Field assistant for the LuiKotale Bonobo Project

 The LuiKotale Bonobo Project (LKBP) offers a field assistant position to join an international team of senior researchers, PhD students, and research assistants at the LuiKotale field site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Candidates will contribute to the long-term data base by collecting ranging, behavioral and ecological data for the site’s long term data. Daily duties include focal follows of individual bonobos; collecting and processing vegetation samples and transcribing and securing field data. Candidates will be trained by senior staff and PhD students and are expected to jointly work with assistants of different nationalities. Data are collected from focal individuals belonging to different habituated bonobo communities using a combination of hand-held Cyber tracker devices, Dictaphones, and long-hand notes.

The Luikotale research site is very remote, and can only be accessed by taking a small charter plane from Kinshasa 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 transferred via the camp’s short wave radio. Satellite phones are available in the event of an emergency. Assistants sleep in sheltered tents and mostly eat simple, local foods (e.g., beans, manioc and rice). Both French and English are spoken in the camp.

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 of time before applying for this position.

Candidates express an interest in animal behavior, behavioral ecology and/or anthropology. Due to the remoteness of the field site and its challenging physical and social environment, all 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 of different social customs and beliefs. Social skills and the willingness to work as part of a team are essential. Previous tropical field experience and experience navigating with a compass and GPS unit are assets, but not required. Please note that the LKBP adheres strictly to gender equality and will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment.

Candidates need a health insurance covering expenses in case of a health emergency by charter plane. Expenses for the initial entrance visa, the health insurance, and the costs for the stay in Kinshasa are not reimbursed. The project will cover costs for the long-term visa in DRC, the domestic return flight upfront, and a contribution of up to 800 Euro to the international return ticket AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE APPOINTMENT. 

Salary: 300 Euro/month for the initial months of training; 500 Euro thereafter 

Term of appointment: 9-12 months, starting in December 2021

Applications include an updated CV, a letter of motivation that shows how the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above, and references of three people (or their contact information). Applications should go to Dr. Gottfried Hohmann (hohmann@eva.mpg.de) and Prof. Barbara Fruth (bfruth@ab.mpg.de)

Information about the research and conservation activities at LuiKotale is available at

https://www.eva.mpg.de/primat/research-groups/bonobos/luikotale-study-site.html

https://www.eva.mpg.de/ecology/staff/fruth.html#c20572

https://www.bonobo-alive.org/index.html

Research internship (Unpaid) at Lincoln Park Zoo's

 After a pandemic-related hiatus, Lincoln Park Zoo's Lester Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes is once again accepted applications for unpaid research internships to collect behavioral data with our resident chimpanzees and gorillas.

Apply here: 

https://careers.hireology.com/lincolnparkzoologicalsociety/672916/description

OVERVIEW:

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes offers opportunities for aspiring primatologists to gain valuable experience in a rigorous scientific environment and be part of a long-term program in behavioral primatology. Encouraging and training the next generation of primatologists is a key aspect of our mission, and since 2004, we have provided professional-development opportunities to more than 200 early-career primatologists from around the world.

Successful applicants will collect observational data on the behavior and space use of chimpanzees and gorillas living at Lincoln Park Zoo. All data are collected using ZooMonitor software.

In addition to collecting observational data, interns have numerous professional development opportunities including the chance to participate in the Center’s journal club and attend talks as part of the zoo’s LPZooU Seminar Series.

Every intern must commit to working two full days per week (10AM- 4:30PM, Mon-Fri) for a minimum of 8 months.

We will be accepting 1-4 new interns this winter with a proposed start date of January 2022.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Record observational data on great apes (chimpanzees and gorillas) using an iPad mini and ZooMonitor software (requires passing inter-rater reliability testing).
• Effectively communicate the data collection process and the aims of the Center to zoo guests.
• Perform other research, such as video coding and analysis, as assigned.
• Perform administrative duties, such as data organization, as assigned.

 

THROUGH THE INTERNSHIP, YOU WILL:

• Learn how to reliably collect observational data on socially-housed captive primates
• Increase your familiarity with contemporary behavioral and cognitive research
• Develop an understanding of the scientific writing and reviewing process
• Gain knowledge of quantitative and qualitative analyses and the relevant software and tools
• Gain experience in a professional business setting

 

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Demonstrate understanding and passion for primatology and scientific research;
• Demonstrate an understanding for the role of zoos in research and conservation efforts;
• Possess strong organizational and communication skills (written and spoken); 
• Interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, zoo visitors and the general public.
• Interact positively and enthusiastically with the public about our research;
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently;
• Maintain a positive and flexible approach to daily responsibility;
• Work within tight timelines and in a busy environment;
• Read and understand written and oral instructions;
• Willing to work in a loud and crowded environment;
• Computer proficiency, including intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel and Word);

 

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, psychology, anthropology, or related field.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Proof of negative TB test in the last 6 months.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccine

 

SALARY/FUNDING

This is an unpaid part-time internship.  There are no stipends for travel, housing, or other expenses.

 

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming.  We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values and experiences of all people.  For Wildlife. For All.

 

STAGE 2 MOIS — EFFET DE L’EXPERIENCE SOCIALE SUR L’AGRESSIVITE CHEZ LES ARAIGNEES JUVENILES

 Contexte :

Sur plus de 48 000 espèces d’araignées, 20 seulement ont développé une vie sociale permanente caractérisée par la construction collective d'un piège soyeux, la coopération dans les soins aux jeunes et dans la chasse. Toutes les autres espèces sont solitaires à l'âge adulte, mais présentent également une phase grégaire transitoire à l’état juvénile.

