Rhesus monkey research on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico.

We are looking for a volunteer to assist on a project examining kin
recognition on a semi free-ranging rhesus macaque population on Cayo
Santiago, Puerto Rico (USA). The project is being undertaken in the Lab
of Prof. Dr. Anja Widdig and Dr. Dana Pfefferle (Leipzig University &
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; see
http://www.eva.mpg.de/pks/index.html) The volunteer will work alongside
Dr. Pfefferle (http://www.eva.mpg.de/pks/staff/pfefferle/).

The successful applicant will be expected to work on Cayo Santiago for
5-6 days a week, and may also be required to undertake data entry and/or
processing in the later afternoon and early evenings. On Cayo Santiago,
the primary task will be to assist carrying out playback experiments as
well as to help recording rhesus macaque vocalizations. In order to do
so, appropriate training will be provided. D. Pfefferle is also happy to
explain analyses procedures that ultimately will take place on collected
data. This position is ideal for graduate students or recent graduates
looking to gain experience in fieldwork and data collection.

We prefer applicants that stay for the entire period of 6 month. However,
in the case of two very good applications (and only in this case!),
a split into two times three months is possible. In your application
please state the maximum time period you can stay.

Applicants should have a Bachelor in Biology, Ecology, Animal Behavior,
Physical Anthropology, Primatology, or a related field. Previous field
experiences (preferably in the tropics) and knowledge of Spanish is
helpful, but not necessary. In general, carrying out playback experiments
can be a protracted and patience challenging task, including many
hours of waiting for the correct situation. Thus you must be able to
maintain a positive attitude. Applicants also must be in good physical
and mental condition; feel comfortable being far away from family and
friends; be emotionally mature, energetic, and very patient; have an
excellent eye for detail; donĒt be afraid of approaching monkeys
(!); willing to work in a small team setting and follow instructions;
be able to maintain a positive and humorous attitude towards challenging
and tiring work. Although the work can be demanding and tiring, being
close to habituated primates is very rewarding and a great experience.

The language in our team is English. The successful candidate must have
medical insurance, a valid IACUC certificate (www.citiprogram.org) and
will have to provide medical test in order to be allowed to work on Cayo
Santiago (information will be provided after acceptance).

Support can be provided for housing (depending on sharing the house cost
currently range between 185 and 350 US$) and visa if needed. Depending
on whether you stay for a 3- or 6-month period, your experience and
performance, support for your flight and transportation from and to the
airport might also be provided. However volunteers have to cover the
expenses for: medical insurance, medical tests required to work on Cayo
Santiago, field clothes and personal expenses.

Term of Appointment:
>From June 20th 2011 till December 20th 2011.

Application Deadline:
Target application date is January 31st 2011, but open until a suitable
candidate has been found.

Comments:
To apply, candidates should email a brief cover letter outlining
their interests, experience, and why they wish to undertake work
on the project. They should attach a CV that includes at least
contact details of two academic reference. If asked, it will be the
responsibility of candidates that academic references are send to
dpfefferle@gmail.com. Please only send email applications.

Contact Information:
Dana Pfefferle
danapfefferle@googlemail.com