FIELD ASSISTANT: KALUDIYAPOKUNA PRIMATE RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION PROJECT (SRI LANKA) (show original)8:47 AM (10 minutes ago)
Hiring Organization:
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University
Date Posted:
2020-01-23
2020-01-23
Position Description:
We are seeking two volunteer field assistants for 6-12 month positions as part of a project on langur conservation and biology in the Central Region of Sri Lanka. We focus on two sympatric langur species: the critically endangered northern purple faced langur (Semnopithecus vetulus philbricki) and the endangered tufted gray langur subspecies (Semnopithecus priam thersites). The project?s long-term goals are to pursue research directions in both behavioral ecology and conservation ecology, by contrasting two species of langur with contrasting responses to human encroachment and environmental change. In the short-term, these projects can only be successful with the habituation of wild animals needed for study. Projects directors are Dr. Amy Lu (Stony Brook University), Dr. Roberta Salmi (University of Georgia) and Dr. Rajnish Vandercone (Rajarata University). The project site is situated close to the Kaludiyapokuna Forest Reserve, a few kms from Dambulla town (Central Region).
Assistants' duties consist of different activities:
Throughout the year assistants will conduct: a) full-day follows in Kaludiyapokuna Reserve to habituate monkey groups, and to collect behavioral data and fecal samples for hormone, microbiome and genetic analysis of semi habituated groups; b) monthly collection of phenology data, weather data, and maintenance of trail system in the reserve; c) conservation and educational activities with local schools and communities; d) weekly data entry and maintenance of field equipment, motorbikes and house.
Some management responsibilities will also be required, including: (1) scheduling local assistants, (2) and maintaining the motorbikes used for the project (by bringing them in to the mechanic).
Living conditions:
The assistants will share the house with 2-4 local research assistants/students, and one local villager who takes care of the house and cook meals. The house has three rooms, each outfitted with 2-3 beds, one indoor and one outdoor bathroom (both with showers), a kitchen, a refrigerator, a laundry machine, an office with computer, printer, an equipment cabinet and freezer for fecal samples storage, and a large living-dining room. Potable water is purchased biweekly and the house has running water for kitchen and bathroom use. The house has also a nice garden (front and back), a phone line (to receive calls and for making emergency and work calls), and internet connection (exclusively for work related activities). NOTE: assistants can purchase a data sim card to be used for personal communication, video calling, web browser, etc. at low cost 4/7 Gb at $10/15). Motorcycles are used for transportation to and from the house to the reserve. Each month includes 8 vacation days (assistants are welcome to stay at the house or travel around on their own budget), that can be taken each week (2 days) or all together (e.g., 8 days in a row).
We are seeking two volunteer field assistants for 6-12 month positions as part of a project on langur conservation and biology in the Central Region of Sri Lanka. We focus on two sympatric langur species: the critically endangered northern purple faced langur (Semnopithecus vetulus philbricki) and the endangered tufted gray langur subspecies (Semnopithecus priam thersites). The project?s long-term goals are to pursue research directions in both behavioral ecology and conservation ecology, by contrasting two species of langur with contrasting responses to human encroachment and environmental change. In the short-term, these projects can only be successful with the habituation of wild animals needed for study. Projects directors are Dr. Amy Lu (Stony Brook University), Dr. Roberta Salmi (University of Georgia) and Dr. Rajnish Vandercone (Rajarata University). The project site is situated close to the Kaludiyapokuna Forest Reserve, a few kms from Dambulla town (Central Region).
Assistants' duties consist of different activities:
Throughout the year assistants will conduct: a) full-day follows in Kaludiyapokuna Reserve to habituate monkey groups, and to collect behavioral data and fecal samples for hormone, microbiome and genetic analysis of semi habituated groups; b) monthly collection of phenology data, weather data, and maintenance of trail system in the reserve; c) conservation and educational activities with local schools and communities; d) weekly data entry and maintenance of field equipment, motorbikes and house.
Some management responsibilities will also be required, including: (1) scheduling local assistants, (2) and maintaining the motorbikes used for the project (by bringing them in to the mechanic).
Living conditions:
The assistants will share the house with 2-4 local research assistants/students, and one local villager who takes care of the house and cook meals. The house has three rooms, each outfitted with 2-3 beds, one indoor and one outdoor bathroom (both with showers), a kitchen, a refrigerator, a laundry machine, an office with computer, printer, an equipment cabinet and freezer for fecal samples storage, and a large living-dining room. Potable water is purchased biweekly and the house has running water for kitchen and bathroom use. The house has also a nice garden (front and back), a phone line (to receive calls and for making emergency and work calls), and internet connection (exclusively for work related activities). NOTE: assistants can purchase a data sim card to be used for personal communication, video calling, web browser, etc. at low cost 4/7 Gb at $10/15). Motorcycles are used for transportation to and from the house to the reserve. Each month includes 8 vacation days (assistants are welcome to stay at the house or travel around on their own budget), that can be taken each week (2 days) or all together (e.g., 8 days in a row).
