We invite applications for one field assistant position for ongoing work at LuiKotale, Democratic Republic of Congo. Candidates will contribute to a PhD project on the behavior of male bonobos. In addition to data collection for the long-term data-base, the assistant will do all-day focal follows, scan sampling and collect urine samples. Candidates are responsible for data entry, data cleaning and labeling/storage of samples. Depending on the candidate’s involvement, participation in scientific publications is a possibility.
Candidates should have a Bachelor or Master’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Ecology or Anthropology and should have participated in field work before. Candidates will be trained by the PhD student and work together with international and local assistants of the LuiKotale Project.
The field site is very remote, access is with charter planes and a subsequent hike of 25 km across dense and swampy forest. There is no running water, phone coverage or internet access. Electricity is limited to power supplied by solar panels. Daily communication is restricted to text-only emails. Assistants sleep in sheltered tents and mostly eat local foods (e.g., beans, manioc and rice). Communication with the international team is in French and English. Candidates must be (a) physically fit; (b) resistant to mental stress; (c) self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision while out in the field; and (d) tolerant to different social customs and beliefs. As team members share resources, social and communication skills are required.
Note that the LKBP adheres strictly to gender equality and does not tolerate any form of sexual harassment.
Field conditions are physically and mentally challenging; work hours can be very long, and assistants are sometimes exposed to severe weather and tropical diseases. Team members live in close proximity to one another and have to adjust to changes in the team composition. Please carefully consider whether you will be able to cope with these conditions for an extended period before applying for this position.
SALARY/FUNDING: 500 (five hundred) Euro/month
SUPPORT
- food (mix of mainly local food and some western food items)
- lodging (in tents)
- airfare for one domestic return flight from Kinshasa to the field site and back
- contribution of up to 800 Euro to an international return flight (reimbursement AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A 9 MONTS TERM OF APPOINTMENT)
TERM OF APPOINTMENT: 9 months starting in January 2026
Candidates need a health insurance covering expenses in case of a health emergency evacuation by charter plane. Not reimbursed are expenses for the initial entrance visa to DRC, the health insurance, and the costs for the stay in Kinshasa.
Applications include an updated CV, a letter of motivation that shows how the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above, references of three people (or their contact information). Applications should be send to Dr. Gottfried Hohmann (hohmann@eva.mpg.de), Dr. Barbara Fruth (bfruth@ab.mpg.de), and Francesca Decina (fdecina@ab.mpg.de)
Information about the research and conservation activities at LuiKotale is available at