VETERINARY POSITIONS WITH WILD APES

[Christina Kompo]

 

 

VETERINARY POSITIONS WITH WILD APES

We are looking for a veterinarian / pathologists / biologists, with a strong interest in animal pathology, wildlife health and animal behaviour, for the following position:

 

Veterinary Assistant positions (1 year fix term) on a voluntary basis with the Evolution of Brain Connectivity Project at the Loango Chimpanzee Project in Gabon. If the candidate is interested, she/he can use the year to develop a PhD research project (pending funding), in collaboration with the new Helmholtz-Institute for One Health.

 

Further information see:

Evolution of Brain Connectivity Project: www.taichimps.org

Loango Chimpanzee Project: www.ozouga.org

The Leendertz Lab: www.leendertz-lab.org

 

The veterinary assistant position is part of a larger interdisciplinary project investigating the evolution of brain connectivity (EBC) in hominoids. EBC seeks further understanding of the brains of chimpanzees and other non-human primates, especially the communication, tool use and social cognition pathways. Using the comparative approach and our understanding of chimpanzee and monkey behavior, results will assist our understanding of the evolution of structures and functions of the human brain.

 

Responsibilities:
· Necropsies of deceased wild animals with a strong focus on primates (mostly apes) including brain extraction, fixation, storage and shipment to Europe.
· Health surveillance on apes and other primates, following injured and ill individuals, collection of fecal and urine samples for pathogen analysis.
· Focal following of habituated chimpanzees and potentially gorillas including the collection of behavioural data.

Qualifications and Requirements
The living conditions at the Loango Chimpanzee project are basic. The camp has only basic amenities (no running water, only minimal solar power for electricity). Hence, the field work requires good physical condition and stress resilience, the ability to work independently, and good social and communication skills to work and live with a small team of local and international members in a secluded location. Good oral French and English language skills are required. A veterinary degree, a degree in animal pathology or biology with a focus on pathology is conditional.
A preparation course in the protocols of the brain project and necropsy procedures will be given at the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin (during a course of 1 – 2 weeks prior to departure in the field).

 
Salary and Funding
The Veterinary Assistant position is a voluntary position. To cover expenses related to the stay (insurances, working cloths, living expenses when away from the field site, etc.) we pay a bulk sum of 300 € / months. Accommodation and food in the field site are covered. Flight, visa and permit costs are reimbursed after finishing the tenure of 12 months.

Start and Term of Appointments
Beginning of November 2021 for the tenure of 12 months.

Comments
Applications including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and e-mail addresses of two referees should be sent electronically to taichim...@eva.mpg.de.

Application deadline is 15 September 2021 or until position is filled thereafter. Interviews will be held by the end of September 2021.
Contact Information
Roman Wittig (wit...@eva.mpg.de), Tobias Deschner (desc...@eva.mpg.de), Fabian Leendertz (Leend...@rki.de)