Orangutan Research Assistant
Cheryl Knott
Orangutan Research Assistant
Hiring Organization:
Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program
Position Description:
We are seeking motivated individuals for a minimum one-year (with a possible extension to two years) research assistant position studying wild orangutans in Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. This project is a long-term study led by Dr. Cheryl Knott of Boston University and is located in a remote area of primary tropical rain forest in Borneo. The project addresses a host of questions relating to the nutrition, reproduction, and social structure of these endangered great apes.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: assisting field staff with orangutan data collection; collecting and processing urine and fecal samples; processing and assisting in the identification of fruit samples and other orangutan foods; data entry and analysis; orangutan photography and videography; assisting with various daily camp functions and involvement with our conservation outreach program.
The position will provide volunteers with the opportunity to study orangutans in the wild and to gain valuable field research experience in one of the last remaining primary rainforests in Indonesia.
You will be expected to rotate your working area between the Cabang Panti Research Station and the Rangkong River Research Area. Applicants must be comfortable with camping in conditions with limited electricity and no cell phone service.
Qualifications/Experience:
Applicants should ideally have an anthropology or biology related undergraduate degree, a strong interest in primate ecology and behavior, previous rain forest experience, be physically fit, independent, resourceful, able to handle substantial responsibility and have lots of energy! You must be comfortable living in a remote (but stunning) setting with few amenities - we live in the middle of a rainforest so interpersonal skills are very important as you will be living and working in close proximity to other researchers and local assistants.
Fluency in English is essential and basic Indonesian is preferred. Cultural sensitivity is very important and volunteers must be ready to adapt to a wide variety of situations.
Salary/funding:
Applicants are expected to cover travel to the study location, including international and domestic flights, food and hotels, as well as research permit fees. We will provide housing in Ketapang (including WiFi) and cover living expenses (food and lodging) at the field site. Research Assistants are required to purchase their own personal equipment (i.e., binoculars, compass, clothing) as well as relevant vaccinations and malaria medication and to have health and travel insurance.
Term of Appointment:
1 year
The position would begin July 1, 2023 or later with exact start date flexible and dependent on research visa approval.
To Apply:
Position will be open until filled, interested applicants should email a CV, 2 letters of recommendation, and a two-page personal statement to savegpor...@gmail.com.
Websites: