Reneco International Wildlife Consultants: paid short-term research assistant position.
We are seeking a research assistant to help conduct behavioural testing in a captive-bred population of North African houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata undulata) at the Emirates Centre for Wildlife Propagation (ECWP) in Missour, Morocco.
The succesful applicant will join an ongoing research project exploring interplays between individual behaviour, cognitive abilities, post-release movements and survival.
The assistant tasks will involve behavioural testing of houbara bustards under captive conditions and in the wild, to assess individual temperamental traits (a.k.a. personality) and cognitive abilities (e.g., learning). Data entry and video analysis will also be part of required duties.
The position should ideally start beginning of March 2021 and last until end of May or June; however, later start dates may also be possible. Besides a monthly 600 euros salary, travel expenses, onsite accommodation and food will also be covered.
Successful applicants should have:
· Completed at least three years of undergraduate studies in animal behaviour/ethology or a closely related field. Experience with field/lab research is highly desirable.
· Experience with testing and handling of animals, preferably birds.
· Fluency in both English and French languages.
· Excellent organizational skills and ability to work both independently and in a team.
· Attention to detail and ability to closely follow and implement experimental protocols.
· Data entry proficiency and, ideally, experience in video analysis
Reneco is a non-profit organization committed to the conservation breeding and protection in the wild of threatened bird species, most notably the houbara bustard, and is active throughout North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
To apply, send your CV together with a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and motivation, including contact information for two referees, all in a single PDF document to Dr Enrico Sorato: esorato@reneco.org. Review of applications will start immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate has been found.