Crew Leader Needed (1) – Behavioral ecology of Variegated fairy-wrens

A crew leader is needed from mid July 2023 to early January 2024 for a field study of the variegated fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti) and other fairywren species in Queensland, Australia. Research focuses on cooperative breeding, maternal investment, and brood parasitism, and will continue a long-term monitoring project, and conducting behavioral studies managed by graduate students from Cornell University and the Doñana Biological Station (additional information at http://www.williamefeeney.com). 

Crew leader will be expected to coordinate, lead and assist the crew of 4 in locating and monitoring nests, observing social behavior, mapping territories, data entry and capturing, bleeding and banding the three local species of fairy-wrens. Previous experience with field research on birds, including color band resighting, mist-netting and bleeding passerines, is required. Please indicate previous species worked with and how you have taken blood samples (i.e.. brachial, tarsus, etc.) in the past. This is a leadership position so you must be willing to mentor and train other team members. 

During the early portion of the season temperatures range from 30- 65F (-1-18C). Later in the season (late Nov./early Dec) temperatures are much warmer and have reached over 100F (38C). Applicants must be friendly, able to hike rough areas off-trail, willing to stay hydrated, and most importantly maintain a positive and energetic attitude despite long hours. Work schedules and duties will vary, so flexibility is a must, though we generally work six days a week for about 8 hours a day.

Opportunities to help out with and advise on these projects will be available if desired. Many assistants have publications from independent projects they designed or assisted on in the field (e.g. see Feeney et al. 2018; Poje et al. 2019; Richardson et al. 2019; Carr et al. 2019).

Successful applicants will enjoy fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities (Wallabies, platypus, koalas, kookaburra, etc.), proximity to Queensland rainforest and the surrounding area of Brisbane. Check out our Instagram, samsonvalebirdproject, to see what we get up to. Food and housing will be provided; however, applicants will need to cover the cost of travel to Brisbane, Australia and cost of visa (if not already in Australia). This will be a compensated position however the exact amount of compensation is TBD. You will need to arrive at Brisbane international airport (BNE). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

To apply, please send a cover letter detailing interests and previous experience as well as dates of availability, CV/Resume, and a list of 3 references to the Cornell/Cambridge Fairy-wren Research Team (EM: cornellfairywrens AT gmail.com). Please feel free to enquire with any questions pertinent to the application process or about the project in general. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with the first round of interview planned for late April.