lundi 2 novembre 2009

VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANT, The Netherlands

Hiring organisation: University of Groningen, Netherlands

Date posted: 1/11/2009

Position description:

Volunteers are needed for an ongoing capture-recapture program on the Ruffs, Philomachus pugnax. The project is under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Theunis Piersma, head of the Animal Ecology Group of the University of Groningen. Between mid March and early May, thousands Ruffs are passing throught the Frisian grasslands in Northern Netherlands to refuel and moult before to move on to their breeding ground. We study these

migrating Ruffs during their staging period in Fryslân. The fieldwork will consists mainly in the monitoring colour-banded birds. You will collect data on the timing of migration, habitat use, phenotype characteristics, feeding and reproductive behaviour of the birds; but you will also assist with the banding of the birds, blood sampling, and data entry. Our field station will be based inside the study area in Southwest Fryslân along the shore of Lake Ijsselmeer. Volunteers and students involved will live together.


Qualification/Experience:

- Applicants need to have good social skills, a driver licence, experience with handling birds and colour-ring reading is preferred.

- Good working knowledge of English is required but command of Dutch or Frisian is not necessary ;-)

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):

We provide housing and field equipment (good telescopes and binoculars). Volunteers must pay own airfare and living expenses (3-4 Euro per day). However a refund of travelling costs might be possible (depending on pending grant applications).

Term of appointment:

From the15th March to 15th May 2010

Application Deadline:

Applications will be considered until all positions are filled.

Comments

To apply, please send a resume/CV, a cover letter addressing any relevant experience, time available and 2 references with e-mail address. Also don’t hesitate to contact us for any question or more information.


Contacts :

Lucie Schmaltz [l.schmaltzATrug.nl]

Roos Kentie [r.kentieATrug.nl]

Animal Ecology Group, Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, PO Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands.

Website: