Post doc position for early career scientist with the Tai Chimpanzee Project on tool use and social cognition

 Researcher CDD (post doc position): Assessment of social cognition and tool use in chimpanzees under natural conditions

Reference : UMR5229-ANNBUS-022

Number of position : 1

Workplace : BRON

Date of publication : 24 March 2023

Type of Contract : FTC Scientist

Contract Period : 24 months

Expected date of employment : 1 September 2023

Proportion of work : Full time

Remuneration : 2833 à 4003 gross per month depending on experience

Desired level of education : PhD

Experience required : 1 to 4 years

Section(s) CN : Brain, cognition and behaviour

Missions

We are offering a project funded post-doc position for 24 months working on specific aspects of a larger project that examines brain connectomics in hominoids (cooperation between CNRS, France, and the Max Planck Society, Germany).

The post-doc will assess social relationships, tool use and cognitive capacities in wild chimpanzees of the Taï National Park, Ivory Coast.

Activities

The successful candidate is expected to use long-term data from 25 years of data collection on 5 neighbouring communities, video footage of tool use and food sharing events, GPS track logs of focal animals to investigate decision making, planning and collective action problems. Under the condition that we receive a project extension, extensive stays in Africa are expected to collect data on wild chimpanzees of the Taï Chimpanzee Project, Taï NP (Côte d'Ivoire) including the potential for a field experiment in the tool use and social cognition domain. Close collaborations with other post-docs and PhD students assessing similar capacities of chimpanzees in other populations is desirable.

Skills

Qualifications and Requirements

PhD, or comparable degree, in Biology, Psychology, Evolutionary Anthropology or Cognitive Sciences and good knowledge of animal behaviour and animal cognition. We are looking for applicants with experience in the following areas:

1. Proficiency in field observations and collecting behavioural data on social primates.

2. Very good theoretical background on social behaviour / relationships, tool use and social cognition.

3. Excellent statistical and analytical skills with experience in handling large data sets using R.

4. Expertise in conducting field experiments such as playbacks or similar controlled behavioral tests, preferably with primates, will be of advantage.

5. Experience in working and living under harsh conditions in remote areas will be of advantage for a prolongation.

6. Experience in working in a team as well as leading a small working unit and supervision of Master and PhD students.

The successful applicant speaks fluent English, with sufficient French being an additional advantage, be resistant to physical and psychological stress, have strong social skills, enjoy collaborative work and be able to work and live in an intercultural environment.

The successful candidate is proficient to run statistics in R and can work interdisciplinary with neurobiologists, psychologists and behavioural ecologists.

Work Context

The successful candidate will be part of the Ape Social Mind Lab at the ISC, UMR 5229 and will report directly to the research directors Roman Wittig and Catherine Crockford.

Constraints and risks

This work may include research missions to a remote field site.

Additional Information

Applications should be sent by email and should include a cover letter stating research experience and interest, detailed curriculum vitae, a 1-2 page proposal/outline for a 24 month research program, and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees.

For further information please contact: rwittig@isc.cnrs.fr

PLEASE APPLY HERE:

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR5229-ANNBUS-022/Default.aspx?lang=EN

Ph.D Position on Welfare of Zebrafish

 Ph.D Position:

Investigating the mechanisms of motivational states in zebrafish Danio rerio

Motivational or emotional states can have a profound impact upon behavioural decisions and physiological responses. Although the fundamental mechanisms have been well studied in mammals we have relatively little information on the mechanisms of emotional states in fish. Further, the understanding how different motivational states affect concurrent states requires an in depth analysis of the interplay between pain fear and stress from changes in gene expression, stress physiology and performance of behaviour. Using a model species, the zebrafish, this project aims to investigate the impact of pain, fear and stress on the neurobiological and physiological responses during these important motivational drivers of strategic behavioural decision making. The project will explore the following objectives:

• A comparison between stress-induced analgesia to drug-induced analgesia in individual and group-housed zebrafish using molecula biology, in situ hybridization and stress physiology
• Investigate the interplay of pain and fear on molecular, physiological and behavioural responses in zebrafish
• Exploring the neurobiological and physiological mechanisms of emotional contagion and the metabolic costs of pain, fear and stress

Applicants should have a Masters or successfully completed a Masters by July 2023.

