Hiring Organization:
Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp
Date Posted:
2012-08-10
Position Description:
PGS
is looking for a Resident Researcher who will join the PGS research
team in Cameroon and work on great ape conservation-applied research or a
related topic in the area, with the possibility of University
affiliation for postdoctoral work. Likely areas of research include
great ape socio-ecology, diet, ranging patterns, nest-building
behaviour, etc; botany, phenology and forest composition; human-animal
wildlife conflict mitigation; the impacts of commercial logging and its
associated problems on great ape populations; hunting pressure surveys
and village forest mammal inventories, socio-economic surveys, etc, but
this list is not restricted and we welcome project ideas from
candidates. Likely activities in the forest research site will involve
walking daily on transects to gather indirect information on great ape
ecology, diet and behaviour; work in the villages and nearby markets for
studies on bushmeat offtake and consumption in the region, etc. The
Resident Researcher is welcome to propose his/her own research/study
idea.
The second role of the Resident Researcher will be the general overview
of PGS activities in the field, and he/she will be expected to report to
the Project Director on a monthly basis and to the In-country
Coordinator on a daily basis, as required. They will be expected to take
charge of camp management and dealing with local personnel, assisted by
the PGS authorised researchers at camp at the time; providing images
and reports from the field on a monthly basis for reporting and project
publicity; and monitoring of the integrity of the research site and the
project’s objectives in the field.
The successful candidate will be provided with necessary research
equipment; satellite phone; lodging in the city, village and research
site (lodging in the research site and probably village as well will be
in a tent); and use of facilities where available (city: hot water,
internet, electricity, gas; village and research site: gas for cooking,
possibility of limited power for light and some computer use; in country
transport). You will be accompanied at all times by a trained and
knowledgeable local guide, Cameroonian or international researcher, or
member of the PGS team. However, you will often and regularly be the
only expat worker staying at the research site. It is estimated that you
will spend 4-6 weeks in the field and 2 weeks in Yaoundé when
necessary, to work on data entry, analysis and report-writing, and
although this can be flexible, the emphasis is on the Resident
Researcher being able to offer a more permanent presence in the field.
Qualifications/Experience:
An
interest in conservation or research of great apes or other wildlife
and/or rural development and socio-economics is necessary. Academic
background in conservation biology or a related is essential, preferably
post graduate or doctorate level. Physical fitness and tolerance of
tough conditions and isolation for periods of time is an advantage.
Knowledge of French is essential and an experience of living and working
in Central Africa would be hugely beneficial. The Resident Researcher
will be expected to spend some field missions in the research camp
alone, possibly within 3 months of arrival, with no other researcher
present and with local guides and cooks to manage, etc. It is therefore
important to be comfortable with living in isolation for weeks at a time
while maintaining high spirits and professionalism.
Salary/funding:
The
Resident Researcher will receive a stipend of €500/calendar month (into
a bank account in home country) and one return flight from Yaoundé to
home country (reimbursed after completion of appointment). Holiday and
time to travel within the country or continent is flexible and can be
discussed prior to appointing overseas. Travel home during the
appointment is possible, but PGS cannot fund the travel. PGS will cover a
short-term tourist visa cost to enter Cameroon, and a long term
residency (2 years) once in country; however the Resident Researcher
must cover all other costs related to their travel (ie, insurance,
vaccinations, etc) and should bring a tent, sleeping bag, suitable
clothing, medicines and other personal items required for living in the
forest/village.
Support
provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Food
and drink is not supplied. Field worker must buy their own food prior
to each entry into the forest (estimated at €2/day in the field, but
possibly twice that when in the city). In country travel for work is
covered by PGS.
Term of Appointment:
This
position is for 24 months (although shorter contracts will be
considered) and is available from late 2012/early 2013 (with some degree
of flexibility).
Application Deadline:
For
more information, interested candidates should write to
Nikki.tagg@kmda.org with a cover letter and CV before 30th September
2012.
Contact
Information:
Rue 1.859
Yaounde, none BP 5619
Cameroon
Telephone Number:
00447901877622
Website:
E-mail Address:
