Job Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) - Researcher Acoustic monitoring cetaceans

The researcher is expected to independently coordinate and lead projects, analyze the collected data and report on the data. One of the tasks is to train colleagues in the use and analyses of the monitoring methods. He/she should be able to work within interdisciplinary research projects, in particular when the towed hydrophone array is used on different vessels (e.g. fishery surveys, visual bird surveys). The collected data needs to be stored in databases to allow further analyses in combination with other data sources (e.g. data modeling). The researcher should also feel comfortable in adapting existing acoustic methodologies where necessary.

We are looking for an acoustican or a marine biologist with a keen interest in applying acoustic methodologies to monitor marine mammals and their role in the marine ecosystem. Candidates need to be able to design, coordinate and when necessary participate in the acoustic field work and data analyses for new and ongoing projects. The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the development and the use of acoustic techniques in marine ecosystem projects and should be capable of working as part of a small, dedicated team. A high level of competence with electronics, acoustics and computers is essential. This includes experience with acoustic hardware and software, computer programming and database design. Experience in marine mammal monitoring work would be an advantage. We are looking for a canditate with good communication skills that is eager to be part of a growing team. For further information, please contact Floris Groenendijk, head of the Ecosystems department, tel: +31 (0) 317 487087, email: floris.groenendijk@wur.nlThe interviews will be held on april 2, 2010

Depending on your experience, the function level will be Researcher 3 or 4 (scale 10 / 11; minimum salary € 2.388,-- per month, maximum € 4.438,-- per month before taxes for a 36 hrs working week).

Wageningen IMARES (http://www.imares.wur.nl/NL/) is the Dutch institute for strategic and applied marine research. We focus on fisheries management, environmental protection and spatial use of the seas and coastal zones. Our core competencies are (marine) ecology, nature protection, water quality, contaminant risks, biological production and marine governance. Our research methods comprise (sea going) fieldwork, experiments, lab work, data collection, data management, modeling and simulations. Wageningen IMARES employs 190 people representing a broad variety of scientific disciplines. The institute is part of Wageningen University and Research Centre and has strong links with the academic world. The department Ecosystems focuses on the functioning of marine ecosystems and is located in the northwestern part of the Netherlands. The marine mammal group is extending because of an enhanced attention to sea mammals together with an increased human use of the seas (especially due to wind farms). The Marine Mammal group is involved in a variety of projects that apply passive acoustic monitoring methods for cetaceans, in particular the harbour porpoise. The two methods applied are stationary devices (TPODs, CPODs) as well as towed hydrophone arrays. We anticipate more projects in this field in the future. Whereas stationary acoustic monitoring takes mostly place to investigate the small scale habitat use of harbour porpoises, the towed hydrophone array can be used on a larger scale and for a wider range of species. It is often combined with visual surveys or fishery cruises and close cooperation between all researchers is necessary. Wageningen University and Research CentreDelivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus – each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society – such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don’t do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on ‘the quality of life’, turning ideas into reality, on a global scale. Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need.For further information about working at Wageningen UR, take a look at www.jobsat.wur.nl.

Floris Groenendijk