We are seeking 2 Field Assistants for a bird ecological project in the Republic of Cape Verde. One assistant is required from 1 September until 15 December 2010, and the other Assistant from 1 October until 30 November 2010. Both positions are funded, except the assistants have to cover their journey to (and from) Maio, Cape Verde. This is a re-advertisement due to changes in funding.
The project
We are investigating breeding ecology and behaviour of Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus in Cape Verde by monitoring colour-ringed individuals. This is an all-year resident population and many individuals are already ringed from previous years.
The place
The study sites are in Maio Island, Cape Verde, at the Salina Porto Ingles and nearby lagoons (see the Bradt Guide to Cape Verde Islands). Accommodation on the islands is in an apartment, with occasional water and electricity. The island has spectacular wildlife, including endemic birds, corals and marine mammals; it is a beautiful and inspiring place to work. However, the island is a small and isolated place with basic commodities, the weather can be harsh and a great deal of walking is required.
The job
The fieldwork will run from 1 September to mid December 2010. It will be unsupervised, and will involve ? among other tasks ? searching for plover nests and marked plovers and their families, taking behavioural observations and monitoring nest survival. It will also involve capturing, ringing and bleeding adults and young.
The candidates
These are voluntary posts. applicants must be willing to pay for their own transport to Maio. Once in Maio, however, accommodation, basic food and expenses associated with research will be covered. In addition, 100 Euro per month may be offered to deserving Assistants. Phone calls and internet costs will not be covered.
You will be a keen birder with sharp eyes and plenty of experience of trapping, handling and ringing birds. Clean driving licence is essential. You must be personable and happy to engage with locals to explain the project; some Spanish or Portuguese is helpful. You must be physically fit, hard-working and meticulous, and have a proven ability to work independently. As you will appreciate from its description, the project will involve many different challenges. A proven ability to collect high-quality data is essential (i.e. a good degree in a biological subject or equivalent experience), and you should be prepared to type up your data in the evenings! You must have a positive attitude and an ability to look after yourself ? this means cooking your own meals, dealing with logistics (such as ordering food), and most importantly being capable of organising your own work for a substantial period of time. If you like chatting on the phone, or feel the need to text and email people all the time, this position is not for you.
The cost of living is high, and fancy food is expensive.
Costs
It is possible to fly through Lisbon from the UK that costs about £700. Internal flights from Praia to Maio should be under £100 one way, and the Praia-Maio ferry costs about £15.
Interested?
Please send a current CV with an email stating why you feel you are a strong candidate to me (Professor Tamás Székely) at bssts@bath.ac.uk
Application deadline: 31st July 2010. Telephone interviews will be done on the following week, and the offers will be made by 6th August 2010.
I will also need the contact details (email and telephone) of two referees.
If you have any questions, please direct them to me at the same email address, or call me on UK 01225 383 676.
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Professor Tamas Szekely
Professor of Biodiversity
Dept of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
01225 383676 (phone), 01225 386779 (fax),
T.Szekely@bath.ac.uk
(email)
http://www.bath.ac.uk/bio-sci/biodiversity-lab/index.htm
SEX, SIZE AND GENDER ROLES: evolutionary studies of sexual size dimorphism
http://www.oup.com/uk/catalogue/?ci=9780199208784
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The project
We are investigating breeding ecology and behaviour of Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus in Cape Verde by monitoring colour-ringed individuals. This is an all-year resident population and many individuals are already ringed from previous years.
The place
The study sites are in Maio Island, Cape Verde, at the Salina Porto Ingles and nearby lagoons (see the Bradt Guide to Cape Verde Islands). Accommodation on the islands is in an apartment, with occasional water and electricity. The island has spectacular wildlife, including endemic birds, corals and marine mammals; it is a beautiful and inspiring place to work. However, the island is a small and isolated place with basic commodities, the weather can be harsh and a great deal of walking is required.
The job
The fieldwork will run from 1 September to mid December 2010. It will be unsupervised, and will involve ? among other tasks ? searching for plover nests and marked plovers and their families, taking behavioural observations and monitoring nest survival. It will also involve capturing, ringing and bleeding adults and young.
The candidates
These are voluntary posts. applicants must be willing to pay for their own transport to Maio. Once in Maio, however, accommodation, basic food and expenses associated with research will be covered. In addition, 100 Euro per month may be offered to deserving Assistants. Phone calls and internet costs will not be covered.
You will be a keen birder with sharp eyes and plenty of experience of trapping, handling and ringing birds. Clean driving licence is essential. You must be personable and happy to engage with locals to explain the project; some Spanish or Portuguese is helpful. You must be physically fit, hard-working and meticulous, and have a proven ability to work independently. As you will appreciate from its description, the project will involve many different challenges. A proven ability to collect high-quality data is essential (i.e. a good degree in a biological subject or equivalent experience), and you should be prepared to type up your data in the evenings! You must have a positive attitude and an ability to look after yourself ? this means cooking your own meals, dealing with logistics (such as ordering food), and most importantly being capable of organising your own work for a substantial period of time. If you like chatting on the phone, or feel the need to text and email people all the time, this position is not for you.
The cost of living is high, and fancy food is expensive.
Costs
It is possible to fly through Lisbon from the UK that costs about £700. Internal flights from Praia to Maio should be under £100 one way, and the Praia-Maio ferry costs about £15.
Interested?
Please send a current CV with an email stating why you feel you are a strong candidate to me (Professor Tamás Székely) at bssts@bath.ac.uk
Application deadline: 31st July 2010. Telephone interviews will be done on the following week, and the offers will be made by 6th August 2010.
I will also need the contact details (email and telephone) of two referees.
If you have any questions, please direct them to me at the same email address, or call me on UK 01225 383 676.
************************************************************************
Professor Tamas Szekely
Professor of Biodiversity
Dept of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
01225 383676 (phone), 01225 386779 (fax),
T.Szekely@bath.ac.uk
(email)
http://www.bath.ac.uk/bio-sci/biodiversity-lab/index.htm
SEX, SIZE AND GENDER ROLES: evolutionary studies of sexual size dimorphism
http://www.oup.com/uk/catalogue/?ci=9780199208784
************************************************************************