Volunteer Field Assistant for Primate Behavior Research in South Africa

We are looking for several volunteer field assistants to help with long-term monitoring of social behavior, feeding ecology and stress responses in wild chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) on the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. New volunteers are accepted on a rolling basis at any time of year. A commitment of 6 months or more is preferred, but we will consider shorter stays on a case by case basis.

Primary responsibilities will be the collection of behavioral and demographic data, monitoring of group movements and human-baboon interactions, the collection of fecal and urine samples for hormonal analyses, sample processing, and data entry. This is an ideal position for someone who wants to gain field experience in preparation for a graduate program in anthropology, animal behavior, or ecology. The position will provide extensive training in field methods of behavioral ecology and endocrinology.

For more information about the baboon research at the field site, see http://www.baboonsonline.org/bru/

Qualifications/Experience:
Given substantial responsibilities and a great degree of independence, candidates must be highly reliable and motivated individuals who will be able to work independently without supervision in a foreign country, and be able to provide some documentation attesting to these qualities.

Other minimum qualifications:
- good physical condition
- comfortable with living away from family and friends,
- excellent attention to detail,
- excellent social and communication skills,

Desirable but not necessary qualifications:
- prior experience with systematic data collection
- prior experience with behavioral observations on animals
- prior experience with living and working abroad

To apply, please send an email to the address given, stating clearly why you are interested in this position, your qualifications, and your availability (please mention earliest possible start date, and duration). Please attach a current CV, and have two letters of recommendation emailed directly to the same address.

Contact Information:

Steffen Foerster
Department of Biology
Barnard College, Columbia University
New York
Email: sfoerste@barnard.edu