Hiring Organization:
City University of New York / Cape Peninsula Baboon Research Unit
Date Posted:
2009-05-05
Position Description:
I am seeking volunteers to assist with data collection for my dissertation project on social behavior and stress in female chacma baboons in the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. The project will study variation in social behavior and stress levels of females, and will also look at the impact of commensalism on female baboons. Assistants would be responsible for collecting behavioral data on social behavior, reproductive and demographic parameters, as well as collecting fecal samples for hormonal analysis from multiple social groups. Assistant will spend 2-4 weeks upon arrival learning to identify individual members of the study troops and learning data collection methods. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.
This is not a remote field site. It is close to the city of Cape Town, with access to all the distractions of city life. However, the work is demanding. Assistant must be committed to working on a schedule (6 days a week) without getting distracted by life in a new and foreign country. A regular workday is at least 12 hours long, and requires a lot of walking and possibly some climbing. Data are collected regardless of weather conditions, which is highly variable. Applicant must be able to withstand working in both hot, dry conditions (summer temperatures can climb to 35 Celsius) and cold, rainy conditions.
Qualifications/Experience:
Applicant should have or at least be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, biological anthropology, primatology, or animal behavior. Previous fieldwork experience is a plus, as is previous travel in a developing country. Applicant should be someone who enjoys rugged conditions, spending a lot of time outdoors, and working with animals. Applicant must be mature and able to deal with different types of people from foreign cultures. Must be in good physical and mental health as the work can be very demanding as well as socially isolating. Applicant should also be comfortable with the idea of being away from family and friends for an extended period of time without necessarily having regular contact.
Looking for someone who is dedicated, persistent, flexible, mature, reliable, independent, energetic, and has a good humor to deal with the unpredictability of fieldwork.
Salary/funding:
This is a volunteer position, so no salary is available. Assistant will be responsible for all aspects of expenses related to the trip and the stay in South Africa. Monthly expenses will run about $500, including $200 for shared housing and $300 for food.
Term of Appointment:
Must commit to at least 6 months in the field. Can start anytime from August 2009. Project will continue until January 2011.
Application Deadline:
Ongoing
Contact Information:
Shahrina Chowdhury
Dept. of Anthropology, Queens College - CUNY
Flushing, NY 11367
USA
Website:
http://http://www.baboonsonline.org/bru