VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANT POSITION-Switzerland

VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANT POSITION
Switzerland
Start on 1st of April and will continue through early/mid July
Volunteer

Application Deadline: 12/09/2013

VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANT POSITION to study oxidative stress in relation to social status in house sparrows in Switzerland – We are seeking a research assistant for the upcoming breeding season to join a project investigating the impact of oxidative stress and social status on the development of reproductive strategies in house sparrow. The research will be conducted in Bern, Switzerland. The work will start on 1st of April and will continue through early/mid July. Our project investigates how males with different positions in a dominance hierarchy allocate their antioxidant resources to the protection of their sperm vs. the protection of their somatic functions, and how such allocation strategies affect the quality of the sperm they produce. The project is based at the University of Neuchatel, Switzerland (PI Prof. Fabrice Helfenstein, PhD student Alfonso Rojas), but will be conducted at Hasli, Bern, Switzerland. The work of the volunteer will consist of carrying out an experiment in aviaries with house sparrows. This includes assisting the PhD student with catching and banding birds, behavioural observations, sample collection, data management and data analysis. During the conduct of the experiment we work 7 days a week and 10-12 hours a day. This is a volunteer field assistant position, thus the applicant should cover his/her own accommodation and food. Travel expenses might be covered for european applicants, and a possible stipend could be granted at the end of the season.

Applications - including a CV and a letter of motivation (1 pg.) - should be send to both: FABRICE HELFENSTEIN (EM: fabrice.helfenstein@unine.ch) and ALFONSO ROJAS (EM: alf.roja@gmail.com). Please use "Volunteer Assistant in Switzerland" as the subject and note your availability during this time period in the body of the e-mail. Applications received until 9 Dec 2013 will be given full consideration. For further information on the lab & project, see: http://www2.unine.ch/ecophy

Qualifications:
(1) BSc or higher in Biology or similar qualification, (2) Ability to work and live in small groups and sociable personality, (3) Fluent in English, (4) Ability to endure long working days, (5) Knowledge in observing & handling birds is a plus, (6) Driving license is helpful, Basic knowledge of German is helpful although not essential.