Hiring Organization:
University College London
Date Posted:
2012-09-09
Position Description:
Chimpanzee ecology & habituation project in Tanzania
We need several volunteer field assistants who would like to gain practical experience in chimpanzee habituation and indirect data collection. The successful candidates will be responsible for organising and supervising a team of 6 field assistants. We will provide you with full training on site.
The current study investigates the behavioural ecology of chimpanzees introduced onto Rubondo Island. Rubondo Island National Park is located in Lake Victoria, Tanzania. The island is 237 km2. In addition to chimpanzees, the island contains: elephants, giraffes, sitatunga and suni antelopes, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, and more than 200 hundred species of birds.
Volunteer field assistants will have an opportunity to conduct census surveys of primates and other mammalian fauna along line-transects; take remote camera trap recordings of primates (and other mammals) in the interior of the forest. As well as, assist in vegetation sampling to determine the overall tree species diversity.
Qualifications/Experience:
Previous experience working in a tropical country is an advantage. The candidate must be comfortable living in a remote island location with limited internet. Have a good level of fitness and tolerance of demanding working conditions, as fieldwork involves lots of hiking in difficult terrain, and working 8 hour days in all weather conditions.
The research group consists of an international team of students, volunteers and local staff. Therefore, the candidate should be mature and sensitive to others’ customs and traditions.
Language skills: good speaking and writing ability in English is required. Speaking level KiSwahili would be an advantage.
Candidates should be interested in tropical biology, primates in general and wild chimpanzees.
Salary/funding:
This is a volunteer position.
Permits to work on the island will be arranged by the project. However, covering the cost of the permit will be the responsibility of the volunteer, please enquire for further details.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Housing and transport costs whilst on Rubondo Island will be covered by the project. The closest city to Rubondo is Mwanza which has an airport. A pick-up from Mwanza to Rubondo Island will be arranged by the PI. The candidates will have to pay for any in-country costs associated with travel to the town of Mwanza, on Lake Victoria.
Individual food and drinks expenses are the responsibility of the volunteer and come to about $35 per month; however there is a cook attached to the project who prepares dinner for the team in the evenings.
Prior to departure, candidates will need to arrange for vaccinations, anti-malarial prophylaxis, and travel insurance (for medical evacuation).
Term of Appointment:
We ask that the candidate stay for a minimum of 6 months. The work will commence in October 2012.
Application Deadline:
Rolling
Comments:
If you are interested in this position, please send your CV, letter of interest and the names of 2 referees to n.msindai.09@ucl.ac.uk
Logistics permitting there is also a possibility to meet with the PI and project supervisor Professor Volker Sommer, in London prior to accepting this position.
Do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
Contact Information:
Nadejda Josephine Msindai
Gower Street
London, none WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom
Telephone Number:
07824672380
E-mail Address: