!

In addition he/she should:

- be an open, communicative, easy-going and nature-loving person who has no problems or rather enjoys to live in an isolated and rainy place and be able to adapt to new situations

- be self motivating and able to deal with difficulties of living in a small remote place with few people

- be an organized and multi-tasking-able person (it is necessary to parallelly keep track of a lot of different tasks, of sampled specimens, the small library etc.)

- have a friendly but convincing way and be able to represent authority e.g. to enforce our rules towards scientific visitors, hold up in discussions against fishermen etc. (some intercultural experience and being above a certain age generally makes this easier)

- have technical understanding and basic skills to take care of laboratory (microscope, binoculars, aquaria,..) and diving equipment (compressor, tanks, regulators,..)*

- have a general scientific, biological (taxonomical) and ecological interest and understanding (ideally knowledge of or interest in invertebrates and their sampling and preservation). But please keep in mind: This is not a research position!*

- be flexible, patient and should be able to improvise (experience in developing countries or better in South America is of advantage)

- have basic computer skills (Windows XP/7, MSOffice, Internet). System administrative skills are of big advantage.

- Have a car driving license. Ideally have experience in driving small motor boats; A Chilean boat license officially is necessary for this but can also be made in Chile.

*: The work responsibilities can also be divided between the two assistants so that one assistant is more technically and one more scientifically oriented. This time we are rather looking for a person with communication and organizational skills, and with experience with preservation of marine invertebrates.

The assistants are in charge of and keep track of the day to day scientific activity at this field station and represent the scientific staff towards visiting scientists, tourists who come by etc. during the absence of the staff biologists. They are in charge of database work, keep track on ongoing projects, train and supervise interns etc. They can and should work quite independent, but follow the guidelines given by the scientific director/managing scientist and ask for feed-back when major decisions have to be taken.

The work includes:

- assisting the scientific director/managing scientist and visiting scientists in miscellaneous tasks whenever required but also be able to “see” and resolve problems and work independently.

- supervising interns/trainee students

- taking care of laboratory and diving equipment (daily care and evening check when visitors are present, general maintenance, minor and simple repairs)

- being the main contact person for visiting scientists (e.g. answering general questions by e-mail ahead of the visits, requesting and administrating required forms; explaining logistics and infrastructure at the station, explaining lab rules; organizing the boat trips for scientists and helping that lab work and daily life goes smoothly) and redirect questions and requests when work fields or competences of other staff members are addressed.

- present the scientific infrastructure and work to visitors and explaining ongoing projects (also non-scientific: in summer regular tourist visits)

- entering information in databases or supervise interns to do so (literature, biological, oceanographic data and special observations on the fjord Comau)

- preserving, logging and shipping of samples (e.g. specimens); possibly also taking pictures of collected specimens

- administration of information about visiting scientists (boat trips, rented equipment, time of stay, questionnaires, pictures …); regularly sending updated information to the persons in charge of the website,…

- accompanying visiting scientists on dive trips (of course not all visitors dive): showing and explaining dive sites and taking care that diving and sampling rules are respected (but no dive guiding)

- operating and maintaining the compressor

- help in the acquisition and maintenance of equipment (search for distributors, ask for prices quotes, tracking orders, organize repairs, emitting complaints when necessary etc.…

We offer:

- 550.000 CLP/ month (1133 US$) for the first 6 months, 650.000 CLP/month (1200 US$) from month 7 to 12, and another raise after one year -10% tax -7% health insurance -3% retirement ensurance, the latter one can partially be reimbursed for foreigners when leaving the country (remark: general health insurance is pretty good in Chile and there is an additional health insurance for work related accidents and diseases)

- reimbursement of expenses for an additional dive accident insurance like DAN or equivalent (this insurance is mandatory for anyone diving at Huinay Scientific Field Station and must be contracted by the diver prior to dive activities at the station)

- Free lodging and food on the station and free transport from and to Hornopiren on regular boat trips (there arise no expenses during the stay on the station). You can also take the ferry that runs twice a week for approx. 3 US$

- trip/flight back to the place of origin (if outside of Chile) after termination of the work contract

- 4 days off for every 11 days of work (flexible handling is possible and necessary; but days off cannot be accumulated for more than 1 month) and 15 days of vacation days (Monday through Friday) each year

- flexible handling of daily work hours, but there are core hours when at least one assistant should be available

You can find more information on the website or ask Emma or Dan ("Research Assistant" ).

We are looking forward to your applications consisting of the filled out form (ask the research assistants for it), a cover letter explaining your personal incentive to apply at Huinay Scientific Field Station, and why you think you are qualified for the job, and a CV (not longer than 4 pages). Applications that do not include the asked documents cannot be considered. You can ask for the form (as Word, Excel or pdf document) at huinayresearch(ad)gmail.com. Please already list 3-5 possible references, which will be necessary for applicants on the short list (these referees should know you personally and mainly describe your abilities to deal with difficult and unknown situations, rather than pure professional abilities); please do not send them now! Please send the application to huinayresearch(ad)gmail.com –

Replace (ad) with @ in the e-mail addresses!

It is necessary that the successful applicants apply for their work visas prior to arrival at the station. Successful applicants will be sent copies of the work contract which need to be signed and returned for confirmation by a legal representative in order for you to apply for a work visa. This process can take up to 8 weeks.

DEADLINE: 1.6.2012

The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Dive Office will be conducting a 30 minute presentation April 7 on the upcoming job opportunities with the Underwater Explorers Program. All leadership level divers (Divemasters, Assistant instructors and Instructors) will receive free admission into the aquarium and a behind the scenes tour of the facility.

See this flyer for more information.

Note that the deadline is 4/17.

The Oregon Sea Grant Summer Scholars program is seeking undergraduates who would like to get an inside look at marine science and resource management careers by spending the summer working on a marine science project for a state or local agency. Oregon Sea Grant plans to select up to nine Summer Scholars, each of whom will spend 10 weeks this summer working with a marine research, outreach, education or public policy agency or institution in Oregon. Potential projects range from collecting and analyzing biological data to developing museum exhibits and assisting on information campaigns.

Any undergraduate student who will have completed two years of study and is currently enrolled in any U.S. college or university may apply. Students of color, from first nations, non-traditional students, and those from other diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This opportunity seeks students from a variety of disciplines whose degree majors are not specifically marine science-based. Students studying journalism, biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, education, political science, or economics, as well as oceanography or fish and wildlife may all be interested in applying.

Selected students will be awarded a $3,000 stipend to offset living expenses during the ten week fellowship. The stipend will be paid in two installments, one upon arrival and one halfway through the fellowship. Student housing will be provided to those students who need it. A small number of need-based assistance grants may be available to cover travel expenses and will require a supplemental application once students are selected.

The application deadline is April 17. For more information, click here.

Five Star PADI CDC Blue Season Bali has launched a new ECO Internship this year. This 4 week program will be conducted throughout 2012. There is a possibility to stay longer than just 4 weeks, or combine the ECO Internship with one of our professional dive
programs.

The program comprises different components. Every week, half a day will be spent on lectures in our purpose built class room. The topics we will discuss are: coral biology, other reef inhabitants (verts/inverts), coral reef ecology, and threats and protection of coral reefs. Moreover, a free PADI course will be offered to our students. For example, if a student is PADI Open Water certified, he or she gets the PADI Advanced course included in the internship. Also, we will offer 5 PADI Specialty Courses: Project AWARE, Project AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, AWARE Fish ID, Underwater Naturalist and AWARE Shark Conservation. Accommodation and lunch on diving days is included in the price of the program.

The majority of the time however, will be dedicated to hands-on coral research. Using the CoralWatch method we will survey different reefs in Bali. This research is particularly suitable for Bachelor and/or Master students with no previous experience in coral research. The combination of lectures, PADI Specialties and the actual coral research in Bali will offer students a great opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to be a marine biologist.

With our internship we try to focus on all level divers, gap-year and university students. If there is enough interest for the program this year, we will be working on a 2nd level internship, where we are planning to conduct a more advanced research (ReefCheck fish surveys). More information can be found on our website or email directly.

A poster in A3 format is available for download here.

The Safety Program Manager/DSO for Clearwater Marine Aquarium will work with all staff, including department heads, within the organization and a diverse team of volunteer divers, in the implementation of overall CMA safety policies and dive safety procedures as well as establish and enforce guidelines to ensure safety throughout the facility for both staff and visitors. The manager will possess a broad knowledge base in all aspects OSHA requirements and guidelines for safety at CMA and safe diving protocols at CMA. The Safety Program Manager will also be responsible for periodic inspections of CMA's facilities and equipment to ensure all local and federal safety codes and guidelines are met. Please submit your cover letter and resume here.

