Overview

Operation Wallacea is a network of academics from European and North American universities who design and implement biodiversity and conservation management research programmes across 13 countries worldwide.

We are currently recruiting for a Macroalgae and Sea Urchin Barrens Project Leader to work at our Silba site in Croatia. This position will run from June 24th until August 8th, and information on the site is available on our website here – https://www.opwall.com/location/croatia/silba/

The role of Macroalgae and Sea Urchin Barrens Project Leader for Opwall involves working closely with undergraduate students who are completing their dissertations by researching sea urchin barrens as drivers of Adriatic fish and invertebrate community structure and abundance- https://www.opwall.com/expeditions/thesis-expedition/croatia-marine-dissertation-1/

The aim of this project is to monitor the health of both healthy macroalgal areas and sea urchin barrens at this site. Urchin barrens will be mapped to give a broad estimate of their abundance and also identify areas of high and low urchin barren density. Barrens will then be analysed in detail using quadrats and compared to nearby areas of healthy macroalgae, to determine the impacts of urchins on the benthic community. Surveys of the macroinvertebrate community will then be carried out using belt transects, to identify impacts of urchin barrens on their abundance and diversity. Finally, fish surveys will be completed using Underwater Visual Census (UVC) to determine whether the coverage of urchin barrens has any measurable impact on the abundance and diversity of adults or juvenile fish species.

Applicants will need to be qualified and confident to lead students on in water surveys so must be qualified to PADI divemaster or equivalent and have a relevant academic background. Applicants should also have a background knowledge and experience working with fish / benthic community surveys, with experience working with volunteers within similar marine conservation projects.

In return, successful applicants receive full accommodation and food on-site, as well as access to the research and educational programme taking place on-site and the potential to develop their roles within Opwall in future years. Successful applicants will also receive a contribution towards international flights, as well as the chance to dive on various sites across Silba.

The position will be filled as and when we find suitable candidates so if you are interested, please apply as soon as you can to give yourself the best chance. The positions do involve working with minors so if successful you will be asked to complete a background check. For any questions about the project please contact alex.obrien@opwall.ac.uk.

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All Opwall field roles run between early June and Mid-August. Contract lengths can range from as short as two weeks up to ten weeks.
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About Operation Wallacea

Operation Wallacea is a network of academics from European and North American universities who design and implement biodiversity and conservation management research programmes across 13 countries worldwide.