Hiring Organization:
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Position Description:
Two research assistant positions are available at the Loango Gorilla Project in Loango National Park, Gabon. The assistant tasks will include: data collection on one habituated group of western gorillas and assisting in habituation of another group of gorillas. This work requires long hours in the forest and a great deal of patience. Other tasks include data entry, and possible assistance with other projects including phenology, vegetation surveys, and camera traps. The typical day consists of approximately 10 hours walking in the forest, often through swamps, average 10 km per day, rain or shine (6 days in the forest per week). The work is physically demanding. Loango National Park is located on the coast of Gabon and consists of several ecosystems including coastal forest and swamps.
The project operates out of the Yatouga Camp, which has only basic amenities: no running water, solar power only, etc. (there is not-bad internet and good phone network). All staff live in the camp and we eat dinner together every night. Everyone must be willing to work together as a team and be willing and interested to live in a multicultural, communal work/living setting. Loango is a lowland forest that contains many swamps (which we walk through nearly daily) and a wide array of wildlife including forest elephants (which we encounter nearly daily).
Qualifications/Experience:
The
applicant must have at least a BSc in biology, zoology, anthropology or
a related discipline. Previous field experience with primates or other
animals will be viewed as a great asset. An interest in botany and
general ecology is helpful. The applicant should demonstrate an ability
to handle the living conditions at the site. A minimum knowledge of
French is required. A one year commitment is required.
Salary/Funding:
200 euros per month. One round trip airfare to Gabon, basic health insurance, internal travel costs, accommodation (small wooden hut), and basic food are provided. If you want anything special you need to purchase it yourself. You will be required to have basic health insurance that also covers emergency repatriation and liability. You also must have vaccinations for measles, yellow fever, TB, hepatitis A and B, polio, and meningitis (cost of vaccinations are not paid by the project).
Term of Appointment:
1 year, starting December 2020 or January 2021.
Application Deadline:
September 20, 2020
Comments:
Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, CV, and names and email addresses of 3 references via email to robbins@ eva.mpg.de by September 20th; If you do not hear from me by October 1, 2020, assume that you are not being considered for the position. Please do not send repeated letters of inquiry or telephone calls.
Contact Information:
Martha Robbins (robbins@ eva.mpg.de)
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Leipzig 04013