Deadline: 17^th April 2023 and please apply through the website:

Göteborgs universitet | Doctoral student in Natural Science, specialising in Biology (reachmee.com)

Postdoctoral Position: Refining fish experiments using analgesia

 Globally, millions of fishes are used in laboratories and they are the second most popular model used in regulated procedures in the European Union, with approximately 60,000 used in Sweden annually. While it is common to use anaesthesia during procedures that span the full range of severities including highly invasive surgery, analgesia (pain-relief) is not routinely provided, which is a welfare issue for fish used in research. The project aims to address a key question to improve the welfare of fish in research: how to refine invasive experiments by employing pain-relief?

This project will investigate:

• The impact of a range of pain-relieving drugs on both larval and adult fish to identify which drugs, and at what doses, are effective in providing pain-relief.
• Which drugs prevent pain-related behavioural and physiological responses.
• The effects of these drugs on data collection to assess any confounding effects.
• Pharmacokinetics will assist in determining when to re-administer analgesia and help provide pain management protocols.

This project is a crucial step in refining experiments using fish on a global scale. Employing analgesia during invasive techniques represents a major step forward in improving experimental fish welfare as well as potentially reducing the severity of a large number of procedures.

Deadline 24^th April 2023. Please apply through the website:

Göteborgs universitet | Postdoctor in Natural Science, specialising in Animal Biology (reachmee.com)

Shark Bay Dolphin Research Project - Aug-Dec 2023 Research Assistant Opportunity for Recent Post-baccalaureates

 Application:  https://forms.gle/9vHGtYgrXs3csAZG6

Eligibility: graduating Seniors (2023 grads) or recent post-baccalaureates

Background:

The Shark Bay Dolphin Research Project (SBDRP) is seeking several dedicated research assistants for the upcoming field season (late July/early August through mid-December 2023) in Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia. The SBDRP is a long-term research project run in collaboration between Georgetown University and the University of Queensland, and is one of the longest running marine mammal research projects in the world. The SBDRP has been collecting behavioral, life-history, ecological, and genetic data on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins since the mid 1980s. This field season will focus on continuing our research on maternal investment and social learning, in addition to our routine long-term population monitoring efforts. If you are interested in working for the lab long-term, particularly if you are interested in graduate research at Georgetown with Dr. Janet Mann please clearly indicate this in your interest statement. 

Field work is demanding and requires long hours both on and off the water, but the dolphin research is both fun and rewarding. Field assistants will gain valuable research experience and may have the opportunity to contribute to co-authored publications. We particularly encourage applications from those interested in pursuing graduate school in behavioral ecology or marine mammalogy.

Timeframe:

~5 months

Field site:

Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia.

Monkey Mia is approximately 850 km north of Perth and is part of the largest World Heritage site in Western Australia. Our field site is beautiful, and includes incredible wildlife such as sharks, rays, turtles, dugongs, whales, and of course, resident bottlenose dolphins. Monkey Mia is remote, but we do have amenities including electricity and running water, reliable cell phone service, and limited internet. Housing will be provided, and the research team will share cooking responsibilities in a communal kitchen and other domestic chores.

Job responsibilities:

Research assistants will help collect extensive behavioral data from the boat, including surveys and focal follows on individual dolphins. Boat work is dependent on weather, but even on windy days we need to be ready to pack up and quickly get out on the water if the wind drops. Days on the water can be consecutive, long, and tiring in variable environmental conditions. Days on land require extensive, and tedious, data entry and processing. If you are interested in an independent research project, we will work with you to develop one. It may be helpful to review our recent publications to get a feel for our lab's work.

