Primate Behavior Research Assistantship
Information FPI
Applications are open for limited spaces to join Field Projects International Primate Behavior & Monitoring summer research program in the Peruvian Amazon. Join a 12-year behavioral and mark-recapture study of three Neotropical primate species.
These positions will provide incumbents with invaluable experience in conducting primate field work, and may also coincide with opportunities to assist primate capture-release. Team members will operate in pairs, following primate groups off-trail. The habitat is variable, broadly consisting of terra firme and varzea habitat. Within these areas are palm swamps, oxbow lakes, bamboo patches, primary and secondary growth forest. The field site is privately protected lowland Amazonian rainforest, contiguous with a 300K hectare conservation concession.
Primate Handling:
- Conduct a primate handling session including sample collection, morphometric data collection, monitoring of animals under anesthesia, and safe release
- Appropriately restrain and handle wild primates with proper technique and PPE
- Record data on animal weight, TPRs (temperature, pulse and respiration), injuries, dentition, and much more.
- Collect biological samples such as feces, urine, hair and blood from each animal
- Construct and organize animal processing kits and in-situ animal processing tents
- Determine sex and appropriate age of individuals by morphological characters
- Comfortably and safely work and move on and off trail systems in a Neotropical rainforest setting.
- Identify tamarin species by sight and sound.
- Conduct full-day behavioral follows of wild primates using focal, scan, and ad-libitum data sampling methods.
- Use radio telemetry equipment to locate tagged individuals and groups.
- Opportunistic collection of fecal and urine samples, including preservation technique.
- Mark feeding trees and collect fruit samples.
- Clean-up and maintain multiple data types in an organized way for subsequent analyses, including:
- Spatial data
- Habitat data
- Behavioral data
- Biological sample metadata.
Quick Facts:
2023 Start Dates: May 29, June 12, July 3
Minimum Commitment: 5 weeks
Location: Los Amigos Biological Station, Peru
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Fee: $2450 for 5 weeks; $490 each additional week. Fee includes food and lodging at the field station, training and use of field equipment. Fee DOES NOT include transportation to field station.
For more information, including FAQ, visit our program page: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/primate-behavior-program/
Short on funding? See our scholarship opportunities:
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/scholarships/
Ready to apply? CV + 2 references required:
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/applications/raship-application/