The
Mandrillus Project (www.projetmandrillus.com), created in 2012 by a CNRS
researcher (France), is a long-term scientific project to study the ecology and
sociality of a Gabonese forest primate, the mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx). The study population consists of 180
individuals living in a large social group in the Lekedi private park, in
southern Gabon, near the village of Bakoumba. The study population is monitored
daily.
The
Mandrillus Project is recruiting a research manager to supervise this research
station, which employs between 8 and 10 full-time staff and regularly hosts
students and researchers for short or long stays.
The tasks / activities related to
the manager position are:
-behavioral
data collection in the field and daily follow-up of the mandrills
-laboratory
work for the management of biological samples collected in the field
-management
of the scientific data sent regularly to researchers
-management
of scientific protocols developed by researchers and students.
-administration
(planning, payrolls and administration with the Gabonese authorities, budget
management) and human resource management of a team of Gabonese and European
field assistants
-welcoming
and facilitating stays of students and researchers
-management
of the car park
-management
of scientific/telecom equipment
-writing
of monthly reports on project events
-management
of the relationships with local communities and employees of the Lekedi Park
Required skills for the manager:
-Previous
experience in the field is mandatory
(preferentially in Equatorial/tropical countries)
-Previous
experience in the study of animal behavior is a real plus
-Experience(s)
abroad and / or in isolated conditions
-Previous
experience(s) in management / logistics is a plus
-Excellent
communication skills
-Be
physically and mentally resistant
-Be
open to cultural differences
-Abilities
to live in isolated areas
-Excellent
level of French (mandatory)
-Excellent
physical conditions (mandatory)
Desirable assets:
-Being
in couple (to come and live in Gabon)
-Bachelor
degree
-Skills
in car mechanics and maintenance
-Scientific
rigor
We
are looking for a very organized, motivated and serious person. The recruited
person must be ready to live in isolated conditions and in an Equatorial
environment, in an intercultural context. Although weekly days off are
scheduled, this position often requires a
daily investment. The hired person must be ready to manage their time
optimally for the project.
Because
of the isolated conditions, we will give our preference to a couple. Both partners must be in
excellent physical conditions, because the
field is very rough, harder than expected!
The
partner will be in charge of behavioral data collection and lab work (this is a
full-time local position).
The
person/couple will be housed on site, in the private park, in very good
material conditions (house equipped with air conditioning, water and
electricity). The Lekedi Park is located 7kms away from a small Gabonese
village, Bakoumba, and an hour away from a small town, Moanda.
Although
a couple is strongly desired, we
will also consider single applicant. If a couple is hired, arrangements for the
significant-other are possible within the framework of the project.
Contract length:
1
renewable year (3 months probationary period) up to 2 times.
Salary and benefit :
Manager:
CNRS tariff grid
Housing
included
Local
salary (=stipends) for the partner (full-time position)
An
international round-trip (at the beginning and at the end) for both partners
Deadline for filing a file:
2019,
January 31th
Auditions of the selected candidates
(in Montpellier – the transport to Montpellier is not included or by skype) and
final answer:
First
week of February 2019
Starting date:
May
1st-15th 2019 (not very flexible)
Application file:
Please
send your CV (with names and addresses of three references for both partners)
and a detailed and personalized letter of motivation (standard letters are not
encouraged) by email only to: projetmandrillus@gmail.com