The Smithsonian Institution seeks applications for senior Diving Officer for its Scientific Diving Program. This is a federal position (GS14/15) based in Washington DC, which provides oversight to the Smithsonian’s Scientific Diving Program worldwide, including four major field sites (Chesapeake Bay, Florida, Belize, Panama) as well as activities in other locations globally. The deadline for applications is April 09, 2012. Please see this link for online description and application.

Chuck Rawlinson of Depth Perceptions Diving Services and the San Louis Obispo County Sheriff's Search & Recovery Dive Team, is hosting the 3rd Annual Diver Education Conference in Avila Beach near San Louis Obispo in California on April 14th. Karl Huggins will be speaking about the Wrigley Hyperbaric Facility. Dr. Sam Miller III and Dr. Sam Miller IV will be speaking, the former about the history of regulator design and the latter about medical implants and diving.

See here for more information.

It’s fun! It’s educational! Make your dives count! The Reef Check Foundation invites experienced divers to become trained in our California rocky reef monitoring program. Since 2006, Reef Check’s California (RCCA) Program has trained over 800 experienced recreational SCUBA divers to scientifically monitor California’s rocky reef ecosystem at over 70 sites from Humboldt to San Diego. Reef Check divers participate in surveys ranging along the entire coast of California, and more recently down into Baja, Mexico.

Reef Check California has announced the 2012 Training Dates which can be found here. Each training is held on two consecutive weekends with classroom and pool training the first weekend followed by six training and testing dives in the ocean the second weekend. The cost of the course is $200-$275 (depending on the location) which covers all fees and includes your own personal underwater survey slate and transect tape, the RCCA Training Manual, and species identification flash cards! Getting involved is a wonderful way to learn more about the ecosystems we love and to make our dives and observations count!

Data is publicly available and is actively being use for the monitoring of California’s marine protected areas and by the California Department of Fish and Game to help assess population levels for nearshore fish and shellfish species. Taking action and becoming a trained Reef Check Diver allows you join a group of dedicated divers from all walks of life including commercial and recreational fishermen, university students and scientists who want healthier California rocky reef ecosystems and support science-based decision making.

Scheduled Trainings in Northern and Central California:

Fort Bragg: April 21-22 & 28-29

San Luis Obispo: May 5-6 & 19-20

Monterey: June 9-10 & 23-24

Santa Rosa: July 7-8 & 14-15

Contact Megan or call 831-345-0893 with any questions. Visit the website for more information.

The Diving Safety Officer at Texas A&M University at Galveston will provide general oversight of the health and safety aspects of all diving programs (scientific, instructional, recreational, etc.) in accordance with University and training agency policies and accepted safe diving practices. Review and approve all diving and emergency plans associated with TAMUG diving activities. Liaison with the TAMUG Dive Control Board on all aspects of dive planning and safety. Supervise diving instruction and evaluate all training programs, including all classes that may incorporate diving as a component. Oversee TAMUG staff involved in diving instruction, ensuring training agency and TAMUG diving policy compliance; oversee and supervise student workers and temporary employees of the TAMUG dive program as needed; maintain staffing levels necessary for the achievement of appropriate student-to-staff ratios. Instruct and/or staff diving courses as needed; maintain programs and classes for the development and certification of diving leadership positions. Other duties as required.

For more information contact Captain Allan Post.

I am looking for 2-3 dedicated and able bodied SCUBA divers to assist in implementing an experiment investigating the important physical factors and species interactions affecting seagrass beds in Elkhorn Slough. This is a two year project, however, assistants do not need to be available for both years. The first year (2012) will require about 10-15 field days to test the effectiveness of cage designs and collect observational data. The third year (2013) will involve implementation and maintenance of a large field experiment including data collection, and will require 20-25 field days. The diving is highly technical, and you must be comfortable diving in low visibility conditions, high current velocities, and with heavy gear. Most of the diving will occur in the summer months, however, there are some planned dives for the spring of 2012. For now this is a volunteer opportunity. Students will have the opportunity to develop a senior thesis or undergraduate research project under the framework of this project.

