Research Assistant - Gola Rainforest National Park
Christian Howell
Research Assistant Position Available
Research Assistant
An exciting opportunity has come up for a highly motivated Research Assistant to support research within Gola Rainforest National Park (GRNP), Sierra Leone. GRNP is managed by the RSPB, it is thought to be a stronghold for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Sierra Leone, and is one of the largest continuous forest blocks remaining in the country. Anthropogenic activity is forcing chimpanzees into closer proximity throughout West Africa and GRNP’s surrounding REDD (buffer) zone and agricultural areas have not been included in previous surveys. The successful candidate will assist with data collection to understand how chimpanzees utilise the landscape at GRNP and its resources, and how they respond to anthropogenic threats. The Research Assistant will further have the chance to collect their own data whilst working in the field for undergraduate, graduate, or personal research projects.
The project is established on site with work beginning in 2022 and is associated with the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, the Centre for Research in Anthropology, Portugal, and the University of Exeter, UK. As part of the current research project you will be working in the forest alongside students from local universities, local community guides, and professionals from NOVA and GRC-LG.
Key Activities
As a Research Assistant with this project you will be spending up to 2-3 weeks each month in the field conducting plot surveys to identify chimpanzee and human signs (nests, snares etc.); conduct phenology transects; check and deploy a network of camera traps; collect data regarding habitat composition via vegetation plots. Full training and protocols will be provided for all tasks. You will be responsible for leading a small team of 2-3 local assistants to complete the work on a daily basis, with full guidance provided before leaving camp.
The project will be split into days for recce transects and camera trap setup/monitoring, which could involve walking distances of 10-15km a day, and plot work once cameras are set up. Plot work will consist of establishing plots and recording vegetation metrics and chimpanzee and human signs in small plots located close to camera traps. A number of plots will need to be completed each day, but once in the area of a camera trap the team will complete plots in this one area, greatly reducing walking distances. The Research Assistant will be responsible for working with a GRC-LG staff member and local guide to complete project tasks. GRNP is home to many critically endangered species such as the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) and white-necked picathartes (Picathartes gymnocephalus), and this project will offer one of the best chances of seeing these creatures along with many others!
Accommodation in the field will be split between forest camps, forest-edge communities, and the Gola Rainforest Conservation Centre (GRCC). The centre has purpose built amenities for researchers – see details here https://golarainforest.org/conservation-center. An expedition hammock will be provided for camping (https://hennessyhammock.co.uk/products/expedition-asym-classic).
What we are looking for
The Research Assistant will need to have enthusiasm, a positive outlook towards their work, and be able to work well both under direction and independently, whilst also being able to create positive working relationships with people from different backgrounds and cultures. They will need to be comfortable staying in the forest overnight with the team, as well as possess exceptional physical and mental fitness to work in sometimes hot, wet, or otherwise demanding conditions. Previous experience of conducting recce surveys will be beneficial, as will experience with phenology and camera traps.
The position will last for 4 months from March - July 2025
Salary and costs
Your GRNP research fees, in country car travel, and costs whilst conducting all field work will be covered by the project.
When not completing fieldwork the project bases itself in Kenema, the closest large town. You will need to cover your own accommodation and food costs in Kenema. Living costs are roughly around £20-£30 per day, including accommodation and meals (the team will be here for roughly 1-2 weeks per month).
This is a volunteer role, unfortunately no salary is provided, however, you will be exposed to a range of research techniques and experiences, and therefore this could be an integral stepping stone to your next role. Furthermore, you will gain the opportunity to collect your own data for undergraduate, graduate, or personal research projects.
The Research Assistant will be responsible for their own airfare, in country travel not associated with the project, visas and medical/travel insurance. We can provide guidance as the team applies, if necessary.
How to apply
The project has a tentative start date of 02/03/25 (2nd March 2025) to travel to Sierra Leone. Depending on where the Research Assistant is travelling from, it may be possible to organise travel with some members of the project team. To apply for this position or for further details please contact Christian Howell at mrcph...@gmail.com. Please include a brief cover letter and CV. Please use your cover letter to explain why you are interested in this role, to outline your relevant experience or transferable skills, and to indicate your availability. Please also include contact details for two referees. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
For more information about the project you can visit the blog posts from fieldwork carried out on location in 2022 (https://primatehowell.wordpress.com/blog/), or check out @primatehowell on Instagram.
