KOKOLOPORI RESEARCH ASSISTANT
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Kokolopori Bonobo Research Project (KBRP) seeks a research assistant for a one-year appointment to join our international team running a small research site at Kokolopori, Democratic Republic of Congo. Candidates will follow individual bonobos from three different communities and collect behavioural and endocrinological data. The work consists of daily walks in the forest with local trackers following habituated bonobos. Candidates will collect behavioural data and oversee the data collection of local trackers on electronic devices such as GPS and android devices and opportunistically collect urine and feces. They are responsible for coordinating the overall long-term data collection at the site which, in addition to bonobo behaviour, includes urine and feces, and a monthly phenology. Work duties include entering and cleaning the collected data for later analysis. Candidate will work closely with another field assistant responsible for logistical and administrative aspects of the research camp setup. Exact distribution of duties will be decided according to the background and experience of the candidate. FRENCH LANGUAGE SKILLS ARE REQUIRED.
Kokolopori’s field site is in an extremely remote location, accessible by motorbike several hours from a small airfield, without running water or electricity. Field camp members are housed in tents at the field site. Meals provided will consist primarily of locally sourced foods (beans, manioc, rice). The work can be physically and mentally taxing. Candidates will need to provide proof of health insurance covering expenses in case of a health emergency evacuation by charter plane. We ask that you take this into careful consideration before applying. KBRP strives to maintain a respectful, equitable, and harassment-free environment. Sexual and/or gender-based harassment of any type will not be tolerated.
Additional information about the Kokolopori area and field site is available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokolopori .
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
Essential requirements are:
Field experience including behavioural data collection, preferably in an African country.
Above average physical fitness (work consists of following of bonobos daily through dense forest; average daily walking distance 10km).
Above average resistance to social/psychological stress. Candidates must feel comfortable being far away from family and friends and be emotionally mature, energetic, and patient. It is necessary that applicants have good social skills, especially in small groups, and be able to maintain a positive and humorous attitude towards challenging and tiring work.
Practical and technical skills required to orient and move across dense tropical lowland forest without prominent landmarks
Ability to work independently, strong motivation to take on responsibility and the capacity to live and work with a small team including local staff. Furthermore, candidates should have French language skills and a tolerance for customs and practices of traditional societies.
SALARY/FUNDING:
500 US Dollar/month
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:
Food (mix of primarily local food and some western food items)
Lodging (in tents) at the field site
Airfare for one domestic round trip flight from Kinshasa to the field site
Roundtrip international flight to DRC
Expenses for Visa (reimbursed after successful completion of 12-month appointment)
Please note that expenses during the stay in Kinshasa on the way in/out of Congo can only be partially covered by the project
TERM OF APPOINTMENT:
Twelve months beginning in June 2022
Applications should include an updated CV, statement of interest highlighting qualifications/experience, and three references (or contact information). Please email application to Dr. Martin Surbeck, msurbeck@fas.harvard.edu and KBRP administrator Danielle da Cruz danielledacruz@fas.harvard.edu