Volunteer Primate Research
Assistants: Primate and Predator Project in South Africa
The Primate &
Predator Project based within the Soutpansberg Mountains of South Africa is
playing a critical role in the research and conservation of the local wildlife.
We are looking for a hands-on and passionate research assistant to join our team
to help support our research in primate behaviour. The project provides a
fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to behavioural ecology, working with a
range of experienced professionals from around the world. You will be working closely
with primates whilst developing a range of research skills and could be a
perfect stepping stone for your future career in conservation.
The Primate &
Predator Project
Our project objective is to examine the behavioural ecology
of predator-prey interactions focussing on diurnal primates and their predators
as a model system. This research plays a
critical role in preserving local biodiversity. The project operates in
conjunction with Durham University and you will have the opportunity to work
closely with a dynamic group of primate and predator specialists.
Our research centre offers a unique opportunity to interact
with all five species of South African primate: chacma baboon (Papio ursinus), vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), samango monkey (Cercopithecus mitis erythrarchcus),
thick-tailed bushbaby (Otolemur
crassicaudatus) and southern lesser bushbaby (Galago moholi).
The Lajuma Research
Centre
The camp is
located on the beautiful Soutpansberg Mountains in Limpopo province, South
Africa. The mountains provide a unique ecosystem and as such attract a range of
scientist studying the local ecology.
The Centre is in
a rural location so there is housing available onsite. The accommodation is equipped with hot showers, flush toilets, a gas
stove, fridge, tapped water, washing machine, solar power, firewood and
electricity (220V). These are often shared rooms with other assistants. As the
camp is in an isolated location, volunteers may join the town trip to Louis
Trichardt (Makhado) once a fortnight for shopping, visits to an internet café,
landline phone calls, etc.
Your Key Activities
The majority of your time will
involve working with samango and vervet monkeys. You will spend lots of time
out in the field, alongside an experienced and passionate team of field
biologists, and it’s likely that you’ll be involved in tasks such as;
1.
Behavioural observations of habituated primates through full day follows and
collection of standardized behavioural and demographic data from our study
troops.
2.
Experimental titrations of predation risk based on giving-up densities or
predator detection experiments using predator models.
3.
Habituation of new groups, sometimes tracking via VHF receivers to maintain
contact.
4.
Monitoring of primate groups via GPS collars - you may play an important role
in setting and monitoring traps, tracking via VHF receivers, data download, and
collar retrieval.
5.
Phenological transects and vegetation plots to estimate primate food
availability.
6. General
data entry.
7.
Assisting PhD students based at PPP with their data collection as required.
8.
Volunteers may also have the opportunity to work on the predator element of the
project and engage in camera trapping.
As a busy research centre, it is likely that these activities will vary and we hope you will want to get involved in a variety of other projects during your time with us. We will also help you develop your skills and experience, so if you have any specific interests in particular techniques or aspects of our research, we will try to accommodate these
What we are looking for:
Everyone at Lajuma is passionate about the
work that they are doing so we are looking for someone who is excited to make
an active contribution to the project. We are open to your background, what is
most important is that you are passionate about conservation. There are a few
qualities that will make you more relevant for the programme:
1. A background in biology/zoology/ecology or related field and an
interest in the behaviour, ecology and conservation of primates and other
mammals would be preferred.
2. You’ll need to be physically fit as you will regularly
undertake walks in mountainous terrain, often in temperatures. You will need to
be able to comfortably cover 10-15km per day (often more) over rough and often
steep terrain and capable of carrying a day pack these distances while
collecting data. You will usually do this with another assistant but you’ll be
comfortable walking alone as well.
3. You should enjoy working as
part of a team, and be happy to
operate under the authority of field research coordinators.
4. You should be reliable, responsible and motivated
when it comes to following research protocols and methodologies. Due to the
nature of our work, you’ll need to work unsociable hours when needed and should
be happy to support other researchers in their work as necessary.
5. Relevant experience of the project’s field
techniques and of working in southern Africa is desirable but not essential.
Salary/funding:
This is a volunteer role so no salary is provided, however you will be exposed to a wide range of research techniques and therefore could be an integral stepping stone to your next role.
This is a volunteer role so no salary is provided, however you will be exposed to a wide range of research techniques and therefore could be an integral stepping stone to your next role.
You will need to cover your
own food and accommodation costs at the research station. Accommodation costs
are currently 4000 Rand a month. All research equipment will be provided.
Volunteer research assistants will also be responsible for their own airfare
and travel to South Africa and medical/travel insurance.
How to Apply:
We are looking for volunteers who are able to commit for a minimum of 6 months, although our preference is
for those who are available to stay for longer (12 months or more). Volunteers who
are able to contribute for longer periods could also have the opportunity to
take on extra responsibilities such as data analysis and publication where
appropriate.
Application Deadline:
To apply, please submit a CV and
covering letter to the project email address (primate.predator@durham.ac.uk).
Please use your cover letter to
explain why you are interested in working at Lajuma and to outline your
relevant experience or transferable skills. Please also include contact details
for two referees. Applications are welcome year round, with up to six vacancies
available per year.
Contact
Information:
Professor Russell Hill
Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Science Site
Durham DH1 3LE
United Kingdom
Professor Russell Hill
Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Science Site
Durham DH1 3LE
United Kingdom
Project related
websites
Durham University Primate and Predator Project http://community.dur.ac.uk/r.a.hill/primate_and_predator_project.htm
Lajuma Research Centre
http://www.lajuma.com
Mammal conservation in South Africa Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mammal-Conservation-in-South-Africa/168026853274442
Primate and Predator Project blog http://primateandpredatorproject.wordpress.com
You can find us on Twitter @PrimatePredator
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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