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from the dept. PROJECT DESCRIPTION I am seeking volunteers to assist with data collection for my dissertation project on social behavior and stress in female chacma baboons in the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. The project will study variation in social behavior and stress levels of females, and will also look at the impact of commensalism on female baboons. Assistants will be responsible for collecting behavioral data on social behavior, reproductive and demographic parameters, as well as collecting fecal samples for hormonal analysis from multiple social groups. Assistant will spend 2-4 weeks upon arrival learning to identify individual members of the study troops and learning data collection methods.This is not a remote field site. It is close to the city of Cape Town, with access to all the distractions of city life. However, the work is demanding. Assistant must be committed to working on a schedule (6 days a week) without getting distracted by life in a new and foreign country. A regular workday is at least 12 hours long, and requires a lot of walking and possibly some climbing. Data are collected regardless of weather conditions, which is highly variable. Applicant must be able to withstand working in both hot, dry conditions (summer temperatures can climb to 35 Celsius) and cold, rainy conditions. QUALIFICATIONS Applicant should have or at least be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, biological anthropology, primatology, or animal behavior. Previous fieldwork experience is a plus, as is previous travel in a developing country. Applicant should be someone who enjoys rugged conditions, spending a lot of time outdoors, and working with animals. Applicant must be mature and able to deal with different types of people from foreign cultures. Must be in good physical and mental health as the work can be very demanding as well as socially isolating. Applicant should also be comfortable with the idea of being away from family and friends for an extended period of time without necessarily having regular contact.Looking for someone who is dedicated, persistent, flexible, mature, reliable, independent, energetic, and has a good humor to deal with the unpredictability of fieldwork.A minimum commitment of 6 months is required. Can start anytime from August 2009. Project will continue until January 2011. FUNDING This is a volunteer position, so no salary is available. Assistant will be responsible for all aspects of expenses related to the trip and the stay in South Africa. Monthly expenses will run about $500, including $200 for shared housing and $300 for food. CONTACT INFORMATION Please submit via e-mail a letter of interest, describing your background and experience and indicating why you are interested in this position. Include your dates of availability in this letter. Please also submit a CV including relevant coursework and grades as well as prior field and/or research experience. Supply contact information for two references, preferably professors or research supervisors with whom you have worked closely.All inquiries should be sent to Shahrina Chowdhury at shahrinac@yahoo.com.Website http://www.baboonsonline.org/bru < Postdoctoral Position in Insect Cognition | Insect behavior / Ecology (Grasshopper / Ant) >
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Volunteer Field Assistant for Chacma Baboon Project in South Africa
