mardi 11 janvier 2011

Volunteer field assistants needed for a chimpanzee habituation project in the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda

Hiring Organization:
Budongo Conservation Field Station and the University of St Andrews, Scotland
Date Posted:
2010-12-19
Position Description:
We are seeking volunteer field assistants to assist in the habituation of a new Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) group at the Budongo Conservation Field Station in Uganda. The Budongo Forest reserve covers an area of 482km2 in north-eastern Uganda bordering Lake Albert and the Murchison National Park, and has an estimated 580 chimpanzees.

The Budongo Conservation Field Station is a well-established and internationally renown research center located in a clearing approximately 3km inside the forest. The site has an existing habituated chimpanzee community that has been studied for over 20years, and we are aiming to expand the range of research by habituating a neighbouring community. For more information about the project and area please see the website: http://www.budongo.org and site weblog: http://budongo.wordpress.com

Chimpanzee habituation is a demanding job that involves long days and hard work in an isolated African rainforest environment, however it presents an excellent opportunity to gain genuine field experience for those hoping to go on into field research. As well as daily duties with the habituation project, all volunteers will have the opportunity to spend several days assisting with an ongoing research project with the habituated group.
Qualifications/Experience:
This job presents the ideal opportunity for individuals with a Bachelor’s or Masters degree who are hoping to go on into postgraduate research but require field-experience. Existing fieldwork experience is therefore not required, however successful applicants will have an excellent level of physical fitness and be able to work independently under isolated and demanding conditions in a hot and humid environment (the site has an established camp with basic sleeping, kitchen and shower facilities but overnight camping in the forest may also be necessary).
Salary/funding:
Position is on a volunteer basis and candidates will have to cover travel costs, camp fees and living expenses, however successful candidates can expect to gain an excellent grounding in field-research. All volunteers will be assigned a field-assistant to accompany them at all times while working in the forest reserve.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Please contact by email for further details
Term of Appointment:
We ask for a minimum commitment of 2-months, but stays of up to 4-months would be welcome.
Application Deadline:
ongoing
Comments:
Please contact by email, as we are based in Africa it may take up to 2-weeks to respond to initial enquiries. Please do not attach files to email queries unless requested to do so as our internet connection at camp does not always handle these well.
Contact Information:
Dr Catherine Hobaiter
School of Psychology, St Mary's College, University of St Andrews
St Andrews KY16 9JP
United Kingdom
E-mail Address:
clh42@st-andrews.ac.uk