Most of your time will be spent:

-Searching for and spotting dolphins

-Photographing dolphins

-Driving the boat

-Scribing data during surveys and focal follows

-Entering dolphin sightings and environmental data into the computer

-Doing basic maintenance and equipment prep and cleaning

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be a graduating senior or post-baccalaureate with a science background and a genuine interest in marine mammal science and behavior. This position is well suited for students of marine biology, animal behavior, zoology, ecology, genetics, or similar fields looking to gain additional analytical and in-field experience. Applicants must be able to work closely with a small team (3-6 people). We not only work together, but also live, cook, and eat together, so maturity, sense of humor, a positive attitude and a collaborative nature are critical.

The candidate must:

-Possess basic computer skills

-Be detail oriented, flexible, level headed, and patient

-Possess excellent verbal and communication skills

-Work well both independently and in a team

-Be fluent in English

-Be comfortable on a boat and working in a remote location

-Be prepared to work long, consecutive days, including weekends

The most essential qualifications are that you are flexible, conscientious, and hard-working, and are excited about the research.

Salary:

This is a paid position. All travel and living expenses (flights, visas, housing and food) will also be covered by the project. We particularly want to encourage candidates from groups that are underrepresented in STEM fields to apply.

If interested, please apply through our google form:

https://forms.gle/9vHGtYgrXs3csAZG6

 

The form will be open from March 20^th-27^th 2023 and will close at 11:59pm EST on the 27^th. Any questions can be directed to mem505@georgetown.edu.

Space use in Salmonids - Field Internship/Volunteering

 Space use in salmonids – Field internship/volunteering position Hosting structure: Department of Aquaculture & fish Biology, Hólar University - Iceland Dates: June/July 2023 to August/September 2023 – 2 to 4 months internship/volunteer position Context of the study: Territoriality, foraging mode and social interactions are all parts of animals’ space use. Territoriality is often described as an area with resources such as food or shelter defended by an individual. However, individuals display great within-population variability, which drives the establishment of a social hierarchy with dominants and subordinates. This leads to unequal access to resources such as food, shelter, or mates and eventually influences the population distribution. However, this social organisation is not permanent and could be affected by parameters such as predation risk, food abundance and distribution, or modification of the environmental conditions. Stream fish, particularly salmonids, are known to be highly variable in their behaviour among individuals, populations, and species. This project aims to repeatedly estimate space use patterns (territory size, foraging mode, spatial organisation) for the three salmonids native to Icelandic streams: Arctic charr, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Specifically, we will conduct field experiments to estimate how these space use patterns, and their individual repeatability, vary between (i) related species, (ii) day and night and (iii) under different environmental conditions. The research project involves a collaboration between Dr. Stefan O. Steingrimsson, Dr. Camille Leblanc, Dr. David Benhaim at Holar University, Dr. James W.A. Grant at Concordia University in Montréal, Canada, Dr. Laura K. Weir at St. Mary´s University, in Halifax, Canada and Dr. Arnar Plason at University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. Student project: The student/volunteer’s task will be to collect data regarding space use via snorkeling or direct observation from the riverbank and to measure the habitat used by the fish and the available habitat in each section. The student will collaborate closely with a PhD student, Gabrielle Laduree. Organizational details: The working language is English. Accommodation is around 68.000ISK (around 450€) per month in a shared house and is at the student’s charge. Commuting between the lab and the accommodation place will be at the lab's charge, and meals during fieldwork are at the project charge. The student will also have free access to the University gym, pool, hot pot and cold pot. Hólar also provides wonderful sceneries for hiking in the mountains and the forest. This internship is not gratified, but Iceland is eligible for Erasmus+ grants. Requirements: The candidates must be enrolled in a degree in the fields of neurosciences, behavioral ecology, ethology, or relevant equivalent fields. A valid driving license is a requirement. Application: Applicants should send an application letter and CV as a single pdf to Gabrielle Laduree (gabrielle@holar.is). Requests for further information can be sent to the same email address

offre de stage bien-être poulet

 

CNPRC UC Davis Project Scientist

 UC Davis, California National Primate Research Center has an immediate full-time open position for a highly motivated and qualified Project Scientist (NONHUMAN PRIMATE ASSISTED REPRODUCTION).

