Rhesus monkey research on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico
Hiring Organization: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology & University of Leipzig, Germany
Position Description:
We are looking for a volunteer to assist on a project examining kin recognition on a semi free-ranging rhesus macaque population on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico (USA). The project is being undertaken in the Lab of Prof. Dr. Anja Widdig and Dr. Dana Pfefferle (Leipzig University & Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; see http://www.eva.mpg.de/pks/index.html) The volunteer will work alongside Dr. Pfefferle (http://www.eva.mpg.de/pks/staff/pfefferle/).
The successful applicant will be expected to work on Cayo Santiago for 5-6 days a week, and may also be required to undertake data entry and/or processing in the later afternoon and early evenings. On Cayo Santiago, the primary task will be to assist carrying out playback experiments as well as to help recording rhesus macaque vocalizations. In order to do so, appropriate training will be provided. D. Pfefferle is also happy to explain analyses procedures that ultimately will take place on collected data. This position is ideal for graduate students or recent graduates looking to gain experience in fieldwork and data collection.
We prefer applicants that stay for the entire period of 6 month. However, in the case of two very good applications (and only in this case!), a split into two times three months is possible. In your application please state the maximum time period you can stay.
Qualifications/Experience:
Applicants should have a Bachelor in Biology, Ecology, Animal Behavior, Physical Anthropology, Primatology, or a related field. Previous field experiences (preferably in the tropics) and knowledge of Spanish is helpful, but not necessary. In general, carrying out playback experiments can be a protracted and patience challenging task, including many hours of waiting for the correct situation. Thus you must be able to maintain a positive attitude. Applicants also must be in good physical and mental condition; feel comfortable being far away from family and friends; be emotionally mature, energetic, and very patient; have an excellent eye for detail; don’t be afraid of approaching monkeys (!); willing to work in a small team setting and follow instructions; be able to maintain a positive and humorous attitude towards challenging and tiring work. Although the work can be demanding and tiring, being close to habituated primates is very rewarding and a great experience.
The language in our team is English. The successful candidate must have medical insurance, a valid IACUC certificate (www.citiprogram.org) and will have to provide medical test in order to be allowed to work on Cayo Santiago (information will be provided after acceptance).
Salary/funding:
Support can be provided for housing (depending on sharing houses cost currently range between 185 and 350 US$) and visa if needed. Depending on whether you stay for a 3- or 6-month period, your experience and performance, support for your flight and transportation from and to the airport might also be provided. However volunteers have to cover the expenses for: medical insurance, medical tests required to work on Cayo Santiago, field clothes and personal expenses.
Term of Appointment:
From June 20th 2011 till December 20th 2011.
Application Deadline:
Target application date is January 31st 2011, but open until a suitable candidate has been found.
Comments:
To apply, candidates should email a brief cover letter outlining their interests, experience, and why they wish to undertake work on the project. They should attach a CV that includes at least contact details of two academic reference. If asked, it will be the responsibility of candidates that academic references are send to dpfefferle@gmail.com. Please only send email applications.
Contact Information:
Dana Pfefferle
Germany
E-mail Address: