Hiring Organization:
SIMPONA
Date Posted:
2011-11-02
Position Description:
Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus) Scent Marking and Vocalizations in Marojejy National Park
1 research assistantship is available to collect data on wild silky sifakas (Propithecus candidus) in northeastern Madagascar in Marojejy National Park from July 1 2012 to December 20 2012.
Main duties include behavioral data collection using handheld GPS units to determine scent marking location and audio recording of vocalizations using digital solid-state audio recorders.
The work will take place at an established field site (Camp 2 of Marojejy NP) with an experienced team that has been working at the site for about 10 years. Although the habitat can be extremely steep (mid-altitude montane rain forest) and it often rains heavily, there are small bungalows at the site as well as a covered dining area.
You will not be alone out there since there will be a second field assistant (from Dartmouth university) and probably a Malagasy university student as well. There will also of course be several experienced Marojejy National Park guides. Probably several weeks at a time will be spent in the field followed by a week of data entry in a nearby coastal city (Sambava).
There are few dangerous animals in forest (except a few scorpions). The biggest risks are those which are typical of any field site: possibility of physical injury (knee pain is not unusual because it is very steep) and basic health issues (occasional stomach upset is not unusual for first time visitors).
The diet is very basic and mainly consists of rice, beans, and vegetables. It can be difficult to work with the same small group of people for many months. Flexibility is required to get along with others and cope with daily life in an impoverished developing country.
Considerable information is available online about this field site and the critically endangered silky sifaka, which is one of the rarest mammals in the world.
Consult these links for information:
Marojejy National Park: www.marojejy.com
Silky Sifakas: www.simpona.org
To apply, please send a CV to Erik Patel: patel.erik@gmail.com
Qualifications/Experience:
No prior field experience is required. Above average physical condition and a basic familiarity with computers is necessary.
People that just aren’t comfortable with machines may have difficulty with the audio recording and GPS gear.
Preference will be given to applicants with an interest in pursuing graduate studies in animal behavior, biology, anthropology, psychology, natural resources, and related disciplines.
Preference will also be given to applicants with some prior experience with primates (particularly lemurs), and those who have prior experience in developing countries.
Some French is a plus since Madagascar is a Francophone country.
Salary/funding:
The research assistant must pay for their own round-trip international plane ticket (approx. $2300usd) and are also expected to assume responsibility for their own field clothes/boots as well as pre-trip vaccinations (and malaria pills).
Past volunteers have also brought their own snacks and other personal items which can lead to substantial luggage overweight costs which the research assistant is also responsible for.
Term of Appointment:
July 1 2012 to December 20 2012
Application Deadline:
December 30 2011
Contact Information:
Erik R Patel
Madagascar
Website:
http://www.simpona.org
E-mail Address:
patel.erik@gmail.com