[Biostudent] Student Research Position- COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team)

[BIOLOGY via Biostudent]

Summer REU position with COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team)

This position will work as part of an in-office team, completing duties related to the preparation and development of a new COASST marine mammal guide.
The position will begin on June 17 and last until September 13th, with some flexibility for time off or vacation. The REU project stiped is a total of $10,000, dispersed over the summer quarter. Expected working hours are ~40 hours/week (full time), in person at the Fisheries Building (COASST offices, FSH 254).

Major projects:

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Photos: with the goal of finding photographs of all target species as beachcast carcasses, in conditions ranging from fresh to skeletal/mummified, taken with a photo ruler or other scale, and including close-ups of the head, flippers/fins, and tail; conduct a photo search:
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Query COASST marine mammal photo database for carcasses of all target species in a variety of conditions. Sort them according to the Level A carcass condition scale. Index and organize for easy retrieval. Train interns to support this ongoing task.
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Determine which National Stranding Network photos are needed to "fill gaps."
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Search the web for photos of all target species as beachcast carcasses, and "fill gaps" with finds as appropriate.
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Literature review: conduct a thorough review of the literature on the target species searching for all publications which contain species' measurements and "in hand" identification characters at species and higher taxonomic levels; published literature should include: academic publications, government reports, and published guides.
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Create a database (e.g., Zotero) of all publications.
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Create a flat file (e.g., Excel file) of all measurements and identification characters, with one sheet per species. This work will build upon previous work by COASST.
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Stranding Network Data: assemble measurements data from stranding network database for target species carcasses found in "COASST relevant" locations.
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Experts: from the literature review gather names/contact information for local experts (West Coast and Alaska) from across multiple sectors (tribal, government, academic, stranding network) who should be invited to participate in co-design workshops.
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Locations: based on COASST sightings data, make recommendations on locations (and possibly individual surveyors/survey sites) where the project should host in-community co-design workshops and protocol testing in Washington and Oregon.

Learning objectives:

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Use library search tools to find existing research
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Work collaboratively with other researchers
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Present results of research to other members of the team


Position Requirements: in-progress undergraduate degree; experience with Microsoft Office Suite including Excel/Spreadsheets.
Desired Qualifications: Knowledge of the COASST dataset and program; interest/experience in marine science/biology; literature reviews

To apply, contact jks18 at uw.edu<mailto:jks18 at uw.edu> with a cover letter and resume.

Priority application review date is May 23rd, 2024.


Biology Advising
University of Washington, BOX 355320
318 Hitchcock Hall
http://www.biology.washington.edu/programs/undergraduate

Zoom drop-in advising hours (10-15 min meetings):

Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting https://washington.zoom.us/j/97207369544

Advising Sessions via EMAIL, PHONE, and ZOOM. In person advising available by appointment only.

Please include your name and student number in your emails.
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