Volunteer Position as Chimpanzee Research Assistant at OZOUGA Chimpanzee Project, Loango NP, Gabon
Olthoff F
Volunteer Opportunity: Chimpanzee Research Assistant
Role description
The Ozouga Chimpanzee Project (https://en.ozouga.org/) searches for a research assistant to help in collecting data for a new project on chimpanzees’ wound and medication behaviour at the Loango National Park, Gabon. Specifically, we are looking for a person to assist a PhD student in collecting data on a recently discovered behavior involving chimpanzees applying insects to open wounds of self and other group members (Mascaro et al., 2022). The position requires focal behavioral data and sample collection, starting in September 2022, for a one-year period.
The Loango National Park is located at the Atlantic coast of Gabon and consists of several ecosystems including secondary and coastal forests, swamps, and mangroves. The Ozouga field site is roughly 40km from the nearest village, Iguela, on an open savannah surrounded by forest.
Living conditions are extremely basic. There is no running water, very limited phone coverage and internet access, and basic solar power for electricity. Team members live in wooden huts and food is mainly rice and other basic food items.
The work is physically and mentally demanding, with typical days consisting of approximately 10 hours walking in the forest, often through swamps, with an average of 10-15 km per day, including rain and sunshine. We conduct field work from dusk till dawn given the safety protocol in respect to forest elephants.
Qualifications and experience:
We are looking for an enthusiastic, disciplined, positive and patient person, who is able to systematically collect, annotate, save and store behavioural data, specifically on wounded chimpanzees. The candidate is additionally expected to help with the collection of general behavioural (e.g. grooming, proximity) data and samples for genetic and endocrinological studies (e.g., urine and feces samples). Additional tasks include monthly camera trap rotations and phenology transects.
The applicant must have at least a BSc in biology, zoology, veterinary medicine, anthropology, or a related discipline. Previous field experience with primates or other animals in tropical remote environments is essential, and experience in behavioral data collection will be viewed as a great additional asset.
A minimum knowledge of French is required and written and spoken English is mandatory.
Other crucial requirements are: (1) the ability to work and live under harsh conditions in a remote area, (2) good level of physical fitness, (3) be resistant to physical and psychological stress, (4) strong social skill, (5) enjoy collaborative work, (6) high level of tolerance, (7) the ability to work in a multi-cultural setting, and (8) knowledge of basic equipment maintenance (e.g., computers, video cameras, GPS). Experience driving a quad bike would be a useful asset.
The successful candidate will be trained in the field by the PhD student and will receive specific instructions from the project directors.
Please note that the OCP adheres strictly to gender equality and will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment.
Requirements:
The applicant will be required to have:
· International health insurance that also covers emergency repatriation and a liability insurance covering damage, breakage, and loss of technical equipment.
· Vaccinations for measles, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, polio, and meningitis and a negative TB test.
Salary/Founding
150 Euros per month, plus 50 Euros for health insurance
Additionally, the OCP will provide:
· One round trip airfare to Gabon*, visas*, and transportation to study site
· Accommodation and basic equipment
· Three meals per day
* Reimbursement only after successful completion of a 12-month term of appointment
Application deadline
July 10th, 2022
Comments
Applications should include an up-to-date CV, a letter of motivation that shows how the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above and references from two professionals (or their contact information). Applications should be sent to Alessandra Mascaro (alessandr...@uni-osnabrueck.de), Dr. Tobias Deschner (tdes...@uni-osnabrueck.de) and to Prof. Simone Pika (simon...@uni-osnabrueck.de).
Contacts
Dr. Tobias Deschner
Ozouga e.V.
Email: tdes...@uni-osnabrueck.de
Prof. Dr. Simone Pika
Comparative BioCognition
Institute of Cognitive Science
University of Osnabrück, Germany
Email: simon...@uni-osnabrueck.de
Website