Hiring Organization:
German Primate Center / Cognitive Ethology Lab
Date Posted:
2010-10-04
Position Description:
I am searching for a research assistant during the first part of my PhD-project, supervised by Julia Fischer, Dorothy Cheney and Robert Seyfarth, in the Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. For this project I will study the interactions of male and female chacma baboons.
You would have to learn to individually recognize the animals in order to help me with focal sampling. You would also have to assist me with the collection of fecal samples and the subsequent hormone extraction. Additionally, you would have to collect observational data on female behavior as part of long-term data collection. It might also be possible to collect data for a Master’s thesis.
For description of the field site I suggest reading the third chapter of “Baboon Metaphysics” (Dorothy Cheney and Robert Seyfarth, 2008) or to read this link for a short overview: http://www.psych.upenn.edu/~seyfarth/Baboon%20research/study%20site-new.htm.
Contrary to former projects, we will not live in the described field station. Instead, we will live some kilometers away in small huts or a tent and travel to the group each day by foot or by boat.
Qualifications/Experience:
Candidates with a BSc or MSc in a biological discipline will be preferred. You should be highly motivated to live under the described conditions and to work with wild animals. Furthermore, you should have a strong interest in primate behavior. You should have some prior field experience in Africa to show that you can cope with these kinds of living conditions. Good physical and mental conditions (resistant to social and psychological stress) are essential. Be aware that you will work (and live) in an environment full of elephants, hippos, lions, crocodiles, etc.
However, the most important point is whether we would both be comfortable to spend this long time together. Therefore, I would like to meet you personally before we leave for Botswana!
Salary/funding:
We will pay a gross salary of 400 € / month with which you would have to cover your own meal costs.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
All travel expenses to and within Botswana, and the lodging will be paid (the flight will be refunded after successful completion of the 9 months). A required health check at the “Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine” will also be paid for.
Term of Appointment:
9 months, from January till October 2011. Because the training process will require at least 2 months, it is only possible to apply for the entire 9 months and you should be able to make a firm commitment for the duration.
Application Deadline:
November 30, 2010
Comments:
Please send the application to ukalbitzer@dpz.eu including: 1) a letter of interest/motivation; 2) a CV or resume detailing relevant experience; 3) summary of relevant courses taken and the certificates of the degrees received; 4) addresses of two people who would be willing to provide references.
Contact Information:
Urs Kalbitzer
Kellnerweg 4
Göttingen 37077
Germany
Telephone Number:
0049-551-3851475
Website:
http://www.cog-ethol.de/
E-mail Address:
ukalbitzer@dpz.eu