Hi everybody -
For your information and possible opportunity:
Regards,
Hugo
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Honours Project
"Interspecific relationships in urban bird assemblages"
$20,000 research funds available
BACKGROUND
The NSW and ACT group of Birds Australia is seeking an outstanding
student/supervisor combination to contribute to its Birds in Backyards
research, education and conservation project. A component of the research
phase of this project is suitable for an honours project in zoology or a
related discipline.
PROJECT SCOPE
There will be freedom for the student and supervisor to develop/modify the
project, in association with a Birds Australia co-supervisor (probably Dr
Richard Major). However, the research must address some pre-defined
research objectives. These objectives include:
determining the distribution of Pied Currawongs, Noisy Miners and a
selection of small passerines across greater Sydney,
determining how their distributions are correlated with each other and with
measures of urbanisation,
reviewing the literature on historic changes in bird communities of
Australian cities with particular reference to Sydney, and
reviewing the literature on the relationship between small passerines and
Pied Currawongs and Noisy Miners
OUTCOMES
It is important for Birds Australia that the results of this research are
published soon after completion of the honours year. Accordingly, a
proportion of the funding is expected to be used by the supervisor to buy
out teaching, or to otherwise facilitate rapid publication of the research
results by the student, supervisor and Birds Australia Co-supervisor.
LOGISTICS
Part of the research will involve analysis of data held by ornithological
organisations. A component of the budget is therefore intended to cover
data costs, as well as fees to an assistant who will liaise with these
organisations and provide the data to the student.
It is anticipated that an important component of the research will involve
the collection of new data by volunteer bird watchers. The student would
be expected to design and analyse this survey, but funding has been
allocated for an assistant to help with recruitment and supervision of
volunteers.
Because the survey must be performed during the breeding season of most
small passerines (c. September-December) it is envisaged that the project
will be undertaken in a mid-year enrolment.
The geographical scope of the project demands that the student be based in
the greater Sydney region. Moreover, the Birds in Backyards Project is an
ongoing project and Birds Australia hopes that this honours project may
foster further collaboration with the student and/or supervisor.
APPLICATIONS
Applications consisting of the student's academic record, the supervisor's
CV and a two-page (maximum) statement summarising the strength of the
application should be mailed to:
Kate Ravich,
Birds Australia,
PO Box 1322,
Crows Nest, NSW 1585
The closing date for applications is December 17th, 1999.
End of year exam results must be received no later than 7th January, 2000.
Interviews of short-listed candidates will take place in the week beginning
17th January with notification to all candidates no later than the 21st
January, 2000.
For more details of the project please contact:
Kate Ravich Ph: (02) 9436 4341, email: or
Dr Richard Major on (02) 9320 6183
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Hugo Phillipps
Communications Coordinator
Birds Australia
415 Riversdale Road
HAWTHORN EAST 3123, Australia
tel: (03) 9882 2622, fax: (03) 9882 2677
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Web site: <http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au>
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