Hiring Organization:
Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology; Primatology Department
Date Posted:
2010-05-05
Position Description:
As part of the Pan-African great ape monitoring program, we are seeking a highly motivated person to collect, enter and process scientific data at a temporary research site in Liberia, West Africa. The candidate will establish several remote video cameras and autonomous recording units at the site and he/she will be responsible for the maintenance and the functioning of the devices. This will entail regular visits to each device to ensure performance, recharging and/or replacing batteries and/or other parts, doing repairs if necessary, as well as downloading data and exchanging the memory cards. Furthermore, the candidate will collect climate data, as well as density information on chimpanzees, fruit trees, prey species, human signs and tools and information on additional chimpanzee food sources, including ants, termites, nuts and honey. In addition, the candidate will collect and store fecal and urine samples, hair samples, as well as leaf, water, soil, ant and termite samples and whole feathers, snail shells and chimpanzee bones for isotope analysis. The candidate will be responsible for data collection, entry, storage, analysis and the summarizing and reporting of analysis results. Last, the candidate will also be responsible for the smooth-running of the project, the supervision of team members, as well as the managing of the field site.
Qualifications/Experience:
The successful candidate should hold an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in biology or related field. The successful candidate has to be physically and mentally fit, able to spend long periods of time away from developed areas and living with minimal conditions (no plumbing, no electricity, no housing) in extremely remote locations. The candidate needs to be able to work independently, learn fast and make decisions on his/her own. He/she also needs to be able to work in a team and communicate well with the other team members. Field experience (GPS usage, navigation skills etc.) and familiarity with primate ecology are mandatory. He/she needs to be proficient with computers, graphics and spreadsheets and written and oral English proficiency is necessary.
To apply
Please send a Curriculum Vita, cover letter and one to three reference letters to jessica_junker@eva.mpg.de and reference “Field position in Liberia” in the subject line.
Salary/funding:
Salary: none
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Food, tents (for sleeping) and all field equipment will be provided. We will also provide the international flight ticket to and from Liberia, where half of the amount will be paid on the volunteer’s arrival in Liberia and the second half will be paid when the student leaves the field site after one year. Transport in Liberia to and from the field site will also be provided.
Term of Appointment:
July 2010 - July 2011
Application Deadline:
Application open until suitable candidate has been selected
Comments:
We will either hold a telephone interview or a personal interview with suitable candidates (depending on the candidate's current residence).
Contact Information:
Jessica Junker
Deutscher Platz 6
Leipzig 04103
Germany
Telephone Number:
+49 0341 3550 254
Fax Number:
+49 0341 3550 299
E-mail Address:
jessica_junker@eva.mpg.de