Kokolopori Bonobo Research Project (KBRP) is accepting applications for a 12 month applied conservation fellowship located in the Democratic Republic of Congo to begin early August 2023.
About the project:
KBRP was established in 2016 in collaboration with local NGO (Vie Sauvage), the Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI) and the Congolese Ministry of Research. The research camp is situated approximately 4 km from the nearest village in the Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve, a community-based nature reserve officially established by the Congolese government in May 2009. A team of international researchers and local trackers follow the bonobos of three habituated communities daily, collecting behavioural, ecological and epidemiological data. KBRP supports the local communities in their efforts to construct schools and educate their children
The fellowship appointment will have a duration of 12 months. 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 of Tshuapa province.
About the Fellows:
Under the mentorship of PI Martin Surbeck, the fellow will benefit from gaining valuable fieldwork and applied conservation experience, including coordinating 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. Along with experience coordinating the data/sample collection, fellows will also gain experience with other aspects of project management including hiring field assistants and reporting back to the PI and 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
● 6 + months of fieldwork experience, preferably in remote areas of the tropics
● conversational competency in French and English
● 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
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 work closely with the mentor and gain proficiency in diverse research and scientific methods and project oversight relevant for 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
● $500 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