VOLUNTEERS - AVIAN FIELD ASSISTANTS - Agency: Max Planck Institute for Ornithology - Location: Seewiesen, Germany. Job description: we are seeking two volunteers to help us collecting breeding and behavioral data on Great tit (Parus major) next spring 2012 (volunteer 1: estimated start March 1st 2012- end of July 2012 and volunteer 2: estimated start April 1st 2012-end of July 2012). Our current research focuses primarily on identifying how natural and sexual selection act on animal “personalities” and behavioral plasticity. The candidates will work closely with a large international team consisting of several post-docs, PhDs and students. Duties include behavioral observations (e.g. aggressiveness, provisioning behaviour), nest monitoring, bird handling (ringing, bleeding, measuring), data entry and data management.
Qualifications: Candidates should have a BSc in Biology or a related field in preferably have proven experience with bird handling. Candidates should be highly motivated, willing to work independently, well organized and have a valid drivers’ license. Field work will involve long hours and work in the week-end while still maintaining a positive attitude. We will provide housing for living. Non-EU applicants should make sure that they eligible for extended stay in Europe. Because our study area has a lot of ticks, accepted volunteers will need to be vaccinated against Tick Born Encephalitis (TBE or FSME).
Reimbursement of vaccination costs is possible. Applicants should also be aware that Lyme disease is prevalent in the area. Applications will be accepted until February 2012 or until the positions are filled and should include (1) a statement that highlights relevant experience, and (2) a short resume or CV and contact information for references (up to 2). Send applications to: MARION NICOLAUS (EM: mnicolaus@orn.mpg.de) Max Planck Institute for Ornithology; Dept. Behavioural Ecology & Evolutionary Genetics; Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse 5; 82319 Seewiesen, Germany. For more information about the lab visit: (URL:http://www.orn.mpg.de/mitarbeiter/dingemanse1.html).
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VOLUNTEER ASSISTANTS needed for field study of avian breeding biology in China. at Alabama A&M University, USA and Beijing Normal University, China.
Location: Central China. Duration: 3-4 months. Job Type: Volunteer. Number of
Openings: 1-3 for each project. Job Description: VOLUNTEER ASSISTANTS needed for field study of the breeding biology of birds in central China. Two projects are available: 1) breeding behavior of Black-throated Tit and Silver- throated Tit (starting on 1st Feb, until May); and 2) breeding behavior of Hair-crested Drongos and Black Drongos (from May to Aug). Duties include mist- netting and banding birds, searching nest, taking blood samples, observing behavior, radio-tracking, data entry, as well as any other works involved in the field. The study site is located in the Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, Henan Province, China. Assistants will work with students from Beijing Normal University, China and Alabama A&M University, USA. All expenses in China during work period (i.e. housing, foods, and local travels, etc) will be covered, but there is no salary, and the assistants are responsible for their travel to and from China. Volunteers will have opportunities to learn avian field research skills, see many Chinese endemic bird species, and experience the Chinese tradition and culture. Qualifications: Previous experience with birds is preferred, but not necessary. Basic training such as bird banding, radio-tracking, will be provided. Volunteers are expected to have strong interest in birds and animal behavior, physically fit and be willing to work for long and irregular time in the field, and share rooms with others. To
Apply: To apply, please send via email a cover letter, a resume and the recommendation letter from at least two references to JIANQIANG LI (EM:
lidove.bnu@gmail.com) for the tit project and to LUIS BIANCUCCI (EM:
luis.biancucci@gmail.com) and LEI LV for the drongo project (EM:
lvlei1004@126.com).
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FIELD ASSISTANTS – Virginia Commonwealth University. Location: Allegheny Mountains of Virginia.
Field assistants (4) needed to conduct Golden-winged Warbler surveys and monitoring of reproduction in the Alleghany Mountains of Virginia, 2 hours west of Charlottesville. These positions are to support a conspecific attraction field experiment. Three assistants are needed from ~April 20 until June 30 and one is needed until mid August. Applicants should be willing and able to work alone in remote conditions, work well in a team, and have excellent bird observation skills. Applicants should have some previous field experience, preferably with birds, and have a valid driver’s license. Salary is $1400/month, plus housing. Applicants must be willing to work six days per week, spend long hours in the field and potentially camp for one day at a time with other field technicians. The Allegheny Mountains region is home to the Washington and Jefferson National Forests with ample opportunities for hiking and camping. To apply, email a letter of interest, resume, earliest starting date, and contact information of three references to LESLEY BULLUCK at the Virginia Commonwealth University (EM: lpbulluck@vcu.edu). Also, feel free to contact Lesley via email if you have any questions.