The posting can be found at:

https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05520

*Search for Job ID: 05520

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The Project Scientist will make significant and creative contributions to research projects related to embryonic development and models of neurodevelopmental disorders. The appointee will possess a background in embryology and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency in this and related fields of scientific endeavor. He/she will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by Dr. Catherine Vandevoort.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

I. RESEARCH IN NONHUMAN PRIMATE ASSISTED REPRODUCTION ( 90% EFFORT)

Research activity (70 %)

This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of nonhuman primate (NHP) assisted reproduction, including general primate reproductive physiology, oocyte/embryo injection and CRSPR-Cas9 techniques and embryo culture for production of gene-edited NHP embryos and offspring. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator (PI). He/she will design specific projects and experiments, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques, to advance the production of gene-edited embryos. The candidate will determine male and female NHP fertility evaluation, assist with ovarian follicle and various reproductive tract sample collections, perform oocyte/embryo injection and embryo culture and evaluations. He/she will assist in the development of guide RNAs for CRSPR-Cas9 editing. The candidate will assist in supervision and guidance of technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research and will collaborate with the PI in all aspects of the research, including methods development, trouble-shooting problems, data collection, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments.

Publication (10 %)

The candidate will publish research results in peer-reviewed journals, books and other outlets either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team. He/she will participate in all aspects of preparing papers for publication and make independent contributions to publications as required, which may include experimental design, acquisition, analysis, and/or interpretation of data, drafting and/or critically revising the paper for intellectual content and approval of the version to be submitted for publication.

Grant Acquisition and Management (15 %)

The candidate will assist in the preparation and submission of grant proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. Work on grant applications may include providing preliminary data, preparation of figures, and drafting of specific sections based on the candidate’s expertise. The candidate will work independently and/or assist the PI in the preparation of progress reports as required by granting agencies. The candidate will prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed for applications and progress reports.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY ( 5 % EFFORT)

The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to assisted reproduction/gene editing and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups.

When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.
 This position is within the Compliance, Education, & Training Unit (CETU) of the Division of Primate Services.

Employee is required to work with animals (nonhuman primates) that are either naturally or experimentally infected with potentially hazardous infectious agents such as COVID-19 (SARS-CO2), HIV, SIV, Herpes B, ZIKA, influenza, Chikungunya Virus, and Measles. The emphasis is training employees in the areas of safety, the wear and use of protective clothing, aseptic/sterile techniques, good laboratory practices, and infectious control.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications(required at time of application)

PhD in Biological Sciences or Animal Science

Additional qualifications(required at time of start)

The candidate should have strong collaboration, communication, and organizational skills and dedication to promoting teamwork in a diverse multidisciplinary environment and supporting the research activities of the PIs and the research team. Employee will be supervised directly by PI Dr. VandeVoort and will be communicating and interacting with a multidisciplinary team of investigators and scientist. Self-guidance in details of assigned tasks is expected.

Preferred Qualifications

Hands-on lab experience in embryology and gene editing with nonhuman primates and/or other biohazardous species.

If you are interested in this job opportunity, we would like to invite you to visit our careers site to complete your application for Project Scientist - Job ID: 05520

DIRECTIONS:

1. Select the link below to access our careers site at UC Davis.

2. Sign In to access your account or if you are not an existing user select the New User link to create one.

3. Review the job description and select the Apply button to begin your application.

https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05520

three international field research fellowship

 About the project (https://bondiv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BonDiv-Fellows-Description_202303.pdf): 

The BonDiv project (www.bondiv.org) is accepting applications for 3 international research fellowships located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The BonDiv project is a large-scale collaborative research project that aims to investigate and document bonobo intraspecific diversity, allowing for simultaneous study of multiple sympatric species. While current plans are for up to 5 sites, the project aims to expand up to 30 sites within the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Research sites are located in exceptionally remote regions, with no (or very little) internet connection (but with access to a satellite communicator). 