Qualifications/Experience:
The candidates should have a B.S./B.A. in Anthropology, Ecology, Biology, or similar, be experienced traveling/living abroad, be able to speak English and have an interest in learning Singhalese (although all local research assistants speak English), be passionate and eager to learn about primates and animal behavior, and be physically fit, emotionally mature, and able to live in a house with basic amenities and limited internet connection. Previous experience with nonhuman primate research, systematic data collection, and driving motorcycles is a plus! (but can also be taught at the field site). Working in the forest is tiring, and tolerance to insects? bites (ticks, mosquitos, etc.) is a must (no malaria is present in the Island but dengue infection is a rare possibility).
The candidates should have a B.S./B.A. in Anthropology, Ecology, Biology, or similar, be experienced traveling/living abroad, be able to speak English and have an interest in learning Singhalese (although all local research assistants speak English), be passionate and eager to learn about primates and animal behavior, and be physically fit, emotionally mature, and able to live in a house with basic amenities and limited internet connection. Previous experience with nonhuman primate research, systematic data collection, and driving motorcycles is a plus! (but can also be taught at the field site). Working in the forest is tiring, and tolerance to insects? bites (ticks, mosquitos, etc.) is a must (no malaria is present in the Island but dengue infection is a rare possibility).
Salary/funding:
Salary not provided
Salary not provided
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Expenses provided by the project:
1) In country transportation to and from the field site
2) Lodging and meals in Colombo (for project-related travel) and at the field site
3) Sri Lanka entry VISA and resident VISA (price varying depending on assistant nationality)
Expenses paid by assistant:
1)Airfare to/from Sri Lanka (reimbursement may be provided in occasional cases based on available funding and only after the completion of a minimum stay of 8 months).
2)Any expenses incurred during leave days and not related to the project.
3)International health insurance (proof needs to be provided at time of hiring). Routine vaccinations should be up to date and others are recommended (Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, etc.). Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory only if arriving from a Country at risk of transmission (check CDC website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
4)Purchase of personal field gear and other personal items [clothes (trekking pants, long-sleeves shirts, trekking and leech socks ? they work well for ticks ? recommended), rain poncho, watch, backpack, trekking shoes, field hat, insect repellents ? for mosquitos, ticks, etc.-- sleeping bag, towels, toiletries, etc.], including travel medicinal kit (we can provide a list of useful things to have with you).
Expenses provided by the project:
1) In country transportation to and from the field site
2) Lodging and meals in Colombo (for project-related travel) and at the field site
3) Sri Lanka entry VISA and resident VISA (price varying depending on assistant nationality)
Expenses paid by assistant:
1)Airfare to/from Sri Lanka (reimbursement may be provided in occasional cases based on available funding and only after the completion of a minimum stay of 8 months).
2)Any expenses incurred during leave days and not related to the project.
3)International health insurance (proof needs to be provided at time of hiring). Routine vaccinations should be up to date and others are recommended (Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, etc.). Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory only if arriving from a Country at risk of transmission (check CDC website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
4)Purchase of personal field gear and other personal items [clothes (trekking pants, long-sleeves shirts, trekking and leech socks ? they work well for ticks ? recommended), rain poncho, watch, backpack, trekking shoes, field hat, insect repellents ? for mosquitos, ticks, etc.-- sleeping bag, towels, toiletries, etc.], including travel medicinal kit (we can provide a list of useful things to have with you).
Term of Appointment:
Preferred start date: May, 2020
Preferred start date: May, 2020
Application Deadline:
Applications will be reviewed until the positions are filled.
Applications will be reviewed until the positions are filled.
Comments:
How to apply:
Please email Dr. Lu (email: am...@stonybrook.edu) with subject line "Sri Lanka Field Assistant Position": 1) your CV; 2) the contact information for two references; and 3) a short statement detailing your interest for the position and your future career goals.
How to apply:
Please email Dr. Lu (email: am...@stonybrook.edu) with subject line "Sri Lanka Field Assistant Position": 1) your CV; 2) the contact information for two references; and 3) a short statement detailing your interest for the position and your future career goals.
E-mail Address:
am...@stonybrook.edu
am...@stonybrook.edu