Position Description: Within the framework of a large collaborative project between the swiss universities of Lausanne (Dr. E. van de Waal), Neuchâtel (Drs. R. Bshary & K. Zuberbuehler) and Zurich (Drs. C.P. van Schaik) on the evolution of social behaviour in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), the Inkawu Vervet Project (IVP) is currently looking for highly motivated volunteer field assistants. Applicants that want to use this opportunity as a jumping board to help them pursue a post-grad degree (MSc. or PhD) in Behavioural Ecology, Anthropology, Evolutionary Psychology or any related field are especially encouraged to apply. IVP is located in Mawana Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, 50km south east of Vryheid.
Assistants will help Postdoctoral researchers, PhD-students and Master students with habituation and data collection on seven groups of wild vervet monkeys at our field-site. Behavioural data (both observational and experimental) and invasive genetic samples (ear-clips) are currently collected on the study groups (each equipped with VHF loggers).
Assistants are expected to spend a minimum of 8 months (but 10 months would be better) in the field in order to qualify for financial compensation of their travel costs (max 1400.- CHF) and their on-site lodging. All applicants are responsible for their own field equipment (hiking shoes, bush clothes, rain gear, etc.), as well as their food costs. Research equipment (tablets, GPS, binoculars and VHF-receivers for telemetry) are provided.
Qualifications: Successful applicants are proficient in English, have excellent social skills, and are able to work within a large, interdisciplinary research team under field conditions.
Salary/funding: No salary is provided.
Support provided volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging): Financial compensation of travel costs after minimum 8 months stay (see above). Lodging and travel costs are paid by IVP.
Term of Appointment: from February 2023, but also more positions later in 2023
Application Deadline: 15 January 2023
Application procedure: Applications consisting of a motivation letter (max 1 page, file named: your name-motivation letter) and curriculum vitae (max 2 pages, file named: your name-CV) should be sent electronically to IVP field manager, Siboniso Thela: sibonisothela@gmail.com and a PhD student on-site, Josefien Tankink: josefien.tankink@unine.ch
Contact information: Prof. Erica van de Waal, director of IVP
Department of Ecology & Evolution, University of Lausanne
Switzerland