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Dear List members, The IMAR (Instituto do Mar, Centro da Universidade dos Açores) is opening a research fellowship of six months (July to December 2005) within the frame of a project dedicated to the study of the ecology of common dolphins and spotted dolphins in the Azores (Project GOLFINICHO “Ecological niche partitioning in two species of dolphins around the Azores and Madeira”, POCTI/BIA-BDE/61009/2004). Duties will include fieldwork in the Azores and preliminary data analysis. Fieldwork will be conducted on a diary basis onboard an inflatable boat, 3-4 days a week, depending on weather conditions. A cruise of longer duration may also be conducted. This implies that candidates should be in good physical conditions. Fieldwork includes data acquisition on meteorological conditions and route, visual search for the animals, species identification, description of group composition and behaviour, recording of underwater images, attachment of suction-cap tags, and biopsy darting for subsequent genetic and biochemical analyses. Selected candidates will be responsible for data entry in the data base. Depending on their skills, they will also participate in the following tasks: inquiries towards the fishermen community, selection of images and identification of fish species on these images, preliminary analysis of diving profiles. Fieldwork will be carried out around the island of Faial, Azores, Portugal, from the beginning of July to October 2005. Candidates are required to start working in early July and to live on the Island during all the fieldwork period. The latter two months will be dedicated to data analysis and may be spent either in Horta or in Lisbon. Because of visa requirement, candidates from outside the European Union should not apply unless they can comply with the required formalities to obtain a six-month visa before the beginning of the grant. The main selection criteria will be proven practical experience of fieldwork with marine mammals. Experience of biopsy darting is an asset. Preference will be given to candidates with a degree in marine sciences willing to continue in this area. Master students willing to integrate the project for their thesis will be welcome. Candidates should be motivated, rigorous and autonomous. Knowledge of Portuguese is not required as long as the candidate is fluent in English, but it will be regarded as a plus. Monthly stipend will be of 745 euros for bachelor degrees, in agreement with the conditions of the funding institution (FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) and the IMAR regulations. Candidates should send their application by e-mail to Sophie Quérouil ([log in to unmask], with return receipt) no later than 19/06/2005. The application should include a motivation letter describing the candidate practical experience, skills and plans for the future, a detailed CV and one or two recommendation letters. Additional information can be obtained by e-mail or by phone (+351 292 200 439). With best wishes, Sophie Quérouil