lundi 12 août 2019

Paid Research Assistant Position (1.5 years), South Africa, bush Karoo rat

What we are looking for: An extremely motivated and independent biology student to join the striped mouse project as research assistant until at least December 2020 to run our field site on bush Karoo rats. Start time will be as soon as possible but latest beginning of 2020. Research assistants get free accommodation at the station, and R3500 to R4750 /month to cover their daily costs. Travel costs will be refunded by a maximum of 100 Euro /month based on the time spent at the research station.

The job: You will run our monitoring of a bush Karoo rat population which overlaps with our striped mouse field site where we have been working for 19 years (www.stripedmouse.com). You will work together with the research and the station managers of the Succulent Karoo Research Station (SKRS), but run the bush Karoo rat field site independently after being trained in all techniques. Tasks will include trapping and observing of bush Karoo rats to study their social system. You will also do some plant monitoring. One main task will be to use mini GPS on bush Karoo rats to determine their social system, daily range sizes and overlap., for which you have to analyse the data. If you wish you can use these data to write a scientific publication on which you become co- or first author, depending on your contribution. In addition, it is expected that you will assist the managers at SKRS with maintenance and possible small repairs.

Desired skills from student
Ability to work hard and independently. Good ability to handle small mammals; the research assistant must be able to put the mini GPS on by himself / herself. Good English skills. Knowledge in any of these fields would be an advantage: animal behaviour, ecology, experimental design and statistical analysis, of GIS software such as QGIS and Google Earth. Handyman skills would be an additional plus for work at SKRS.

Skills student will learn
Several techniques of field work (trapping, marking and radio-tracking of small mammals), collection of behavioural data, working with GIS, research management skills (project and time management). This is an ideal position for somebody who wants to continue with a PhD in animal behaviour afterwards.

Time period and place
Preferred start is November 2019, but a later start can be negotiated. Minimum stay is until end of 2020, but a period of up to three years is possible.

Compensations and cost
The research assistant will receive R3500 / month for cost of living and free accommodation, which is sufficient to maintain a good standard of living at SKRS. After the initial training period of 3 months. this will rise to R4500/month, with a possible increase of R250/month after every 6 months, depending on performance. The student needs to cover medical aid (approx. Euro 150/ year for Europeans) and visa fees, but can be refunded for this later. For each month present at the research station, 100 Euro will be refunded for travel costs and any other costs (visa, medical aid etc).

Details of where the project will be carried out
Succulent Karoo Research Station (SKRS) in Goegap Nature Reserve, near Springbok in the Northern Cape of South Africa: http://stripedmouse.com/site1_2_2.htm. An international team of students, including a research and a station manager, are present at the station.

Trial period
An evaluation will take place after 2.5 and after 5.5 months to evaluate whether the student is coping well and enjoying the stay at the field station.

How to apply
Send a motivation letter (1-2 pages stating why you are the perfect candidate), list of a minimum of 2 referees, and your CV to: Dr. C. Schradin, director Succulent Karoo Research Station, succulent.karoo.research.station@kabelbw.de.

Deadline: There is no official deadline but we will continue searching until a suitable applicant is found. First interviews are planned for the second halve of September, so for full consideration send you application before the 9th September.