Each site will accept two people with complementary expertise: a Congolese person with expertise in working remotely within the local culture and an international research Fellow with relevant scientific knowledge. The fellowship appointment will have a duration of approximately 16 months. It will begin with a training workshop in Kinshasa, DRC, in June 2023, followed by 13 continuous months at the respective field site, and finalized with data management and a second workshop in Kinshasa. We encourage all fellowship candidates to familiarize themselves with their country’s travel advisories before applying. Be advised, that all activities will fall within the geographic range of the bonobo, comprising the provinces of  Tshuapa, Tshopo, Mai-Ndombe, Equateur, and Maniema. Apply only if you are sure that you would accept the fellowship.

About the Fellows: 

Under the mentorship of local experts and the PIs Martin Surbeck, Erin Wessling, and Hjalmar Kuehl, each fellow will benefit from gaining valuable fieldwork and applied conservation experience, including data and sample collection that will contribute to the scientific understanding of the bonobo ecology including food availability, prey species, other sympatric wildlife, climate, and the relevance of human impact. Other learning opportunities will include the conducting of social surveys and the collection of a multitude of organic samples to support genetic, pathogen, diet, metabolomics, and isotope analyses of the bonobo ecosystem.  

In order to standardize the methods of camera trap data collection, Fellows will be receiving training to refresh knowledge and gain first-hand experience with the installation of remote video cameras and subsequent regular revisits for maintenance and data download. Building upon the skills acquired and refreshed in the workshop, the fellow will then practice data collection, data entry, sample storage, and monthly reporting of progress and results in the field.  

Along with the first-hand research data collection and analysis, fellows will also gain experience with other aspects of project management including hiring field assistants and reporting back to the PIs and the coordinator on budgetary and fieldwork status updates. 

Those individuals who would be the best fit for the fellowship may have a combination of the  attributes below: 

• undergraduate degree in biology or a related field 

• conversational competency in French and English

• 6 + months of fieldwork experience, preferably in remote areas of the tropics 

•  to be proficient with email communication, MS Excel, and Word 

• good interpersonal and communication skills  

• experience working with an international team 

• communicate clearly and regularly via remote connections with coordinator/directors 

• comfortable to live and work in a context and culture potentially significantly different than your own 

• willing and able to live away from developed areas, isolated and with minimal living conditions (no plumbing, electricity, or housing) in extremely remote locations

• experience with GPS, camera traps, and biological sample collection  

• proficiency with Cybertracker, QGIS, BaseCamp/MapSource  

Expectations of conduct for Fellows: - respectful to members of local communities and wildlife - honest and accountable communication with project management - no drug use (including alcohol) allowed in camp or during working hours - sexual and/or gender-based harassment of any type will not be tolerated - failure of any of these points will be grounds for immediate dismissal at your own expense. 

About the Fellowship: 

This fellowship will offer: 

• unique opportunity to gain field experience in the central African rainforest with the  world’s least-known ape species 

• fellows will receive rigorous training and gain proficiency in diverse research and scientific  methods relevant to careers in applied conservation and ecological research  

• all expenses covered, including visa, roundtrip flights to Kinshasa (DRC), transport to/from  the site, and lodging and food during the project 

• all necessary equipment to perform diverse sets of research 

• scientific contribution recognized in publications using samples or data that fellows collected 

• $450 monthly per diem to cover incidentals  

The following will be the responsibility of the Fellow: 

• health insurance that covers emergency repatriation and liability, including COVID-related  illness 

• vaccinations required for entry into DRC prior to departure, and any medications  recommended for remote field work, including malaria prophylaxis 

• clothes, shoes, and personal field equipment (a suggested list of these items will be  provided) 

Applications should be submitted as soon as possible, including a CV, letter of interest highlighting qualifications/experience, and the names and emails of three references to info@bondiv.org with ‘Field fellowship’ in the subject line. Interviews will be conducted via zoom.

