mardi 16 février 2010

Field Assistant - Chimpanzee research

Hiring Organization:
University of St Andrews

Date Posted:
2010-02-11

Position Description:
A research assistant position is available in the Budongo forest, Uganda, to work with an unhabituated population of chimpanzees.

The job will consist in studying this population using two methods:

- observational:
with the help of a field assistant provided by BCFS (www.budongo.org), the volunteer will track the chimpanzees in the forest and determine their feeding habits, so as to compare it with a neighbouring habituated community.

- experimental:
the volunteer will implement an experimental study in the site aiming at discovering the tool use abilities of these chimpanzees, so as to compare them with the neighbouring communities. The study will be conducted with the help of a remote controlled camera.

Qualifications/Experience:
No particular qualification is asked for. However, good health condition is required (following for the chimpanzees in the forest is demanding and can easily a represent a consequent distance per day).

Two letters of recommendation in support of the candidate are required.

Salary/funding:
No salary/funding is available.
Additionally, camp fees (300£/month) are at the volunteer's charge.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
The student will be housed at Budongo Conservation Field Station.
Meals are at the volunteer's expense, shared with other researchers on site (70$/month).
Travel to and from the camp are at the volunteer's expense. However the project car is frequently going to and from camp and arrangement can be made.

Term of Appointment:
a minimum of 3 months, between March and September 2010

Application Deadline:
1st June 2010

Contact Information:
Thibaud Gruber
United Kingdom

E-mail Address:
thibaud.gruber@googlemail.com