Crew Lead - Behavioural ecology of Australian birds

Position overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual to lead a team of volunteer field assistants from mid August 2024 to mid January 2025 for our ninth season on a long-term project investigating the evolution of cooperative breeding, brood parasite–host interactions between cuckoos and their passerine hosts, and the causes and consequences of sexual signals at a field site on the shores of Lake Samsonvale, on the outskirts of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. This collaborative study is led by Drs. Jordan Boersma (jordanboersma.com), James Kennerley (jameskennerley.weebly.com), and Mike Webster (birds.cornell.edu/home/staff/mike-webster/) of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Dr. William Feeney of Doñana Biological Station (williamefeeney.com). 

This year we will continue to collect long-term monitoring data on several species of host (Red-backed, Variegated and Superb Fairywrens) and cuckoos (principally Horsfield’s Bronze and Brush Cuckoos), colour-band individuals and collect blood samples, and find and monitor nests. 

The field site boasts a fantastic range of birds (eBird lists it as one of the top hotspots for bird diversity in Australia, https://ebird.org/australia/hotspot/L692632), amazing herpetofauna, and iconic species such as Koala and Short-beaked Echidna. Furthermore, the site is in close proximity to rainforests, beaches and the city of Brisbane, all of which can be explored on rest days which is typically one day per week, but sometimes we venture farther afield and camp for a couple of nights (see the Instagram for photos of what we get up to: @samsonvalebirdproject). We also work closely with the Queensland Bird Banding and Research Group so there are opportunities to join in with their activities as well. 

A typical day in the field will begin at dawn and continue into the early afternoon. The Crew Leader will be principally target-netting adult fairywrens or banding nestlings but will also be involved with nest searching and coordinating activities with field assistants. In the afternoon, the Crew Leader will be involved with data entry and project administration.

By the middle of the season, temperatures average in the mid-30’s Celsius (mid-90’s Fahrenheit) and can exceed 40°C (104°F) under an intense sun. Venomous snakes and ticks are also in abundance. Thus, suitable applicants will enjoy long, often hot and challenging days in the field, banding and hiking through dense vegetation closely following and observing birds, whilst keeping neat and organised field notes.

We also encourage the crew leader to become involved in research wherever possible; see Feeney et al. (2018), Kennerley et al (2019), Poje et al. (2019), Richardson et al. (2019), Kessler et al. (2024), Resendiz et al. (2024) for examples of studies which were led by and/or heavily involved previous crew leaders and volunteers on the project.

Skills and experience

Required

Ability to lead and supervise a team.

Ability to work in the field independently.

Extensive experience banding passerines, including extracting birds from mist nets, identifying, ageing, sexing, and recording standard measurements.

Record of keeping neat and detailed field notes.

Record of care and accuracy in data management.

Comfortable working outdoors in hot temperatures at a location with ticks and venomous snakes.

Comfortable living closely and cooperatively with others, with a positive attitude, flexibility and a good sense of humour.

Full valid driving license.

Desired

Currently holds or has recently held a bird banding permit (any country).

Experience applying colour bands and collecting blood samples

Experience training others in banding protocols.

Experience nest searching.

Experience conducting bird surveys.

Able to identify Australian birds by sight and sound.  

Degree in biology or a related discipline.

Employment details

Pay: $600 per week

6 days on, 1 day off per week

Food and accommodation provided

Local transportation provided

Flights to and from Brisbane provided

To apply

Please send your cover letter detailing your interests and previous experience, particularly banding experience, as well as dates of availability, CV, and contact details for two referees to Jordan Boersma and James Kennerley (email: samsonvalebirdproject [at] gmail.com). Applicants are also encouraged to include a link to their eBird profile and/or examples of field notes in their application.

Please feel free to make informal enquiries with any questions pertinent to the application process or regarding the position or project.