Les araignées juvéniles d’Agelena labyrinthica, avant leur première mue hors du cocon maternel, présentent une attraction mutuelle prononcée, une forte tolérance réciproque et une extrême réticence au cannibalisme malgré leurs réserves énergétiques faibles et leur capacité à chasser des proies. Il a été démontré que la dispersion est la cause, et non la conséquence, du développement de relations agonistiques. En d'autres termes, l'initiation de l'agression et du cannibalisme résulte de l'isolement social consécutif à la dispersion (Chiara et al. 2019).

L’objectif du stage sera de réaliser des expériences comportementales pour caractériser la nature des interactions sociales des araignées juvéniles en fonction de leurs expériences sociales antérieures.

Laboratoire d’accueil : Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier

Responsables du stage :

- Raphaël JEANSON, DR CNRS (CRCA) 

- Emilie MAUDUIT, Doctorante (CRCA)

Durée du stage : 2 mois entre janvier et avril 2022

Candidature : 

Nous recherchons un·e canditat·e motivé·e et surtout qui n’a pas peur de nos amies à 8 pattes. Les candidatures avec CV et lettre de motivation sont à envoyer à raphael.jeanson@univ- tlse3.fr  et  emilie.mauduit@univ-tlse3.fr.

Chiara V, Ramon Portugal F, Jeanson R (2019) Social intolerance is a consequence, not a cause, of dispersal in spiders. PLoS Biol 17:e3000319

Recrutement CDD AI zoologie expérimentale tropicale

 Nous recrutons en CDD pour 6 mois un.e Assistant.e Ingénieur.e en zoologie expérimentale tropicale, afin de gérer des expérimentations de biologie évolutive avec des gastéropodes d’eau douce.

Description du profil et modalités de candidature:
https://eep.univ-lille.fr/assistante-ingenieure-en-zoologie-experimentale-tropicale/

Postdoctoral Research Associate

 The Department of Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis (https://anthropology.artsci.wustl.edu/) is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to join the Reproductive Ecology and Behavioral Endocrinology Laboratory (REBEL) directed by Dr. Krista Milich.

This postdoc will participate in projects investigating the behavioral ecology, endocrinology, and health of wild nonhuman primate populations.  The successful candidate will work to characterize variation in physiological measures in relation to social behaviors, reproductive success, and ecological stressors.  Applicants for this position should have general laboratory skills, experience with immunoassays and/or genetic sample preparation and sequencing, and proficiency in data analysis for a variety of behavioral and biological data (e.g., nonhuman primate social interactions; microbiome and hormone measurements). Candidates should have expertise in biological anthropology, biology, animal behavior, or a related field.

The start date for the position is flexible, but January 2022 is preferred. Qualified candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree by the time of appointment. The selected candidate will be offered an initial contract for one year, with possible renewal.

Application Instructions

Informal inquiries are welcome. Please contact Krista Milich (krista.milich@wustl.edu) with any questions. Please put “REBEL Postdoc Application” in the subject line.  Applications can be submitted via Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/95785 and should include a cover letter (summarizing your research interests and goals, expertise, and relevant skills), CV, and contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin 8 November 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. 

Each year Washington University publishes a Safety and Security brochure that details what to do and whom to contact in an emergency. This report also publishes the federally required annual security and fire safety reports, containing campus crime and fire statistics as well as key university policies and procedures. You may access the Safety and Security brochure at https://police.wustl.edu/clery-reports-logs/.

PhD Fellowship

 PhD Student- The evolution of sexual conflict

We offer a fully funded 3+1 yr PhD position starting ca. July-August 2022; meaning that, if the PhD is finished in less than 4 years, the student can transfer to a junior post doc position for the remaining time.

We are looking for a PhD student interested in studying the evolutionary factors modulating the intensity of male-male competition and sexual conflict, and its consequences in terms of population viability. Strong sexual selection can improve population viability and evolvability through processes such as genic capture. However, strong sexual selection will also often give rise to sexual conflict and female harm, which does not only tend to deviate females from their evolutionary optima, but can drastically affect population viability, leading to a “reproductive tragedy of the commons”. We are interested in understanding what factors modulate the evolution of male-male competition, female harm levels, and sexual conflict at large, and how this all feeds back into population viability and evolvability.

We work mainly with (mostly wild) Drosophila melanogaster, which typically involves behavioural experiments in the lab, experimental evolution, some fieldwork across Europe and the USA/Australia, and potentially some genomics/proteomics. This PhD position may also involve some mathematical modelling.

 We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, hard-working candidate with some background (and a strong interest) in sexual selection, and evolutionary biology and animal behaviour at large. The student will be supervised by Dr. Pau Carazo and based at the Behaviour and Evolution group of the Ethology Lab, at the Cavanilles institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (University of Valencia, Spain). For information about our group visit our website (http://paucarazo.com). Mathematical modelling will be supervised by Dr. Gonçalo Faria (University of East Anglia).

For further information and expressions of interest, please contact Pau Carazo (University of Valencia; pau.carazo@uv.es). The deadline for applications for this position is the 15^th of October.

Pau Carazo, PhD
Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology
University of Valencia
Tel: +34 963544051
http://paucarazo.com