Hiring Organization:
Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program
Date Posted:
2013-06-17
Position Description:
A motivated individual is needed for a minimum one-year (with a possible extension to two year) research assistant position studying wild orangutans in Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. This project is a long-term study led by Dr. Cheryl D. Knott and is located in a remote area of primary tropical rain forest in Borneo. The project researches a host of questions relating to the ecology, reproduction, and social structure of these endangered apes. Responsibilities include assisting field staff in orangutan data collection; collecting fruit, urine and fecal samples; processing and assisting in the identification of orangutan foods eaten; entering specific data in the computer, assisting with various daily camp functions and involvement with our conservation outreach program. The position will provide volunteers with the opportunity to study orangutans in the wild and to gain valuable field research experience.
Qualifications/Experience:
Applicants should ideally have an anthropology or biology related degree, a strong interest in primate ecology and behavior, previous rain forest experience, be physically fit, independent, resourceful, able to handle substantial responsibility and have lots of energy! You must be comfortable living in a remote (but stunning) setting with few amenities. Interpersonal skills are very important as you will be living and working in close proximity to other researchers and local assistants.
Salary/funding:
Applicants are expected to cover their visa application fee, travel to the study location, including international and domestic flights, food and hotels. Your other in-country visa fees, housing in Ketapang, travel from Ketapang to the field site, and living expenses while at the field site will be covered by the Project. Research Assistants are required to purchase their own personal equipment (i.e., binoculars, compass, clothing, health insurance, etc.).
Term of Appointment:
1 year
Comments:
To Apply: Interested applicants should email a CV, cover letter, 3 letters of recommendation, and a two-page personal statement to Rachel Bennett at rbennett@bu.edu.
The personal statement should explain your reasons for applying for this position as well as detail your experience in the following areas:
- primatology or other wildlife studies or observation
- field research experience
- other ‘outdoor’ experience and skills
- experience working with a team
- how this fits in with your future plans
Letters of recommendation should address the following questions:
How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?
Please describe the applicant’s research skills and abilities.
• Does the applicant work independently and take the initiative in jump-starting new projects when there is a need to do so?
• Is the applicant flexible and receptive to new ideas?
• Is the applicant able to receive and incorporate constructive criticism?
• How does the applicant respond to frustrations encountered during lab/field work, personnel negotiations, and other incidents?
• The position requires that project members live together and function as a cooperative unit; thus, we are looking for cheerful, low-key people that can get along well with others in fairly unusual conditions. Do you believe that the applicant would thrive in an environment where the social setting is one of close, constant proximity with other researchers and local assistants?
• What skills, in particular, does the applicant possess that stand out to you as befitting this position?
Contact Information:
Indonesia
E-mail Address: