Primate-Jobs
Positions Available

Baboon Research Field Assistant

Hiring Organization:
Nicolaas Fourie, PhD Student, The George Washington University in Collaberation with the University of South Africa's Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystems Research Unit

Date Posted:
2008-03-17

Position Description:
I am looking for a field assistant to assist on a research project on baboon behaviour and physiology in the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. The reserve is situated around the Loskop Dam and covers about 148km2. A variety of large game and bird life is present in the park as well various vegetation types. The park is approximately 2 ½ a hours from Pretoria and ½ an hour from the town of Middleburg.
This project focuses on male baboon social behaviour and endocrinology. A large troop of baboons will be habituated and behavioural, hormonal and genetic data will be collected on individuals in the troop. The terrain can be rough and challenging so fitness and endurance is a must. There is comfortable research camp where researchers and assistants are housed in the park, which has electricity, internet capabilities and running water.
I’m looking for volunteers interested in primate research to assist in the habituation and recording of data from the May/June of 2008 to the May/June of 2009. The position is for a minimum of one year.
No specific qualifications are required though someone with previous field experience (esp. with primates) and any relevant qualifications is preferred. If you have any research interests and would like to collect data towards your own research I am willing to discuss such possibilities and accommodation of such interest could be made.
• Volunteers must be able to pay their own travel and living expenses.
• Accommodation will be provided.
• Volunteers need to be fit and healthy
• Volunteers must not be afraid of bugs and snakes
• Hard working (long days initially 6am to 6pm)
• Have positive attitude

Qualifications/Experience:
none required but relevant qualifications and experience preferred

Salary/funding:
None

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Accommodation is provided. Applicant must cover all own travel and living expenses.

Term of Appointment:
May/June 2008 - May/June 2009 (1 year)

Application Deadline:
30 April 2008

Comments:
1. Curriculum Vitae including relevant coursework, previous field/outdoor experience, and where/how you can be contacted
2. Letter of interest (please include dates you are available)
3. References from two persons

Contact Information:
Nicolaas Fourie
2110 G St NW
Washington, DC 20052
USA

Telephone Number:
2023446460

E-mail Address:
nfourie@gwu.edu

Questions and Comments

Questions about a specific job listing should be directed to the contact person listed for that job. Questions and comments about using the Primate-Jobs web site can be directed to Ray Hamel, Special Collections/Reference Librarian, at hamel@primate.wisc.edu or (608) 263-3512.