[Coral-List] Research Diving on the Great Barrier Reef

[Jim Cooper]

Damselfish Research Project Seeks Assistant

I am searching for a SCUBA qualified assistant to participate in a 
damselfish research project based at the Orpheus Island Research 
Station on the Great Barrier Reef 
(http://www.jcu.edu.au/field/oirs/). 

Applicants must be available from Nov. 24, 2003 - Jan. 14, 2004. 

You will need to provide a diving certification card, a log book 
validating at least 15 hours of experience after training dives, a 
medical certificate dated within the past 12 months stating that you 
are fit to SCUBA dive, and your own dive gear minus tanks and weight 
belts.

The project is focused on the evolution and biomechanical function of 
damselfish skulls.  We will be observing sunrise spawning around the 
full moons in Dec. and Jan., placing artificial nests within 
damselfish territories, collecting fertilized eggs and embryos, 
rearing larval damselfish in aquaria at the marine lab, and doing 
some limited collecting of adult damselfish using anesthetics (clove 
oil) and/or spear.  

I will pay for residence/bench fees at the research station as well 
as food costs during your stay.  Assistants will be acknowledged in 
all publications that involve work done at Orpheus.

Strong preference will be given to biology or oceanography students 
with dive research experience who reside in Australia.  Exceptional 
applicants from other countries will be also be considered.

Any fellow researchers who will be working at Orpheus during this 
time are welcome to contact me to see if we can work reciprocally 
with each other as dive partners, etc.


Contact information:
W. James Cooper
University of Chicago & Field Museum
wjcooper at uchicago.edu

-- 
W. James Cooper
Director: Bio Outreach Program
The University of Chicago and
The Division of Fishes - Field Museum of Natural History
wjcooper at uchicago.edu
work:  312-665-7756
   fax:    312-665-7391

Mailing address:
Fish Division - Field Museum
1400 S. Lakeshore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60605     USA