Monday, June 15, 2020

RESEARCH ASSISTANT AT THE TAÏ CHIMPANZEE PROJECT (CÔTE D’IVOIRE)



VOLUNTEER POSITION
 RESEARCH ASSISTANT AT THE TAÏ CHIMPANZEE PROJECT (CÔTE D’IVOIRE)


We are offering 4 volunteer positions to collect long-term data for the Taï Chimpanzee Project in Côte d’Ivoire, starting September / October 2020 for 12 months.

(1)        Two long-term data volunteers East and South community
(2)        Long-term data volunteer North community including data cleaning in Cybertracker
(3)        Long-term data volunteer mangabeys including recordings of mangabey vocalizations


Each volunteer will be observing chimpanzees of one of our three habituated communities of wild chimpanzees or our group of wild sooty mangabeys. They will be trained to identify the chimpanzees / mangabeys, learn the behaviours, and their way around the forest. After the initial training they will work independently and collect behavioural observations (focal and ad lib data), as well as urine and fecal samples (for hormonal, bacteriological and virological analysis). The volunteers will collaborate closely with local field assistants and international students alike. They will be responsible for managing the long-term data collection for their respective community. In addition, at the end of their tenure they will be responsible to train their replacement.

Qualifications and Requirements:
The successful applicant will need to work independently in a remote and physically demanding habitat. Good social skills are needed to work and life amongst a group of international colleagues with different cultural backgrounds. The applicant needs to speak French and English. Previous experience in animal behaviour research, especially in data collection with Cybertracker and previous field work will be extremely beneficial. Volunteers need to show their interest in scientific research.

Salary / Funding:
Volunteers are self-funded. However, accommodation at the field site is provided and one airfare (Germany – Côte d’Ivoire – Germany, at a reasonable max.) as well as permit fees will be reimbursed after completed tenure. To cover current living costs, suitable clothing, health insurance and vaccinations, volunteers will receive a monthly fixed expense allowance of € 200.

Start and Term of Appointment:
September 2020 (for 12 months) or as quickly as possible thereafter


Comments:
Applications including a cover letter stating experience, detailed CV, and the names and emails of two referees should be sent electronically. Evaluation process starts March 1, 2020 and continues till all positions are filled.

Contact:
Roman Wittig (Director of the Taï Chimpanzee Project) Email: taichimpproject@eva.mpg.de

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Department of Primatology










photo 
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant

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