Description: We seek an enthusiastic volunteer field biologist to aid
with monitoring, capturing, and behavioural observations of shorebird
species including Kentish plover inhabiting coastal regions of Tunisia
(2nd April-30th June 2020). Research expenses and accommodation during
the field season will be covered by project funding.
Our objective is to investigate the evolutionary diversity of breeding behaviour across shorebirds species. The project is supported by international project ÉLVONAL Shorebird Science (elvonalshorebirds.com), University of Debrecen (Hungary) and University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (Hungary).
Duties: Daily duties include walking through saltmarsh/coastal beach habitat searching for nests and broods and resighting plovers and other shorebird species with binoculars or scope. Once a nest is located, it is marked on a handheld GPS and the eggs are measured and floated to determine expected hatch date. Adult plovers are caught on nests with funnel traps and ringed/banded, measured, and sampled for blood. Behavioural observations of brood care and nest attendance are also needed. The volunteer will work as part of an international team that includes experienced researchers from the UK, Hungary and Tunisia.
Knowledge/skills required: A candidate must have the ability to work long hours and independently while maintaining a positive and enthusiastic attitude. Experience with bird ringing and knowledge of French language is desirable but not essential. A valid driver’s license is needed. Colour vision and the ability to walk on uneven terrain for up to 6 km per day.
Skills and training offered: Resighting colour-ringed/banded birds with binoculars and scope, nest searching, floating eggs, trapping ground nesting birds, ringing/banding birds with metal and darvic rings/bands, taking blood samples and behavioural observations. If the applicant is inexperienced in any of the aforementioned skills but demonstrates high potential, enthusiasm, and keen knowledge of ornithology or evolutionary biology during the recruiting process, we will seriously consider your application and provide the relevant training needed in the field.
To apply: Interested candidates should contact Dr Grant McDonald (gcmcdon@gmail.com) with applications that include max one page motivation letter and max three pages CV highlighting relevant experience and mentioning referees. Documents in English should be sent to Grant McDonald before deadline: 28 February 2020.
Our objective is to investigate the evolutionary diversity of breeding behaviour across shorebirds species. The project is supported by international project ÉLVONAL Shorebird Science (elvonalshorebirds.com), University of Debrecen (Hungary) and University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (Hungary).
Duties: Daily duties include walking through saltmarsh/coastal beach habitat searching for nests and broods and resighting plovers and other shorebird species with binoculars or scope. Once a nest is located, it is marked on a handheld GPS and the eggs are measured and floated to determine expected hatch date. Adult plovers are caught on nests with funnel traps and ringed/banded, measured, and sampled for blood. Behavioural observations of brood care and nest attendance are also needed. The volunteer will work as part of an international team that includes experienced researchers from the UK, Hungary and Tunisia.
Knowledge/skills required: A candidate must have the ability to work long hours and independently while maintaining a positive and enthusiastic attitude. Experience with bird ringing and knowledge of French language is desirable but not essential. A valid driver’s license is needed. Colour vision and the ability to walk on uneven terrain for up to 6 km per day.
Skills and training offered: Resighting colour-ringed/banded birds with binoculars and scope, nest searching, floating eggs, trapping ground nesting birds, ringing/banding birds with metal and darvic rings/bands, taking blood samples and behavioural observations. If the applicant is inexperienced in any of the aforementioned skills but demonstrates high potential, enthusiasm, and keen knowledge of ornithology or evolutionary biology during the recruiting process, we will seriously consider your application and provide the relevant training needed in the field.
To apply: Interested candidates should contact Dr Grant McDonald (gcmcdon@gmail.com) with applications that include max one page motivation letter and max three pages CV highlighting relevant experience and mentioning referees. Documents in English should be sent to Grant McDonald before deadline: 28 February 2020.