Join the Ozouga Chimpanzee Project Team!
Field Assistant Positions Available
The Ozouga Chimpanzee Project (https://www.ozouga.org/) is seeking a passionate and dedicated field assistant to join our team to help in collecting behavioural data on wild central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes). Together with an international and local team, the candidates will be responsible for the collection and management of research data, as well as for the day-to-day maintenance and running of the research site.
About Us
The Ozouga Chimpanzee Project is a research initiative committed to the conservation and study of chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Nestled in the Loango National Park, our project aims to unravel the complexities of chimpanzee behavior, social dynamics, and ecological interactions.
The Loango National Park is located along the Atlantic coast of Gabon and consists of several ecosystems including primary and secondary forests, coastal forests, swamps and mangroves. The Ozouga field sites is roughly 40 km from the nearest village, Iguela, on an open savannah surrounded by forest.
Living conditions are extremely basic. There is no running water, very limited phone coverage and internet access, and basic solar power for electricity. Team members live in wooden huts and food is mainly rice and other basic food items.
Position: Field Assistant
We are looking for an enthusiastic, disciplined, positive and patient person that is eager to spend a one-year period in observing and documenting the lives of the Rekambo chimpanzee community. This is a unique opportunity to gain field experience and contribute to cutting-edge research in one of the most beautiful African rainforests.
The work is physically and mentally demanding, with typical day consisting of approximately 10 hours walking in the forest, often through swamps, with an average of 10-15 km per day, including rain and sunshine. We conduct field work from dusk till dawn given the safety protocol in respect to forest elephants. Field assistants will always be accompanied by an experience eco-guides who will assure safety during work.
Responsibilities
As a field assistant, you will be responsible for:
· Following and observing chimpanzee groups daily in their natural habitat
· Record behavioral data, social interactions, and ecological observations
· Assist in the collection and storage of samples mostly for genetic and endocrinological studies
· Save and store behavioural data on electronic devices
· Monthly check of the camera traps placed in the research area
· Preliminary analyses of camera trap videos
· Collaborate with the research team to ensure the smooth operation of the project
Qualifications:
1. Bachelor's degree in biology, primatology, veterinary medicine, or related field (or equivalent experience)
2. Previous field experience with primates or other animal species in tropical or remote environments
3. Proficiency in written and spoken English; basic knowledge of French
4. Physical and mental fitness, ability to work in remote and ecologically challenging locations
5. Capacity to live and work collaboratively with an international and local team
6. Excellent communication skills with other team members, project manager and (remotely) with project directors
7. Excellent communication skills and motivation to manage multiple responsibilities
8. Demonstrate tolerance to customs and practices of local communities
Beneficial qualifications (please indicate these clearly in your application, if present):
(1) Experience with equipment such as GPS, video cameras and camera traps.
(2) Experience with animal behavioral observation and data collection
(3) Familiarity with sample collection and storage methods.
(4) Proficiency in MS Excel, Cybertracker, GIS, BaseCamp and/or MapSource4
(5) Experience driving a quad bike and a Jeep.
Support provided:
- Small monthly stipend and reimburse of expenses (see details below)
- Training for data collection and work in challenging environment
- Opportunity to gain in-depth field experience on chimpanzee behaviour
- Data collection equipment (waterproof phones, GPS and video cameras) and binoculars. We can also offer advice about what items are necessary for daily life in a tropical dry forest. However, the candidates will need to provide their own backpack, field clothing, and footwear.
Funding and Compensation:
This is a volunteer position, so there is no formal salary, but there is an extra monthly stipend of 200 EUR, in addition to 50 EUR for health insurance reimburse.
One round-trip airfare* from your home city to Libreville and living support while conducting fieldwork will be provided (e.g., travel, meals, lodging, visa* trips every 6 months).
The project will provide emergency travel health insurance, but the assistant needs to have their own basic healthcare plan.
The assistants will be responsible for covering expenses during vacations (3 weeks of vacation after 6 months’ time). Gabon requires specific vaccination against yellow fever to enter the country, but the assistant will be responsible for securing any recommended vaccinations by the Ozoga Chimpanzee Project to ensure safety of both chimpanzees and human observers.
* Reimbursement only after successful completion of a 12-month term of appointment
Term of Appointment:
Minimum 12 months starting in November 2026 (to be discussed at the interview stage). Possibility to extend stay with the project is available, pending performance.
How to Apply:
Please apply by sending a motivation letter, a CV (including your experience with behavioural data collection), and contact information for two references to Dr. Tobias Deschner (tdeschner@uni-osnabrueck.de) and Prof. Simone Pika (simone.pika@uni-osnabrueck.de). We will start evaluating the applications on September 21st, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