If interested contact Brent Hughes

The Albanian Center for Marine Research (ACMR) is offering a scientific diving course for the 2012 field season. This course complies with the 100+hour AAUS Standards for Scientific Diving. Students will gain diverse diving experience, participate in ongoing underwater research, and learn diving theory and methods in classroom sessions taught by experts in the field. Deadline to apply is March15, 2012. Visit our website for more information.

The Safety Program Manager/DSO for Clearwater Marine Aquarium will work with all staff, including department heads, within the organization and a diverse team of volunteer divers, in the implementation of overall CMA safety policies and dive safety procedures as well as establish and enforce guidelines to ensure safety throughout the facility for both staff and visitors. The Manager will possess a broad knowledge base in all aspects OSHA requirements and guidelines for safety at CMA and safe diving protocols at CMA. The Safety Program Manager will also be responsible for periodic inspections of CMA's facilities and equipment to ensure all local and federal safety codes and guidelines are met. Please submit your cover letter and resume here.

Under the direction of a doctoral candidate from the University of Edinburgh’s School of History, Classics and Archaeology, volunteer underwater archaeological fieldwork experience is available. The project will involve diving in one (or more, per preference or availability) of five reservoirs* in South Lanarkshire, and the Glendevon Reservoir (Perth and Kinross) to survey archaeological sites that were once terrestrial, but are now submerged by the reservoir waters. Site survey will include the Kirkhope Tower, cairns, burnt mounds and several Mesolithic sites. These sites were previously recorded by the Biggar Archaeology Group before rising water levels made them inaccessible to the Group. As such, the dives will be relatively shallow, maxing out at 20M. Opportunities for further and deeper exploratory survey will take place on the last days of each reservoir dive period.

Methods used will include underwater photography, underwater survey (basic measuring and recording using a grid system), and drawing. Each day will consist of three dive teams (of two divers) making three controlled dives to gather data. Divers will ideally be paired with a person of greater/lesser archaeological diving experience to enhance both efficiency and a positive learning/teaching environment.

Full reservoir block-commitments preferred, but ability to commit to specific dates is welcome.

Dates:
March 12th and 18th: Basic introduction and casual meet up (choose one)
March 19-24, 6-days of diving in the Daer Reservoir
March 26-30, 5 days of diving in the Camps Reservoir
April 2-3, 2 days of diving in the Megget Reservoir (shortened due to the Easter holiday)
April 10-13, 4 days of diving in the Megget Reservoir
April 16-21, 6 days of diving in the Talla Reservoir
April 23-28, 6 days of diving in the Fruid Reservoir
April 30-May 4, 5 days of diving in the Glendevon Reservoir (Perth & Kinross)

Compensation Provided: No pay or stipend is available at this time. Limited accommodation may be provided for volunteers traveling a great distance. Lunch (special dietary requirements can be accommodated) will be provided, as well as limited transportation (first come, first served). Cylinder refills are provided, as well as cylinders should divers not have an in-date and serviced one.

Volunteer Requirements: Due to strict HSE and University guidelines, divers must be minimally PADI Rescue Diver, or equivalent (with proof of certification). Some experience of underwater archaeology is a plus, but basic skills sets of the Rescue Diver and a passion for learning/archaeology are considered equivalent.

Required Equipment: All necessary cold-water dive gear- 5mm+ Wetsuit or Drysuit, BCD, Regulators, Air Gauges and Compass, Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Gloves, Boots, Hood, Dive computer (or tables), Air cylinder (if in-date), One primary torch, one backup torch, Strobe light, Weights

Training provided: Introduction to underwater survey techniques and opportunity to utilize new skills; basic underwater photography of archaeological sites; Recognition and understanding archaeological sites in context; Handbook: Basic introduction to underwater archaeology (also includes information about the sites and project)

Other information: The doctoral candidate is Emily Stammitti, MAIPS, MSc. Emily has been enthusiastically diving for 12 years, and has worked as a dive instructor at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in the USA, as well as a reef check diver, special presentations diver, underwater archaeology project manager for the ADA, and independent consultant for the Isle of Gigha. The fieldwork completed in South Lanarkshire comprises the fieldwork component of the doctoral dissertation, and all volunteers’ work will be graciously acknowledged.

*The five reservoirs are: The Daer, Camps, Megget, Talla and Fruid, all located within close proximity to each other in South Lanarkshire

Get in touch with Emily Stammitti here: