Hiring Organization:
SUNY at Buffalo
Date Posted:
2011-04-26
Position Description:
We are looking for two candidates to assist with a project on the socioecology of behavior related to dominance, conflict management and affiliation among rhesus monkeys on Cayo Santiago. We will examine between-group variation and co-variation of behavior across three social groups. The project is being undertaken by Krishna Balasubramaniam, a PhD candidate in the program in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, under the supervision of Dr. Carol Berman (http://wings.buffalo.edu/anthropology/Faculty/berman.htm). The volunteers will be working alongside the PhD candidate (Krishna) in the field.
Successful applicants will be expected to work on Cayo Santiago for 6 days a week, and may also be required to undertake data entry and/or processing during evenings, and on Sundays. Work will primarily involve recording behavioral data (primarily dyadic aggressive interactions, but also grooming, agonistic support in conflicts and tolerance) in three groups of rhesus macaques by following individual monkeys for half hour periods and recording data in a sequential manner into digital devices, and by using video cameras to record interaction at food bins and/or drinking stations.
The study will take place over two time periods (seasons) for a total of 5 months. Tentative starting and ending dates are 15th September 2011 to 20th December 2011, and 15th March 2012 to 31st May 2012. We would prefer that applicants be willing to work in both field seasons, but will consider well qualified applicants interested in working only for one season.
Qualifications/Experience:
Individuals with backgrounds in anthropology, biology, ecology, animal behavior or psychology are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience in primate behavioral data collection on captive, wild or free-ranging groups. Previous field experience (preferably in the tropics) is helpful, but not necessary.
Salary/funding:
No salary is available
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Support for airfare from mainland US to San Juan, Puerto Rico, ground transportation to the field site, and modest lodging (three investigators will have to share a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment) and living expenses at the field site will be covered subject to grant money becoming available. The applicant will have to cover his/her own expenses for medical insurance, medical tests required to work on Cayo Santiago and field clothes. The applicant’s living expenses at the field site will be reimbursed upon completion of each season.
Term of Appointment:
September 2011 - December 2011; March 2012 - May 2012
Application Deadline:
There is no strict deadline, but we will be reviewing applications throughout the month of May, and will take decisions by the second week of June.
Comments:
For more information, please contact Krishna Balasubramaniam at the address below. To apply, please send a brief letter (as an attachment to your email) introducing yourself and expressing your interests in working in this project, a Resume, and two References. Subsequent interviews will be conducted by phone.
Contact Information:
Krishna Balasubramaniam
380 MFAC-Ellicott Complex
Buffalo, NY 14261
USA
E-mail Address:
bk46@buffalo.edu