PhD Project: parent-offspring conflict in fallow deer

 DEADLINE EXTENDED: new deadline Friday 24th of March

2. Investigating the effect of parent-offspring conflict on social organisation, growth and stress in free-ranging fallow deer fawns

Supervisor: Dr Domhnall Jennings (D.Jennings[AT]qub.ac.uk)

Summary: 

While parents and offspring co-operate to ensure offspring survival, they also disagree on the amounts of resources (food, shelter, protection from predation) that parents should provide. This disparity drives conflict between parental resource allocation versus offspring demands. However, little is known about how the intensity of this conflict varies among individual parents and why; whether and the extent to which offspring differ in their response to this conflict, and the strategies they use to mitigate any negative effects of low parental investment; how this conflict affects offspring growth and survival. 

This project investigates how, at the behavioural level, maternal investment and the conflict over parental investment influences offspring growth and survival in fallow deer. Thus, it focuses directly on individual fitness from the perspective of the parent in terms of prior, and current versus future reproduction, while also focusing on the offspring as it attempts to mitigate any deleterious effects of low or variable parental investment.  

For further information: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/investigating-the-effect-of-parent-offspring-conflict-on-social-organisation-growth-and-stress-in-free-ranging-fallow-deer-fawns/?p155178

New Post-doc position in animal migration ecology

 We are a research campus with a strong tradition in biosciences focused on complex ecological, evolutionary & developmental aspects of LIFE. Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Post-doctoral Researcher in Animal Migration Ecology 2 The newly established research group Global Life-history, Ornithology & Behavioural Ecology (GLOBE) – https://GLOBEresearchgroup.com new webpages will be launched soon – focuses on ecology, behaviour, life-history strategies and population dynamics of wild animals, particularly birds, including impacts and consequences of recent environmental changes. The GLOBE research group is led by Dr Vojtěch Kubelka from Department of Zoology and Centre for Polar Ecology at the Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia in the Czech republic and has been recently awarded a prestigious Junior Star GAČR grant: Animal migrations in a changing world – Movements for reproduction to higher latitudes: still advantageous strategy or maladaptive behaviour? for years 2023–2027. We seek to appoint an early career scientist as post-doctoral researcher to contribute to this new project. What would be your main responsibilities • Organize and conduct ornithological field work at selected study sites across Western Palearctic and South America in association with international collaborators • Combine experimental and observational fieldwork with a comparative approach based on extracting relevant information from published literature • Coordinate data collection and analyses, working with large datasets in relational databases • Prepare and write manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals • Lead or participate in funding applications for research in collaboration with team members • Supervise students and research assistants • Participate in conservation activities • Present and promote the results at conferences and seminars • Disseminate the project outputs to stakeholders and public, • Carry out other scientific and/or academic activities that are important for the success of the project What we offer • A two-year position with the possibility of extension based on good performance • Excellent instruments, equipment and multiple research platforms within the Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic • Access to the Czech Arctic research station at Svalbard and fieldwork at study sites along latitudinal gradients from Morocco to Arctic and from tropical Brazil to Patagonia • Extensive international networking and mentoring opportunities via the ÉLVONAL Shorebird Science project (https://elvonalshorebirds.com/home/) • Full logistical support for own follow-up research funding applications • English speaking, stimulating & friendly international research environment • HR Award certificate, jcu.cz/about-the-university/development/hr-award-hrs4r • Professional administration support and assistance with all personal, economic, legal, project, IT, intellectual property needs, flexible working time • Competitive salary + possible bonuses, 5 weeks of paid vacation per year • Meals allowance, special mobile services, university kindergarten • Work-life balance in a historical middle-sized university city, budejce.cz/en/ 3 Competitive candidates are expected to have • PhD in evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, zoology, or relevant field of life sciences • A foundation of knowledge in two or more fields: evolutionary ecology, climate change biology, demography and population dynamics, predator-prey interactions and animal migration • Experience in conducting or supervising international research projects • 3+ years hands-on experience in field research, with preference for experience with fieldwork in tropical or Arctic locations • Ornithological fieldwork experience including bird handling and ringing (bird ringing licence is welcomed but not necessary) • Good skills in statistical modelling, advanced level in using R • Strong record of success conducting research and scholarly activities, including publications in peer-reviewed journals • Experience working with analysis and presentation of large data sets • Demonstrated project management experience and leadership skills • Budgetary and general administrative skills • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate within a team-based environment, ability to work effectively both in a team and independently • Valid driving licence Representative publications of our research Kubelka V., Šálek M., Tomkovich P., Végvári Z., Freckleton R. P. & Székely T. 2018: Global pattern of nest predation is disrupted by climate change in shorebirds. Science 362: 680–683. Zámečník V., Kubelka V. & Šálek M. 2018: Visible marking of wader nests to avoid damage by farmers does not increase nest predation. Bird Conservation International 28: 293–301. Kubelka V., Sládeček M. & Šálek M. 2019: Great variability in nest lining size: support for thermoregulation but not for anti-predatory adaptation hypothesis. Journal of Ornithology 160: 993–1002. Engel N. C., Végvári Z., Rice R., Kubelka V. & Székely T. 2020: Incubating parents serve as visual cues to predators in Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus). PLOS ONE 15(7): e0236489. Halimubieke N., Kupán K., Valdebenito J. O., Kubelka V., other 19 authors, & Székely T. 2020: Successful breeding predict divorce in plovers. Scientific Reports 10: 15576 (1–13). Koleček J., Reif J., Šálek M., Hanzelka J., Sottas C. & Kubelka V. 2021: Global population trends in shorebirds: migratory behaviour makes species at risk. The Science of Nature 108: 9(1–8). Kubelka V., Sandercock B., Székely T. & Freckleton R. P. 2022: Animal migration to northern latitudes: environmental changes and increasing threats. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 37: 30–41. 4 Application Interested candidates should contact Vojtěch Kubelka (vkubelka@prf.jcu.cz). Applications should include: i) letter of interest (max 2 pages) – describing how their qualifications address the terms of the position as well as explaining their motivation; curriculum vitae (max 4 pages) – including education, relevant research experience and major achievements; iii) contact information for at least three references. Three documents in English should be sent to Vojtěch Kubelka before the deadline. Deadline for applications: 15 March 2023 Position start: Start dates are negotiable but could be as early as April–May 2023. Location description České Budějovice is a vibrant medium-sized city and centre of South Bohemian region with an international university community. The University of South Bohemia is the biggest higher education institution in the region with more than 9,000 students, numerous leading departments in natural sciences and field research stations at Svalbard or Papua New Guinea. Five institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences are situated on the same campus, forming the Biological Centre and representing outstanding cooperation opportunities. The surrounding of České Budějovice has diverse natural and cultural landscapes, including Šumava National Park, two UNESCO biosphere reserves and numerous protected areas with impressive wildlife

Volunteer Research Assistant – Loango Gorilla Project, Gabon

 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, 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 (about 17 people) 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 that include repatriation (included as part of the stipend), 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 Covid-19, 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 sometime between June 1 and September 1, 2023.

Application Deadline:
April 5, 2023

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 April 5th; If you do not hear from me by May 1, 2023, assume that you are not being considered for the position. Please do not send repeated letters of inquiry or telephone calls. Applications will be reviewed as they come in, so it isn’t the best idea to wait until the last minute to apply.

Contact Information:
Martha Robbins (robbins@ eva.mpg.de)
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Deutscher Platz 6
Leipzig 04013
Germany